Pearl jewelry has shot to the top of the news recently, as Calvin Klein and his ex-wife decided to sell three pieces of famous natural-pearl and diamond jewelry. These lovely pieces, one which is a 14-inch necklace with 28 natural pearls, once was owned by the Dutchess of Windsor. The pieces will be sold by auction at Sotheby's in New York in December 2007. Estimates of the collection's worth goes as high as $3.1 million. Klein originally paid $733,000 for the pieces at a Sotheby sale in 1987.

The pearls in this Windsor collection are from 16.8 to 9.2 mm in size and are completed by an oval clasp set with two emerald cut diamonds with a weight of 2 carats. There also are fancy shaped diamonds weighing 1 carat, which is bordered by 20 small round diamonds weighing .70 carat.

Other Klein pearl jewelry offerings at the upcoming auction will include a pearl and diamond pendant by Cartier and a pair of pearl earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels.

As can be seen with the estimated value of the Windsor pearls, natural pearls have appreciated significantly in value in the last 20 years. In April, the two-strand Indian "Baroda" pearl necklace brought $7.1 million at Christie's International New York. This set a world record for natural pearl jewelry.

The premium prices and great fame of these particular pearl jewelry pieces highlight the high place pearl jewelry has in our consciousness. There are many outstanding places to purchase pearl jewelry. Some of the most famous types of pearls include Tahitian pearls and freshwater pearls.

Tahitian cultured pearls are a dramatic black color that comes from the black lips of the oyster. They are normally referred to as black pearls. However, the color of Tahitian pearls can range from graphite to beautiful metallic silver.

The beauty and high value of natural pearls makes it assured that a famous collection of these prized jewels will make headlines again soon!

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