What You Should Know About the Dangers of Pearling

I believe you agree that a strand pearl necklace set is very tempting. But, did you know that not a few of dangers must be passed to obtain the materials for your dream jewelry?

The job of pearl diving has nearly become obsolete but people still enjoy free diving for recreation and searching for pearls. Although a lot of fun, Pearl diving can be dangerous and in some cases even fatal because it's free-diving without equipment. Whenever swimming and diving are considered, there can be dangers of drowning. Being educated on the dangers of pearling before you go out will help ensure you not only have a good time, but that you remain safe while doing so.

The most common reason that pearl divers drown is the result of a condition known as deep water blackout. When the diver comes to the surface of the water from an exceptionally deep dive, such as 30 feet or more, they may lose consciousness due to a condition known as cerebral hypoxia. Death from drowning may result if the diver does not regain consciousness quickly.

Another common danger that is faced by anyone that is diving for pearls is known as decompression sickness. As the diver goes into the water the nitrogen and oxygen will dissolve into their body tissues. The nitrogen can create bubbles to become trapped in the lungs when the diver comes back to the surface. This can result in dizziness, loss of hearing, pain, and unconsciousness. If the diver returns to the surface too quickly and their body does not have time to diffuse these bubbles, they may experience decompression sickness.

Two pictures below show you the more or less extinct tradition of pearl diving exhibited at the Mikimoto Island pearl farming facility. However, what is shown at Mikimoto Island likely will not last long. Because of today's modern technique in pearl farming, these women's skill is no longer needed and the art of the Ama divers is soon to be lost forever.


Hypothermia is another danger that divers searching for pearls run the risk of. Many times they must dive so deeply that the water is colder than expected. Symptoms of hypothermia can include blue skin, shaking, speech that is slurred and loss of memory. In the most extreme cases, the diver may lose consciousness and can potentially end up with brain damage or suffer with a heart attack.

Another risk that not everyone considers is the danger of running into hostile sea creatures including poisonous fish, octopus, or jellyfish. Even when using a mask and a snorkel, it is difficult to see under the water, making it easy to rest a hand or foot on a dangerous creature. With the limited vision, it is also possible to run into a rocky area and get hurt.


Making yourself aware of the dangers of pearl diving before you go out and try it will help ensure that you have a safe trip and are able to enjoy it. Taking an experienced diver with you will also help make your dive an enjoyable one. Finally, those who would search for pearl necklace set must dive below ;)

Legends Behind Deadly Diamonds

Since the first discovery of jewelry, man has always been fascinated with diamonds and gems. Unfortunately, sometimes this love of jewelry can get a person into sometimes deadly trouble. There are three, although breathtaking, well known as the cursed jewels.

This first possible cursed diamond is the Koh-i-Noor diamond also known as the Mountain of Light. It has the oldest recorded history. According to legend, the diamond was stolen from the god, Krishna. At the time it was stolen, legend says that Krishna was asleep. It later appeared in Mogul chronicles as part of captured treasure around 1304. It remained with their emperors for several centuries. Unfortunate for the Mogul emperor, he lost his head while attempting to protect the diamond from a Persian attack.


The world’s best known diamond, the Hope Diamond, once weighed over one hundred and twelve carats. Legend states the curse on this diamond began after the diamond was forcefully popped from the eye socket of the Hindu Goddess Sita. According to history, the diamond was first seized by the French Jeweler Jean Baptiste Taverneir. Once he stole the diamond from the statue, it was said that he was later torn apart by wild dogs in Russia after selling the Hope Diamond.

After several years of traveling and resizing to hide its origins, the Hope Diamond ended up in possession of Henry Phillip Hope. This is where the diamond got its name. According to the legend, the curse from the diamond caused the Hope family to become bankrupt. The diamond was soon sold. After many years of traveling through many hands, the Hope Diamond was purchased by an American jeweler and donated to the Smithsonian Institute in the late nineteen fifties. Many people believe this is how he averted the curse.

The last of the cursed diamonds is the Black Orlov. Discovered in India in the early eighteen hundreds, this stone is known as the Eye of Brahma. Just as the previously cursed diamonds, this one hundred and ninety five carat diamond was said to be stolen from a Hindu idol.

The Black Orlov was named after Princess Nadia Vyegin-Orlov in the eighteen century. According to history, three of its owner’s supposedly leaped off of buildings committing suicide. All three owners were princesses, two were Russians. After entering the United States with J. W. Paris, it is said Paris leaped to his death after the sale of the black colored diamond. The curse was supposedly broken after an American jeweler, Charles S, Winston purchased the jewel.

How much of this Legends Behind Deadly Diamonds do you think is fiction?

Metal Prices Changeable Following Japan Quake

Earthquake and tsunami in Japan have an impact on changes in market prices of precious metals. The gold price is schdeuled to gain for a second day as unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, and Japan’s nuclear crisis boost demand for a protection of wealth. Platinum and palladium have touched three-month lows, reports Bloomberg.

Immediate-delivery gold bullion in fact declined $1.24, or 0.1 percent, to $1,397.64 (£865) an ounce according to the FTSE in London this morning. Gold for April delivery was 0.1 percent higher at $1,398 (£866) an ounce on the Comex in New York.

Demand for precious metals has been changeable in the past few weeks, with demand for silver rising 0.4 percent to $34.3625 (£21.28) an ounce. The silver price has dropped 6.5 percent since climbing to $36.7525 (£22.76) last week, the highest level since February 1980, when the metal reached a record $50.35 (£31.19) in New York.

Palladium was up 1.3 percent at $707.50 (£438) an ounce after earlier today falling to $688.25, the lowest level since November 30. Palladium had slumped 18 percent since hitting its highest price in a decade last month.

Bloomberg also reported, Platinum has dropped as much as 2.2 percent to $1,657.75 (£1,026) an ounce, the lowest price since December 1, and was last little changed at $1,695.57 (£1,050) yesterday.

Lady Gaga Creates Bracelet for Japan

Pop star Lady Gaga has showed her support for victims of the tsunami in Japan by creating a fundraising bracelet.

The star, famous for hits such as Poker Face as well as her outrageous sense of style, is now selling a simple white bangle on her website with the message “Pray for Japan” in English and Japanese and an image of a hand.

The price has been set at US$5 but the site is urging shoppers to increase the amount they pay at the checkout to help raise cash for Japan relief efforts, to which it claims all the proceeds from the bangles will go.

Lady Gaga’s website sells a vast selection of official merchandise, including jewellery. Some of the jewellery on sale at the site ladygaga.shop.bravadousa.com, includes necklaces with key, moniker, telephone and cross charms, as well as a rose motif ring in the style of Lola Rose.

Angelina Jolie co-Designs Charity Jewellery Collection for Asprey

World famous A-list actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie is to co-design a range of statement jewellery with former Asprey CEO and friend, Robert Procop.

The line, named The Protector, will be designed and sold with all of the proceeds going towards Jolie’s charity, the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict which helps child victims of war and natural disaster. According to reports however, the pieces will not be available in even the most high-end shops and will instead only be available if you are a customer of Procop.

The pricey pieces from the "jewelry celebrities collection" reportedly include a pale green 353-carat pendant and a tablet-shaped 12.02-carat emerald ring set in rose gold.

Angelina Jolie has long been a fan of Procop, recently being pictured in one of his pieces, a faceted black necklace set in rose gold, at the Berlin premiere of the film Salt earlier this year. This is the second time Jolie has collaborated on a jewellery line, after she and her partner Brad Pitt designed a capsule collection for Asprey last year.

Japanese Diamond Industry Escapes Deadly Tsunami

The earthquake and resulting tsunami that swept through Japan has caused thousands of fatalities. No members of the Japanese diamond industry have been hurt by the tsunami that has ravaged the country, according to the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB).

The WFDB said that to its knowledge no members of the Japanese diamond trade have been affected by the earthquake and resulting tsunami that led to the death of thousands of Japanese people last week. The WFDB added that it would be offering support to the Tokyo Diamond Exchange.

WDFB president Avi Paz said: "We have all been shocked and horrified by the pictures we have seen following the earthquakes and the tsunami. Our hearts go out to the people of Japan at this terrible time, particularly to the families of those who have perished.

"The WFDB is a global family and we all come together at times like these. On behalf of the WFDB, I would like to send my heartfelt best wishes for a speedy recovery, and to offer any help and support to our colleagues in Japan, particularly to our friends and colleagues at the Tokyo Diamond Exchange."