Pearl Quality and Pearls in Singapore and Japan

Here's one store in Singapore with a website. They clearly state that some of the pearls are faux which is a fancy French word for false, which is a good sign.

In the UK I once went with a friend to buy a Xmas gift of a pearl necklace in John Lewis. I had always previously thought that a major department store might be reliable. However, I think you often get more interesting design in speciality shops. We were told that pearls should be re-strung every year to guard against loss. What a nuisance for the recipient.

For the amount paid for a pearl necklace, matching pearl bracelet and pearl ring - three items to worry about breaking or losing a pearl, the buyer could have bought his lady a solid gold necklace which would always have kept its value and never broken.

http://www.chomel.com.sg

Japanese shops also sell pearls. I once bought silver grey pearl bracelet, in silver, at a good price from a shop in Japan. You can either buy them on holiday in Japan or on line.

I also found a Tahiti Pearl Market on Facebook.

What to look for when buying pearls
Not so exactly round that they must be machine made.
Nor huge imperfection.
Larger pearls cost more.
The expensive lustre or mirror quality, compared with the cheaper dull matt or chalky surface.
Colours affect the price, but what colour you like may depend on your skin colour, so a cheaper colour might suit your better.
An x-ray will reveal the inside showing whether they are man-made and solid, or built in layers like a tree. A magnifying glass will show the slight irregularities of a natural pearl.

Writers on the site say that if you rub two real pearl's together, they grate, but two fake or mad-made pearls are smooth. I'm not sure I'd risk damaging my own real pearls or anybody else - unless I was sure they were fake and wanted to prove the point. That's why the real pearls are divided by knots, firstly because they are valuable so will be kept for ever, not just a season, but secondly because real pearls are more likely to scratch each other with their protrusions.

More discussion on:
http://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?1206-What-makes-a-freshwater-higher-than-AAA

More information from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, researcher, author and speaker . 

Medical kits for days out, weekends, travel to hotels and second homes

What do you take on a day trip or holiday or business trip? The first thing you think of is 'Don't forget your toothbrush'. And the toothpaste.

Toothbrush and Toothpaste
It's handy to keep a small or folding or head-covered toothbrush with a small toothpaste in your pocket or a zip up bag. Plus a comb in a case (so you don't pierce your fingertips).

Tweezers
I like the tweezers cum nail file bought from Tanna's chemist in London. They also stock a magnifying mirror for the bathroom at only £1.

Sometimes it's cheaper to buy the cheapest manicure kit than to buy all the items, or even one of the items.

Swiss Army Knife
A Swiss army knife has a built tweezers, scissors and nail file. When buying, invest in a model of knife which has the gadgets you need. If you lose the tweezers, you can buy spares from some shops. Phone first, to be sure the spares are in stock. You could buy a spare teeny tweezers to carry when your knife has to be checked in on an airline.

Sticking Plasters
I used to carry an Elastoplast UK (brand name for sticking plaster) in the zip up compartment of a tote bag. Plasters are useful for minor cuts as well as to protect blisters from rubbing shoes.

Pill Names
If you are on regular medication, it helps to paste the end of the cardboard tube inside your diary so that if you ever run out, you can show it to a pharmacist who cannot understand your verbal English.

(Also look for a lightweight corner of a leaflet in multiple languages.) At least you can put it through google translate.

Spare Pills
If I am travelling on a ten day trip I always carry enough pills for an extra 2-5 days. Then if the flight is delayed or I extend the stay I still have enough pills without wasting time on a shopping trip to get more.

Hair Dye Box End: Colour Name and Colour Chart
If you dye your hair and are away for a month after the last time you dyed your hair, you cannot take liquids on many planes, but the end paper of the box can be shown to a drug store to show that you are looking for hair dye, and what colour.

Insect Repellent and Sunscreen

Checklist
1 Toothbrush and paste
2 Comb and comb case (and/or small folding brush, ideally with mirror)
3 Tweezers, toothpick and nail file (Swiss Army knife)
4 Small magnifying mirror or YSL lipstick with mirror finish case
5 Sticking plaster / or bandage and zinc ointment for healing
6 Small shampoo (also serves as hand wash and clothes wash) or wet wipe
7 Moisturiser (for face, hands, feet).
8 Insect repellent and sun cream
9 'Stingose' or similar sting relief and / or antiseptic cream
10 Zip up waterproof wash bag

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.