Learn
Learn About Pearls
For thousands of years, people have treasured pearls as symbols of wealth, beauty and purity. Today, pearls are a staple in every woman’s jewelry collection. At Mudan Boutique, we carry only the finest freshwater cultured Chinese pearls from the famous pearl city of Zhuji, in Zhejiang Province, and the tropical island of Hainan. All of our pearls are hand-selected in Shanghai. Versatile, timeless and affordable, Mudan pearls are available to fit every style and budget.
 |
| Choker, 16 inches: The classic. Can be worn with almost any neckline and any outfit, from casual to formal. |
 |
| Princess, 18 inches: A versatile length that falls slightly below the neck. Great for high necklines and nicely accents low necklines as well. |
 |
| Matinee, 24 inches: A perfect choice to wear with suits or dresses. Often worn at semi-formal occasions. |
 |
| Opera, 32 inches: Falling below the bust line, this length partners well with evening dresses. For less formal settings, you can double it over and wear it as a two-strand choker. |
 |
| Rope, 46 inches: Elegant and sexy, the pearl rope will get you noticed. Double it over or tie it in a knot for added flare. |
 |
| Lariat, 32 and 46 inches: The lariat look is great for those searching for something a little different. Usually accented with a pendant or large pearl on either end, it can be wrapped around your neck or tied in a gorgeous knot. |
Naturally occurring pearls are extremely rare and uncommon. Therefore, most pearls today are cultured. To culture a pearl, a small bead or foreign object is inserted into a mollusk to act as an irritant. In response to this irritant, the mollusk secretes layers of a substance called nacre, which forms a pearl. The nacre is the mollusk’s defense action to ease the irritation and is composed of microscopic crystals of calcium carbonate—ultimately producing a beautiful pearl.
Pearls can be divided into two classifications: saltwater and freshwater. Saltwater pearls are formed in mollusks which live in a saltwater environment such as an ocean or bay. Freshwater pearls are formed from mollusks living in rivers, streams and lakes. The Chinese were the first to create cultured pearls more than 1,500 years ago, and now lead the world in freshwater pearl production. These pearls rival their Akoya saltwater counterparts in luster, shape and quality—but come at a fraction of the cost.
Mudan Boutique’s Chinese freshwater pearls are selected according to surface smoothness, luster, shape and color. We only carry round to slightly off-round pearls with a AAA grade, B luster or higher.
Pearl grade
Grade refers to the pearl surface. Pearls with few blemishes are the most desirable. It is very rare, and extremely expensive, to find a pearl with no blemishes or imperfections.
AAA grade pearls have few or no blemishes, pits or scratches on the pearl surface.
AA grade pearls have slight imperfections on the pearl surface.
A grade pearls have several imperfections on the pearl surface.
Pearl luster
Pearl luster refers to the way light reflects from the pearl surface. The higher the luster, the more valuable the pearl.
A luster has a highly reflective surface with excellent clarity.
B luster has a good reflection of light with good clarity.
C luster has hazy or fuzzy reflection of light, clarity is mottled and chalky.
Pearl shape
Pearl shape refers to the roundness of the pearl. Pearls come in many different shapes, from perfectly round to baroque, or highly irregularly shaped. Perfectly round pearls are rare and highly prized. Near-round pearls look round or very slightly asymmetrical to the casual observer. At Mudan Boutique, we offer a variety of round, near-round and teardrop shaped pearl jewelry.
Pearl color
Freshwater pearls are available in a range of natural and dyed colors. Natural colors include lavender, pink, white and cream, silver or metallic, and gold. Color selection is primarily a matter of personal preference. We carry a selection of natural colors including white, pink, and lavender as well as dyed black pearls.
Pearl size
Freshwater pearls range in size from around 3 mm to 12 mm. Generally, the larger the pearl, the more expensive it is. Mudan Boutique offers a wide variety of pearl diameters. If you don’t see the diameter you want offered, we’d be happy to take a custom order. Just contact us.
Pearl strand length
At Mudan Boutique, we carry a range of pearl strand lengths, and can also custom order a specific length to suit your needs. For help in choosing the right strand length, please consult the chart that appears on this page.
Learn About Jade
The stone commonly referred to as jade is actually two different minerals, jadeite and nephrite. Although both minerals come in a variety of colors such as brown, white, red and lavender, the most popular and prized form of jade is a rich emerald green color.
Jade has a long and rich history, and has been revered for more than 7,000 years. In prehistoric times, jade was used to make tools and weapons because of its hardness. In ancient China, jade was attributed many special properties and a second century Chinese text described jade, the fairest of stones, as having five virtues:
• Benevolence is symbolized by its warm luster
• Loyalty is symbolized by its translucency
• Wisdom is symbolized by its melodious sound when gently struck
• Courage is symbolized by its steadfastness
• Integrity is symbolized by its purity
Today many Chinese wear jade for luck. They call jade yu, which means simply “precious stone.”
The quality of jade is assessed by several factors, including color, clarity and luster or texture. Color is mostly a matter of personal preference. A deep emerald green, or “imperial jade,” is generally considered to be the most valuable. Jade that has a high degree of clarity is also greatly valued. Clarity can be determined by holding the jade up to a light. If the light shines through easily and the jade appears almost transparent, it is a good quality stone. Jade should also have a high luster and smooth texture. Some have described a valuable piece of jade as looking like there is water running over it, giving it an almost liquid appearance.
Jade zodiacs
The Chinese zodiac has a 12-year cycle. Each year is represented by an animal that imparts distinct characteristics to its year. The year of a person’s birth is the primary factor in determining personality traits, physical and mental attributes and degree of success and happiness throughout a lifetime, or so the legend goes.
Browse our jade zodiac pendants
To learn your Chinese zodiac sign, simply find your birth year below:
| Sign | Birth Year |
| Rat | 1900 · 1912 · 1924 · 1936 · 1948 · 1960 · 1972 · 1984 · 1996 · 2008 |
| Ox | 1901 · 1913 · 1925 · 1937 · 1949 · 1961 · 1973 · 1985 · 1997 · 2009 |
| Tiger | 1902 · 1914 · 1926 · 1938 · 1950 · 1962 · 1974 · 1986 · 1998 · 2010 |
| Rabbit | 1903 · 1915 · 1927 · 1939 · 1951 · 1963 · 1975 · 1987 · 1999 · 2011 |
| Dragon | 1904 · 1916 · 1928 · 1940 · 1952 · 1964 · 1976 · 1988 · 2000 · 2012 |
| Snake | 1905 · 1917 · 1929 · 1941 · 1953 · 1965 · 1977 · 1989 · 2001 · 2013 |
| Horse | 1906 · 1918 · 1930 · 1942 · 1954 · 1966 · 1978 · 1990 · 2002 · 2014 |
| Sheep | 1907 · 1919 · 1931 · 1943 · 1955 · 1967 · 1979 · 1991 · 2003 · 2015 |
| Monkey | 1908 · 1920 · 1932 · 1944 · 1956 · 1968 · 1980 · 1992 · 2004 · 2016 |
| Rooster | 1909 · 1921 · 1933 · 1945 · 1957 · 1969 · 1981 · 1993 · 2005 · 2017 |
| Dog | 1910 · 1922 · 1934 · 1946 · 1958 · 1970 · 1982 · 1994 · 2006 · 2018 |
| Pig | 1911 · 1923 · 1935 · 1947 · 1959 · 1971 · 1983 · 1995 · 2007 · 2019 |
