Hello, my name is Ursula Hotchin and I'm a pearl addict.
That's tough to admit but after taking over both spare bedrooms and the business is now encroaching on dining room space I think it's about time I faced my addictions.
I work from my home 'studio(s)' in the beautiful Kinglake ranges, about an hour from Melbourne, and my particular specialties are baroque pearls like these
http://www.etsy.com/listing/71094204/baroque-white-metallic-flameball-pearlhttp://www.etsy.com/listing/71016987/baroque-lavender-bronze-flameball-pearlPearls have several factors that determine value, one of these is shape. When all other values are considered equal the more perfectly round a pearl is the more rare and more valuable it is. But I have chosen to work with baroque, non round pearls for several reasons:
* Lyrebird Pearls is not trying to compete with Tiffany's or Mikimoto as these are probably the go to places for high quality traditional pearls.
* The younger a pearl is, the higher chance the shape will most closely match the perfect spherical nucleus, however the older the pearl gets, it will have a much thicker nacre, the lustre will be better, size bigger and colour will be spectacular - no treatments necessary.
* Baroque pearls are underused in fine jewellery, despite their show stopping looks. They're modern, organic and fresh and fit in well with pearl's fashionable resurgence.
*They're stunning to look at.
*They're instantly recognisable as natural cultured pearls -so everyone will know you're wearing real pearls not fakes.
...and of course, I take custom orders! I find that's really important with jewellery - necklace length, bracelet length, love those pearls but want them on silver not gold etc.. Or even that classic case of "favourite earrings, but LOST one - what can I do with the remaining pearl??"
I love talking about pearls, and am currently studying to be an evaluator as well, so find me at a market or gallery and bring your Grandma's pearls!
Ursula @ Lyrebird Pearls