John Anthony Jewelers

Main Line Philadelphia GIA Report Diamonds and Fine Jewelry

133 Montgomery Avenue
Bala-Cynwyd, PA 19004-2828
Phone: (610)-664-8777
Click Here for Store Hours

Below is just a selection of some of the fine pieces of jewelry John Anthony Jewelers designs, sells and appraises ...

Pearls

Pearl JewelryFor most of us, choosing and buying anything rare is a daunting task. Few of us are experts. We can feel out of our depth when obliged to take too much on trust. You are choosing something created by a living creature. Like us, every pearl is unique. Whether for yourself or for someone else, it is a personal choice; an intuitive selection based on what is beautiful to the eye of the beholder.

Pearls are found in so many sizes, shapes and colors it is a overwhelming  task to consider all facets that affect them. Each pearl is unique inasmuch as it comes from a living creature. There is no set rule in selecting pearls. What appeals to you is the first consideration. Perhaps the following will help you in your search for the perfect pearls for you.

Luster

Just as a diamond is noticed by its brilliance and fire, a pearl draws attention by its luster. Luster refers to the surface brilliance and the sharpness of reflected light from a pearl. Luster is the paramount defining virtue of beauty and therefore value. It encompasses not only the manner in which light reflects from the pearl's surface, but also the manner in which light seems to glow from within. Luster ranges from the bright and sprightly to the warm and alluring. It catches and compliments the beauty, the moods and personality of the wearer. Like all virtues, the luster of pearls is natural. It should never be chemically modified or enhanced.

Pearl Luster Gradations

The appearance of a pearl's luster depends on nacre depth. Nacre is the substance secreted by an oyster around a foreign object that finds its way inside the oyster's shell. The surface of every pearl is the result of one or more layers of nacre. Thin nacre will often show low luster. However, heavy nacre does not necessarily guarantee high luster. Temperatures of the waters affect the production of nacre. The warm waters in the South Seas allow for the rapid rate of production of nacre but do not ensure high luster.

Size

Typical "Akoya" saltwater cultured pearls run between 2mm and 9mm; very fine 10mm strands are very hard to find, and 11mm to 11.5mm are about the maximum. In fine quality the value will increase, in fairly even steps, up to 7mm; above this size value will increase dramatically.

The large pearls are scarce, and the Australian South Sea Pearls are the largest in the world. Measured across the smallest diameter, sizes run from 8mm to an extremely rare 18mm. Only the South Sea's Mother-of-Pearl shell can create quality pearls of such size.

Shapes

Like diamonds, cultured pearls are mainly identified with one shape: The round. As pearls become increasingly distorted in shape, they are less expensive even though the luster, color and surface may be desirable.

Perfectly round pearls are the most scarce, and are valued accordingly. But there's more to pearls than just the round ones, and more to nature than the sphere. Baroque pearls with their voluptuous line and shape, the contemporary impact of the circlé pearl and the rare sensuality of the semi-baroque bring a world of exciting possibilities. Pearl shapes are categorized as either 'classical' or 'baroque'.

Common Pearl Shapes

Surface

Pearl JewelryJust as the Gemological Institute of America grades diamonds, so also are pearls; the more imperfections, the less valuable.

  1.    Flawless: most pearls appear blemish-free to the unaided eye.
  2.    Lightly spotted: many pearls have no blemishes, others have minor ones.
  3.    Spotted: most pearls show blemishes, a few of them quite obvious.
  4.    Heavily spotted: blemishes obvious on all, or almost all, pearls.

The more flawless the pearl the higher the value. But pearls are created in the ocean by a wild oyster and nature almost always leaves its mark. Even though most markings can be seen by the naked eye they are part of the unique and individualizing elements of every pearl. One oyster in a million may produce a perfect, flawless pearl.

Color

Again, the Gemological Institute of America grades a pearl's color with ratings from D to Z. The most desirable is pink-white, followed by white, cream-rosé, creamy-white and cream and gold. The more cream-colored a pearl the less its value. Subtle overtones of pink, silver, blue or green can also affect pearl value. These faint casts will enhance some colors and detract from others. These overtones are not iridescence, which displays a rainbow-like of color.

Pearl Colors

Pearls come in an array of natural colors. Like so much about pearls the choice of color is a matter of personal preference. There is traditionally a strong demand for the classic silver-white, for the glow of a golden pearl and white rosé.

Care

Care for pearls is of the utmost importance. Avoid contact with cosmetics, hair sprays, deodorants and household chemicals. Pearls should be wiped with a soft cloth after each wearing. It is advisable to have them re-strung periodically in order to increase their life and protect them. They are not indestructible. Organic nature of pearls limit life expectancy so proper care must be used in order to preserve them.

Our Diamond List

To the unsuspecting individual, buying a diamond can be a lot like walking through the jungle: hidden traps everywhere; an air of intimidation; things that aren't what they appear to be; an entirely unknown language. Without a guide, it's easy to become lost in this environment, which can lead to a bad decision. We're so confident about the quality of all our diamonds; we actually encourage you to comparison shop. John Anthony Jewelers has also put together a diamond guide so that if you comparison shop for a diamond, you'll know exactly how to compare the diamonds you'll find listed here in our inventory with others.

GIA Grading

Most jewelers use the widely accepted "GIA" grading system developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Without an "expert" such as a Graduate Gemologist to interpret, this terminology is meaningless. A Graduate Gemologist diploma ensures that an individual has successfully completed a rigorous, uncompromising course in the study of gems. Would you go to a doctor without a medical degree? Then, why would you buy a diamond from a "guy who knows diamonds"?

Selling Diamonds

There are several crucial considerations to keep in mind before you buy a diamond. Diamonds can vary greatly. Quality depends on what are commonly referred to as the 4 C’s: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight. John Anthony Jr., G. G. (Graduate Gemologist) and Appraiser is a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America. He will be delighted to provide you with the information you need to make the right choice. We have included a Diamond Buying Guide in this website precisely because we want to help you understand the importance of the 4 C’s and how each affects the price and value of the diamond you select.

Make sure you deal with a professional. John Anthony Jewelers guarantees that all our diamonds are accurately graded using strict GIA guidelines.

Gems of Color

Tanzanite

Tanzanite

Colors: Light bluish purple to rich saturated blues and purples
Sources: Tanzania (East Africa)
Hardness: 6 - 7
Durability: Should not be worn in strenuous conditions

Jade

Jade

Varieties: Jadeite: More valuable
Green, white, black, yellow to reddish orange, brown, gray, and lavender.
Imperial jade is the most valuable (rich emerald green)
Nephrite: Less valuable
Green, white, black, yellow to brown, and gray
Sources: Burma, China, California
Hardness: 6 1/2 - 7
Durability: Durable for some types of jewelry

Citrine

Citrine

Colors: Pale to saturated yellow with orange & brown modifying colors
Sources: Brazil is the primary source
Hardness: 7
Durability: Good for most type of jewelry use

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John Anthony Jewelers
Store Hours 2022

Regular Hours:  September to June
Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30am to 5:00pm
Wednesday: 9:30am to 7:00pm
Closed -- Sunday and Monday

Christmas Hours:  Thanksgiving to Christmas
Monday to Saturday 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Wednesday & Friday 9:30 am to 8:00 pm
Closed – Sunday

Summer Hours:  July thru Labor Day weekend
Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Wednesday 9:30 am to 7:00 pm
Closed -- Saturday and Sunday

Closed:
January 1st to 3rd, 2022 - (New Year Weekend)
May 28th to 30th, 2022 - (Memorial Day Weekend)
July 1st to 17th, 2022 - (Vacation)
September 3rd to 5th, 2022 - (Labor Day Weekend)
November 24th, 2022 - (Thanksgiving)
December 25th, 2022 - (Christmas Day)

For additional information, please feel free to call 610-664-8777 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thank you,
John Anthony, Jr.