Brand management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Brand management - Essay Example However, the only thing common between both the pearls is the quality, natural beauty and value of the pearl which is left only to nature. Figure 1 The Australian, 2011 Pearls can be pear-shaped, oval and at times misshapen; but the most valuable pearls for all sorts of consumers will be the round, smooth and free from marks. A strand of pearls which fits directly to the throat is a collar. The one which rests on the neck is a choker. The princess length of the strand would be the one reaching the collarbone while the matinee is 20-24 inches and Opera is 30-36 inches. Rope is all the other strands that are more than 36 inches. These are important details to understand the consumer perceptions and tastes in the pearl industry. Another aspect which is important is the origin and types of pearls. Natural pearls are the most precious pearls and unfortunately the rarest. They were originated in the Persian Gulf and have already been harvested at large. The ones available in the market tod ay are small in sizes and immensely costly. There was a time when consumers did not buy anything but natural pearls, but today the perceptions have changed. The cultured pearls are widely available and produced in pearl farms. They have contributed majorly to the pearl market today. These cultured pearls produced through a delicate process. The pearls formed through this process are not always high quality. These pearls are sorted and about 10,000 are discarded before a 16 inch strand is assembled of high quality pearls. Figure 2 Morning Dove Studios, 2012 Pearls are also found in saltwater and freshwater where there are different types of mollusks and thus they produce pearls that are different looking. Saltwater pearls are the akoya cultured pearls which are grown in Chinese and Japanese waters. These pearls are very tiny starting from 2mm to 10mm, and are cream or white colored with a round shape. They are cheaper due to their sizes. The Australian, Indonesian and Philipinnian pe arl is the South Sea pearl which is the largest pearl of all. Their size is about 9mm to 20mm and is cream, white or golden colored. The South Sea pearls are the most expensive ones as they are rare and have thick nacre. The Tahitian pearls have sizes ranging from 8mm to 16mm and they are not only found in Tahiti but also on French Polynesia islands. These pearls are known as the black pearls but are gray, green, purple, blue and black colored. Black pearls are also found in Fiji, Cook Islands and Micronesia. They are expensive. Figure 3 Chinese Pearls (United Nations University, 2013) Figure 4 Black Pearls (squidoo, 2013) Freshwater pearls grow in lakes, ponds and rivers mostly in China. Most of these pearls have the same size and shape as akoya pearls but may also be different. They are comparatively cheaper and the most common of all pearls sold. These pearls may not have the nucleus of the bead hence having thicker nacre. Imitation pearls are pearls that have a coated glass bead . These have high luster which can be easily separated from a cultured pearl by a knowledgeable jeweler. Sometimes it becomes a challenge to identify the imitated and the cultural or natural but certified gemologists from the American Gem Society can easily do the job. These pearls may also be going through processes and treatments to enhance their color or luster, and this immensely affects their value. A consumer would never want to buy one! Some of the best pearl brands today are

A few kind world for superstition Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

A few kind world for superstition - Essay Example People believe that wizards and witches speak with spiritual beings, and they have the power of either carrying out good or bad. Furthermore, because of their relationship with spiritual beings, witches and wizards have the capability of foretelling the future. This is just a superstitious belief. Superstition has four major manifestations amongst people (Davis, 2). The first type of manifestation is referred to as the vain observance manifestation (Davis, 2). Vain observance refers to the use of techniques for purposes of obtaining a result or a consequence, that by following the natural process, it would be difficult to obtain the results under consideration. A good example of vain observance is sorcery and witchcraft. Sorcery relies on spiritual beings or demonic forces for purposes of controlling other people, or causing harm to them. Furthermore, sorcery and witchcraft aims at gaining an advantage over other people through un-natural means or methods. This is for the benefit of the sorcerer, or the wizard (Murphy, 13). This aspect of vain observance has come under criticism by some leading religions such as Christianity and Islam. These religions condemn the existence of sorcerers and magicians, and they are viewed as deceiving the society. This is because they use demonic forces to manipulate and lie to the people. By looking at this crit ique, it is therefore possible to denote that even the church believes in the existence of spiritual beings, and their capabilities. The second manifestation of superstition is divination (Davis, 3). Divination refers to an attempt of gaining insight to a situation or question through an occultist process. Throughout history, many people have used divination through a variety of forms or procedures. This is by interpreting sign, events, omens, or an alleged contact with a supernatural being