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Cultured Pearl Round Table 2017

TamaraVoetsch • Aug 07, 2017

Betty Sue King , The Pearl Goddess , inaugurated King’s Ransom in 1979. After 14 years of classroom teaching she left the profession and created her wholesale business. Renowned for having pearls that extend the boundaries of opulence, she travels overseas several times a year to source her remarkable collection.
Betty Sue King

Betty Sue King, was honored with the Women’s Jewelry Association 2017 award for excellence for a Manufacturer, Dealer, Supplier . King told the audience that her parents came to the United States from China and she had lived the American dream.

Betty Sue is a member of the WJA Northern California Chapter, the GIA Alumni Association Golden Gate Chapter and a foundation member of Cultured Pearl Association of America. She received the Shining Star Award from the WJA in 2013, for having shown extraordinary service throughout the year.

As a pearl specialist her industry and public education lectures are grounded by years of classroom teaching. Her presentations include AGTA Tucson GemFair Seminars, Antique Jewelry & Art Conferences, Los Angeles County Museum, WJA, GIA at Carlsbad and Alumni Associations, SNAG, NAJA, ISA, ASA, FIT and College of Marin. Retailers appreciating their need to be better informed, call on her to train their staff about the wonders of pearls.

Editors, appraisers & writers of trade journals contact Betty Sue for the update on current products, prices and trends. She has contributed updates on cultured pearl treatments to AGTA’s Gemstone and Enhancement Brochure and to CIBJO’s disclosure policies on pearls. Her collective knowledge of pearls is frequently quoted in numerous publications.

Donations to charitable organizations go hand in hand with her philosophy of replenishing the community. Marin Abused Women’s Services, SNAG, CPAA, The Crucible in Oakland, CA, Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, Grand Circle Foundation, WJA and GIA Alumni Association are but some of the beneficiaries of the Pearl Goddess’ treasures and cash contributions. She’s served many holiday meals at Glide Memorial Church of San Francisco and is a retired Sustainer of the Junior League of San Francisco. When president of the Phoenix Desert Jade Junior Women’s Club she visited the child sponsored in Hong Kong.

Modern Jeweler, January 2009 published her essay, “How Green Are Your Pearls?” an ecological view of pearl cultivation. In GIA’s Loupe she is quoted often in the January 2009 on line issue “Asia’s Cultured Treats”. Pearl World Journal quoted from her notes on the GIA Pearl Tour of the South Pacific in 2007 and printed her photographs from the 2008 trip. The June 2008 issue of Canada’s Jewellery Business Magazine published her article on “Pearls 101”. She reviewed the book Pearls, A Natural History for the GIA publication, “Gems & Gemology”. Her experiences as one in the trenches in the pearl industry can be read in her chapter in Auction Market Resource , June 2002, “Cultured Pearls Galore: A Tucson Retrospective”. An avid photographer, many of her images have been published in magazines, books and used on the GIA website. Her avant-garde round freshwater cultured pearls graced the cover of GIA Summer 2000 G & G.

The Sunday New York Times, cooking gourmet meals, dining, movies, gardening, orchids, and staying connected with wonderful friendships made traveling throughout the world top the list of her favorite things. A safari to countries in Southern Africa was memorable for being completely off the grid. It was fabulous and humbling to experience the cultures of indigenous people, their kindness, open hearts and dedicated spirits.

“Pearls without limits for designs without boundaries” is her creed. In addition to pearls, Betty Sue has been working with natural diamond crystals long before they were a major trend in jewelry. Beautiful, unusual and seductively sublime pearls and diamond crystals with unique allure are her selection criteria.

You may follow Betty Sue’s pearly finds and adventures on Facebook. She travels three times a year seeking inspirational pearls on overseas buying trips. On her return, designers eagerly await to be first in line for new treasures. Clients are welcomed to a relaxed setting in King’s Ransom’s sunny office where design inspiration begins anew.

Bonds in industry and public service enrich life reinforcing her belief – success is best when shared. Betty Sue King shines at providing “Pearls without limits for designs without boundaries” . Her passion for knowledge, personal service, ethical practices and mentoring are the foundation of King’s Ransom, the Pearl Goddess.

What Kind of Pearls Do I Have?

By Tamara Voetsch • 31 Oct, 2023
There are several types of pearls, each with its unique characteristics and value. Here are some of the most common types:

Pearls

By Tamara Voetsch • 25 Oct, 2023
Deco Pendant with Cultured Tahitian Pearl

Tips For Keeping Your Jewelry Safe

By Tamara Voetsch • 25 Oct, 2023
Routine inspections and cleanings help assure that your jewelry is in good condition. During an inspection, we will look for broken or worn prongs, weak clasps, or other damage before you lose a diamond or break a strand of pearls.

Viva Magenta

By Tamara Voetsch • 07 Feb, 2023
What is Viva Magenta?
cultured Tahitian South Sea pearls

A Quick Overview of Pearl Types From GIA

By TamaraVoetsch • 27 May, 2021
What are the main types of cultured pearls and what are their distinctive characteristics?     Akoya pearls are the small white pearls that most people picture when they think of pearls. They are saltwater pearls, and are usually round and white or cream, with a pink overtone and high luster. They are typically less than 9.00 mm.    … The post A Quick Overview of Pearl Types From GIA appeared first on Official Jewelry By Design Website.

Gemstone Games During Quarantine, or Anytime!

By TamaraVoetsch • 09 Apr, 2020
Are you homeschooling or looking for something different to do with the kiddos? Our partner and fabulous gemstone cutter, Roger Dery has provided us with games for kids of all ages. Link here to find your games! Scroll down for grown-up games.   Some of you may remember our GEMSTONE ROUNDTABLE EVENT with Roger and Ginger Dery several years ago.… The post Gemstone Games During Quarantine, or Anytime! appeared first on Official Jewelry By Design Website.

History of Ruby

17 Jun, 2018
This post is from the Gemological Institute of America’s website, one of the most accurate sources of gemological information available. https://www.gia.edu/ruby-history-lore If you are interested in learning more about gemstones, we recommend checking out this site. (You can ask us anything too!) History of Ruby Red is the color of our most intense emotions—love and anger, passion and fury. It’s associated with objects of power and desire—like fast cars and red roses. Early cultures treasured rubies for their similarity to the redness of the blood that flowed through their veins, and believed that rubies held the power of life. Ruby is one of the most historically significant colored stones. Rubies are mentioned four times in the Bible, in association with attributes like beauty and wisdom. In the ancient language of Sanskrit, ruby is called ratnaraj, or “king of precious stones.” In the first century AD, the Roman scholar Pliny included rubies in his Natural History , describing their hardness and density. Ancient Hindus believed that those who offered fine rubies to the god Krishna were granted rebirth as emperors. Hindus divided ruby into four castes, calling the true Oriental ruby a Brahmin. Someone in possession of a Brahmin was believed to have the advantage of perfect safety. Ruby has accumulated a host of legends over the centuries. People in India believed that rubies enabled their owners to live in peace with their enemies. In Burma (a ruby source since at least 600 AD—now called Myanmar), warriors possessed rubies to make them invincible in battle. However, it wasn’t enough to just wear the rubies. They had to insert them into their flesh and make them part of their bodies. The name ruby comes from the Latin word ruber, which means “red.” The glowing red of ruby suggested an inextinguishable flame burning in the stone, even shining through clothing and able to boil water. Ruby has been called the most precious of the 12 stones created by God. Ruby retained its importance with the birth of the western world and became one of the most sought-after gems of European royalty and the upper classes. Many medieval Europeans wore rubies to guarantee health, wealth, wisdom, and success in love. Desire for ruby is just as great today as it always has been. As a symbol of passion, ruby makes an ideal romantic gift. Consumers are drawn to the lush color because it also signifies wealth and success. Source: GIA.edu

Birthstones and Lore of Gemstones

By TamaraVoetsch • 26 Mar, 2018
There are numerous legends and myths about birthstone healing powers and their therapeutic influence. According to these legends, wearing a gemstone during its assigned month heightened its healing powers. For the full effect, individuals needed to own all twelve and alternate them monthly. January January birthstone is garnet and thought to keep the wearer safe during travel. It was also used… The post Birthstones and Lore of Gemstones appeared first on Official Jewelry By Design Website.

Peridot is August’s Birthstone

By TamaraVoetsch • 19 Aug, 2017
Peridot The fresh lime green of peridot is its distinctive signature. Its spring green color also is ideal with sky blue. Peridot, along with Spinel, is the birthstone for August, and is harder than metal but softer than many gemstones.   Peridot is treasured in Hawaii as the goddess Pele’s tears. The island of Oahu even has beaches made out of… The post Peridot is August’s Birthstone appeared first on Official Jewelry By Design Website.

Modern Anniversary Gemstones

By TamaraVoetsch • 06 May, 2017
This is a fun tradition to start with your beloved! You can research ideas all year for clever ways to give a gemstone. Maybe you start with the rough crystal form and create a collection of specimens that represent your lives together. Our website has options for  most of         these gemstones too. We love to help… The post Modern Anniversary Gemstones appeared first on Official Jewelry By Design Website.
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