The new proposal of New York Governor, David Paterson, for the state budget comes as a disappointment to most of the luxury good buyers. He proposed a $21.1 billion budget, thus increasing 5% sales tax on luxury goods that cost above $20,000 which would also include Jewelry.

The purchases of aircraft's which costs more than $500,000; yachts that cost $200,000 or even cars that cost $60,000 would be highly effected and the sales would go down. The proposal comes about to fill the $ 15.4 billion deficit over two years which does not only include a tax increase, but also involves job layoffs and reduction in school aids. This is in effect for 2009-2010 fiscal year budget.

On one hand where we see the increase in taxes, the other side also sees that sales tax has been exempted on clothing and footwear that cost less than $110. This comes as a good Christmas news for the general public. In addition to this, there will also be a twice a year tax holiday during which any clothing or footwear under the cost $500 would not be subjected to sales tax.

Paterson remarked in his morning presentation "In his inaugural address, President Franklin Roosevelt told a nation in the grips of the Great Depression that now is 'the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly,'"Today, we, too, cannot shrink from the challenges ahead". He said this budget presentation is in view to deal with the historical financial crisis of New york.

Pearls are the most elegant when it comes to jewelry selection. People with sophisticated life styles prefer wearing pearl jewelry rather than stone jewelry that’s because the color of pearl that is white indicates sophistication. Women love pearls for its beautiful look and usually working women love wearing them because of it stylish yet elegant look.

How real pearls are made:

The main source of mother of pearl is pearl oyster found in warm and tropical seas. It is mainly found in rivers of United States, Europe and Asia. Mother of pearl that is Nacre is a composite material produced by mollusks. Mollusks are animals belonging to phylum Mollusc. Mollusc blood is rich in dissolved calcium .This calcium is deposited as calcium carbonate during shell deposition and layers of calcium carbonate is deposited into the inner layer of the shell where it hardens over a period of time and then we get the precious pearls.

Types of Pearls:

Fresh water pearls are found in Lakes, River, ponds which come from freshwater mussels. They are usually irregular in shapes but can be found in round shapes.

Salty water pearls are found Oceans, Seas etc and they come from salt water oysters. They again are irregular in shape and also perfect round shapes.

They are other type of pearls that come from Snails.

Pearls come in different beautiful colors like White, Black, Lavender, Pink, and Peach.
Authentication of pearl:

There are different methods that can help us find the difference between real and fake pearl.

1. When we rub two real pearls with one another than we feel friction between them and if there wouldn’t be any damage to the real pearls and if there was any scratch on the real pearl than rubbing them would disappear that scratch and the pearl would look as if nothing ever happened to it.

Where as if we rub two fake pearls than we would see that the pearl would loose its color and end up having scratch on it.

2. When we burn a real pearl than nothing really happens to it because real pearl is fire resistant and if we  find burn mark on it just clean it with a cloth or hand than you see the shiny pearl underneath.

Where as if we burn a fake pearl than it would surely melt a little and we can find its authentication.

3. When we don’t have two pearls to rub with each other than we can test a single pearl by rubbing it gently against top incisor (tooth). Rubbing real pearl creates little friction where as fake pearl will feel smooth over your tooth.

Well all the above tricks really work well when a seller allows you to test it or shows himself.  But finally no one would like to spend their precious money just for a fake pearl rather than a real pearl. So be brave and ask for the test or leave that seller and try another seller.

Finally if one is thinking of gifting something to their moms, aunties, grandma and friends than pearls would be the perfect gift.

Check out our Stores for Sparkling Pearl Jewelry