Showing posts with label Life style. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life style. Show all posts

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Do Genes Affect How You Respond to a Placebo

When I wrote about the placebo effect a couple of months ago, scientists didn't have any real understanding of why placebo works for some people but not others. Some patients can think themselves out of pain (the best-known placebo effect), but others cannot. Some patients with Parkinson's disease can take a sugar pill and, through the power of belief and hope, see their symptoms improve—but not all. Some patients, having experienced the respiration-depressing effects of morphine, will find their breathing becoming shallower even when they're injected with an inert solution, not morphine; others experience no such placebo effect. The difference, it turns out, may come down to the levels of particular neurotransmitters that carry messages through the brain, and those levels may reflect genetic differences.


In the August issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, scientists led by Andrew Leuchter of UCLA will report that in patients with major depressive disorder, variants of two genes affect whether someone will respond to a placebo. (The genes have no effect on whether someone will develop major depression in the first place.)

The genes that matter are those that make enzymes called catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A). That makes sense if you believe that one way the placebo effect works is by goosing the brain's natural reward pathways. Those pathways run on two neurotransmitters, dopamine and norepinephrine. "Most research on how placebos work now focuses on the brain's reward system and on dopamine signals," Leuchter told me by e-mail. "Our work suggests that norepinephrine should be examined as well. Dopamine and norepinephrine actually work hand-in-hand to manage reward information. One way to think of it is that dopamine helps an individual expect a reward, and norepinephrine helps you sustain attention on the possible reward and figure out how it can be achieved. We theorize that a person has to have the optimal level of norepinephrine in order to sustain the placebo response." COMT breaks down dopamine; MAO-A breaks down norepinephrine. The scientists therefore guessed that levels or forms of these enzymes would affect brain levels of the reward chemicals and thus whether that brain is more or less likely to respond to a placebo.

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Friday, July 17, 2009

Finding Mr Right: 7 Tips from the Movies

If you're looking for romance, Hollywood has all the answers

There’s a lot of talk about what the meaning of life might be, but everyone really knows it’s romance: Finding Mr (or Miss) Right and raising a few kids is the principal motivation for every living thing from mushrooms to monarchs.



Sometimes,though, it’s hard to find the right partner. Sometimes it’s hard to find any partner. Naturally the geniuses of cinema are on hand to show us how it’s done.


1. FIRST FIND YOUR TERRORIST

Far and away the best method of building a lasting relationship is to be involved in some kind of hostage drama or dangerous cross-country chase. From The 39 Steps through to Speed – indeed as far as Speed 2 – young men and women have been finding their true love at the point of a gun.

Gunfire and peril is such a reliable relationship builder, in fact, that it can reunite estranged couples just as well as it can forge new ones: Just take a look at the most recent Indiana Jones film. Or Die Hard. Or Die Hard 2.




2. LOSE YOUR SCRUPLES

If you’re serious about romance, there’s no place for morals. Sham weddings are a great way to kick-start a marriage. Sandra Bullock’s top relationship tip is to order a subordinate to marry you. She’s demonstrating that one right now in current cinema release The Proposal. It’s by no means a new idea: Gerard Depardieu and Andie McDowell first hit on the fake marriage ploy way back in 1990 with Green Card. It’s as sound a foundation for lasting love as it was then.

Don’t be coy, either, about underhand tactics to eliminate a potential rival. Back in 1937 The Awful Truth showed how shabby acts can ease the way for true love. It also featured a really sweet dog.

In the classic Howard Hawks comedy His Girl Friday Cary Grant repeatedly gets his ex-wife’s fiancé arrested on trumped-up charges until the poor chap sees reason and withdraws from the fray. If you’re serious about settling down with your dream man or woman, make sure you enlist a few corrupt cops.



3. PLAY HARD TO GET

The grass is always greener on the other side, forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest and,(although it’s not strictly relevant) a stitch in time saves nine. Nobody wants love handed to them on a plate, it’s unsanitary for one thing, and Hollywood has shown this time and time again.

From the firecracker bickering of classic screwball comedies such as It Happened One Night or The Lady Eve to the tongue-tied predictability of How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days . Julia Roberts proved in I love Trouble that even irascible bears like Nick Nolte can fall for a girl as long as she’s rude enough.

Gunfire and peril is such a reliable relationship builder, in fact, that it can reunite estranged couples just as well as it can forge new ones: Just take a look at the most recent Indiana Jones film. Or Die Hard. Or Die Hard 2.



4. DON’T BE FUSSY


We’re conditioned by stories like Cinderella and Snow White to believe that there’s one true love out there for us all. Unfortunately, as the manufacturers of moisturising creams the world over like to remind us, we won’t look this good forever. Sooner or later it’s time to settle. When Harry Met Sally is a perfect lesson in how to win at romantic musical chairs: try to find The One but always keep your backup spouse close to hand.

If you still haven’t dated anyone by the time you’re 40 don’t hold out for perfection – learn from The 40 Year Old Virgin and hook up with the first person that shows even halfway willing. Best advice of all comes from the latest Katherine Heigl effort The Ugly Truth (above). He may be an ill-mannered misogynistic boor but he’s still a man, dammit and once you’ve passed thirty that’s good enough

5. BE A NERD


Of course romance comes easily to nerds. The movies tell us that again and again. We’ve already discussed The 40 Year Old Virgin, where a dysfunctional shut-in with minimal cool marries super-groovy Catherine Keener. Bridget Jones’s Diary extols the irresistible appeal of the female klutz. Annie Hall ups the ante by bringing two entirely different grades of nebbish together in one majestic loser romance.


6. BE LUCKY

If you can’t be a nerd, be lucky. Whether it’s something as unlikely as winning a lottery (It Could Happen To You) or an everyday piece of good fortune like being selected to write the lyrics for a guaranteed Number One single even though you’re just a gardener (Music & Lyrics) there really is no substitute for sheer good fortune. If you don’t have luck, make some – pitch up at a stranger’s wedding. Never fails.



7. WHEN ALL HOPE IS LOST, GET A PROFESSIONAL IN

You wouldn’t dream of rewiring your own house. Unless you’d eaten a lot of cheese before bedtime or something. So why organize your own relationships? If we’ve learned anything from Pretty Woman, it’s that common street prostitutes are generally wholesome, marriageable young women. Experts in leaving home (Failure To Launch) and relationship counsellors (Hitch) will definitely marry you as long as you pay them a lot of money first.

You should engage your professional with caution though: if The Wedding Planner has a message for us it’s this: the woman you hire to help you pick out some flowers will probably run off with the groom.



Source : TO

Astrological Patterns and Detachment

Over the past several months I have been exposed to a particular astrological pattern. I have quite honestly never seen such a natal configuration. I can only draw one conclusion and it is somewhat staggering in its implications. Apparently it is NOW time for me to recognize this concept since I have seen it three times over the last six months. Prior to this I have not seen this dynamic in nearly 30 years of astrological investigation. There ARE no coincidences.

Imagine an empty astrological wheel. Now picture most of the planets all lined up in one house, with only one planet outside of this concentration of planets. In each case, the bulk of planets are located in Aquarius, and the lone planet is Neptune and in each chart squares the concentration of planets. The square, which is a 90 degree angle, is considered a karmic stressor.

Anytime a chart carries three or more planets in a specific house there will be some confusion due to competing planetary energies and is referred to as a Stellium. But, when all or most of the planets are concentrated into one particular house or sign, a locomotive pattern is in effect, and clearly indicates a one pointed focus or direction, usually led by the planet in the lead position of this pattern.

Aquarius represents multiple qualities; too many to list here. Aquarius is an Air sign, that is, of a mental nature. It is powerfully connected to the universal mind. Though highly energetic and spiritual, it may be considered somewhat cold and detached - definitely not of an emotional nature, as the water signs. Aquarians often struggle with emotional issues. Aquarians seem to dance to a different drummer, and the drummer is a high spiritual vibration.

Neptune represents the spiritual octave of love. It is very mystical, extremely emotional. Many, if not most, of the spiritual sensitivities exhibited by psychics have some correlation with Neptune in a favorable configuration with other planets. But, Neptune in an unfavorable angle with other planets, such as the square or opposition, indicates emotional attachment, depression, obsession and even possession in extreme cases.

I have the opportunity every day to witness and examine individual lives, from an astrological perspective. I am on an intense learning curve, and I have often expressed that I couldn't pay for this education. I am truly blessed and grateful. It is so very easy to become detached - the study of astrology does confer a certain objectivity which contributes clarity for the client. Because of this, I have been embracing that detachment as a goal, and not a process. I was wrong. These are my conclusions.

The three charts that I have examined, the people that are represented, share a common history and destiny. All exhibit an extremely high spiritual path. All are successful in their particular life course. All grew up being so different from the norm that they easily detached from the common drama of living, and once again followed their comfortable path of high spirituality, but from a purely mental perspective - somewhat disconnected from the emotional. Each of them were exposed to a situation, designed to shake them out of their intellectual safety and send them into the emotional depths of misery. Clearly emotional shock treatment. The interesting fact is that this is pretty much why these personalities came into this particular incarnation - not much else going on, for any of them.

Detachment is extremely important on a personal level. Getting out of our "drama" is key to positive change. But this is only a step. When we detach from others we are missing the component that runs the universe: LOVE. Remember, Neptune represents the spiritual octave of Venus. These personalities came back only to return to Source with that piece. Hearts ripped open, now bleeding, they understand.

"We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time..."

"When the tongues of flame are in-folded Into the crowned knot of fire And the fire and the rose are one."-T.S.Eliot

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

An orgasm a day keeps the doctor away!

Sex everyday keeps the doctor away - that is the advice from the British National Health Service to school students.


Yes, a NHS report is advising school pupils that they have a "right" to an enjoyable sex life and that regular intercourse can be good for their cardiovascular health, 'The Sunday Times' reported.

The advice report appears in guidance circulated to parents, teachers and youth workers, and is intended to update sex education by telling students about the benefits of sexual pleasure.

Alongside the slogan "an orgasm a day keeps the doctor away", the report states: "Health promotion experts advocate five portions of fruit and veg a day and 30 minutes' physical activity three times a week. What about sex or masturbation twice a week?"

According to the authors, for too long experts have concentrated on the need for safe sex and loving relationships while ignoring the main reason that many people have sex, that is, for enjoyment.

Steve Slack, director of the Centre for HIV and Sexual Health at NHS Sheffield, who is one of the authors, said that far from promoting teenage sex it could encourage young people to delay losing their virginity until they are sure they will enjoy the experience.

Mr Slack believes that as long as teenagers are fully informed about sex and are making their decisions free of peer pressure and as part of a caring relationship, they have as much right as an adult to a good sex life.

Friday, July 10, 2009

101 uses for a man

1 Whistling at you in the street on your 41st birthday (this should be a state-funded initiative).
2 Model railways, the running and maintenance of.
3 Pigeon fancying.
4 Particle physics.
5 Eating up the elderly tub of coleslaw in the back of the fridge after an evening at the pub.
6 Opening all those terrifying brown envelopes that the bank will insist on sending you.
7 Catching spiders.
8 Bringing you tea in bed in the mornings.
9 Forgetting your anniversary, but then wildly overcompensating with a completely over-the-top gesture, preferably involving diamonds.
10 Making your limited capacity for grooving look positively Madonna-esque by dancing around you wildly, arms and legs jerking like a demented puppet.
11 Lending you (often without knowing it) a razor.
12 Parking.
13 Ensuring that the children learn to play happily on their own by applying special male method of childcare, namely sitting on the sofa reading the paper while they set fire to the house.
14 Keeping Coleen Rooney in handbags by continuous funding of endless, dreary football games.
15 Explaining the rules of cricket, slowly and in words of one syllable, every two years.
16 Baring his bottom on stag nights.
17 Helping to keep you fit and supple by generously leaving towels, socks and other items of personal attire dotted around the floor for you to pick up.
18 Supporting the luxury car market with the purchase, on his 50th birthday, of a meno-Porsche.
19 Patronising you at parties.
20 Being the Pope.
21 Cartography, and all its many delights.
22 Trying very hard to distract you in the delivery room by telling you about the time he got really badly constipated and had to go to hospital and, you know, the consultant said that sometimes the pain can be almost as bad as the agony of labour . . .
23 Using the last drop of milk before, very helpfully, putting the empty carton back in the fridge.
24 Looking nice in a dinner suit. Every man has an inner James Bond.

25 Stocking the iPod with obscure (albeit largely unlistenable) punk music from the 1970s, even though he went to a nice grammar school and has never even owned a pair of DMs, let alone used them to stamp on a hippy’s head.
26 Driving up very close behind you on the motorway and flashing his lights repeatedly. So sweet to notice your new highlights . . .
27 Being a rock star. Florence and the Machine is all very well, but no match for, say, the raw guitar strut of Caleb out of Kings of Leon (silly name, silly beard, very sexy boy whichever way you cut it).
28 Loading all the glasses the wrong way up in the dishwasher.
29 Overfeeding the dog.
30 Saying, “Oh, so that explains it” in a cryptic voice the day you get your period.
31 Making the inventor of the electric nose-hair clipper very, very rich.
32 Doing lots of very important pointing and shouting.
33 Hunting — and gathering — on the wild Burgundian plains.
34 Catching man-flu.
35 Feeding your children raw barbecue sausages (“It’ll build up their immune systems!”).
36 Removing dead mice from the house.
37 Losing the keys for the roofbox.
38 Blaming you for losing the keys to the roofbox — then finding them in his coat pocket.
39 Making sure that every last pot and pan in the kitchen gets used to its full potential when cooking special Daddy spagbol for Sunday lunch.
40 Building large, pointy metal tubes, filling them with explosives and firing them into the air.
41 Encouraging Britain’s thriving shed manufacturing industry.
42 Insisting that only he can be trusted to drive on the right-hand side of the road in a foreign country and then going the wrong way round the roundabout at the exit from the airport, careering into an oncoming Fiat Panda, arguing furiously with the police and ensuring that the first night of your Italian holiday is spent in a Sicilian jail.
43 Not calling when he says he will.
44 Doing those really strange man-bonding handshakes.
45 Alphabetising your record collection.
46 Being able to wear the same pair of shoes for 25 years before buying a new pair.
47 Accidentally stroking your bottom while directing you to your chair.
48 Codpieces, the wearing of.
49 Eating full-size Mars bars.
50 Inventing Prog Rock.
51 Drinking warm fermented hops.
52 Listening to Wagner.
53 Being a murderous despot (go on, name a female murderous despot).
54 Letting the lawn grow free and wild. It’s not a lawn, it’s an eco-meadow!
55 Warming the bed.
56 Making those trips to Ikea such a stress-free delight.
57 Reading, and actually understanding, instruction manuals for small electrical devices.
58 If not exactly fixing the car, then at least looking purposeful until the AA turns up.
59 Ordering a lovely big bowl of chips in a restaurant which you then eat most of — without, of course, having actually ordered any yourself.
60 Mixing the perfect gin and tonic

61 Remembering the rules to Canasta.
62 Standing behind you for emotional support as you creep downstairs to investigate those strange noises . . .
63 Remembering the relevance of minor characters in The Sopranos
64 Constructing your son’s 10,000-piece Lego Death Star.
65 Doing price comparisons for car insurance.
66 Setting the sat-nav.
67 Finishing off that glass of wine you poured an hour ago but never got round to drinking.
68 Having more hair on his legs than you.
69 Working out how to fold up the wretched double buggy.
70 Doing up the zip on your dress.
71 Keeping the local Indian takeaway in business.
72 Eating the children’s leftovers (it makes the eco-wash on the dishwasher much more effective).
73 Sky Plus-ing The Wire.
74 Making sure there’s always enough party ice in the freezer.
75 Sweetly buying you size 12 underwear when in actual fact you’re at least a size 16.
76 Helping the children with their trigonometry homework.
77 Always having at least three glasses of water in the vicinity of the bedside table – even if two of those glasses are at least a week old.
78 Going to the dump.
79 Eating cornichons.
80 Delivering a rip-roaring best man speech.
81 Leaving all the drawers and cupboard doors in the house very slightly open.
82 Being Father Christmas, and beards in general.
83 Opening jars (as loosened by you).
84 Regularly contracting obscure and incurable tropical diseases (as diagnosed on Google), only to recover miraculously just in time for the cricket.
85 Snoring.
86 Carving.
87 Watering the toilet seat. What is it, a plant?
88 Doing the Atkins diet. Fried eggs, sausages, lard: what’s not to like?
89 Wearing comedy swimming trucks.
90 Loving his mummy.
91 Making fire.
92 Putting things very helpfully in the general vicinity of the washing machine – but never switching it on (or hanging the stuff out afterwards).
93 Managing to ruin a perfectly plumped-up sofa within precisely three seconds.
94 Keeping all those lovely old gentlemen-only clubs from going under.
95 Going up into the loft.
96 Making sure there are at least four radios in the house that are tuned to John Humphrys at any given time.
97 Presenting Top Gear.
98 Doing air guitar.
99 Suddenly remembering a very pressing telephone call whenever there’s even the whiff of a dirty nappy.
100 Diving, in exotic destinations.
101 Never (or only very occasionally) wanting to borrow your favourite dress.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Different Flavors of Dreams

let's take a look at some of the different kinds of dreams you may experience.
Precognitive Dreams
Some people are visited by precognitive dreams, which foretell the future. Usually when having such a dream, the dreamer will get consistent recognizable feelings accompanying the dream, as a signal that the future is being laid out in dream form for them. For instance they might be presented with the picture of a very glaring white or gold light at the beginning of their dream.4494450-480x720
Nightmares
Nightmares are the subconscious’ way of bringing something to our attention that we are just not acknowledging. If we continually resist or decide we won’t address certain issues in waking life, sooner or later they catch up to us. In dream language, they come out as “nightmares.” These kinds of dreams are something we can’t ignore. We either wake up in a cold sweat or find ourselves trembling. That’s when we no longer can be in denial, but rather start wondering what this all means.
Whichever type of dream you have, remembering them and analyzing them will help lead you to a much richer, inner life. And this, in turn, will lead to a happier, more fulfilling “waking” life.
Lucid Dreams
Lucid dreams occur when we are in a state of consciousness somewhere between sleep and wake. In this state we are aware that we are dreaming, and can control the outcome of our dream. We can turn and face our fears in the guise of that big ugly monster, or travel around the corner to see what is actually waiting there.
It is somewhat difficult, though, to maintain this delicate state. Great teachers have suggested that by concentrating on a stable object, such as your hands, you will be better able to maintain the balance.
These dreams usually occur in the final hours of dreaming and are frequently signaled by a particular symbol. For some the onset of lucid dreaming begins with the feeling that they are watching themselves completing a task. For others it is the appearance of an extraordinary bright light. Some have noticed the sensation of floating in the air, which signals they are having a lucid dream.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Does Death Come in Threes?


MJ Farrah You may have heard that Ed McMahon died several days ago, and today brought tidings of the passing of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson...so is there truth to the adage "death comes in threes?"
History has countless similar stories. On November 22, 1963 John F. Kennedy, Aldous Huxley and C.S. Lewis all died.
Obviously people die every day but it seems to be especially shocking when the famous, those seemingly invincible stars that we admire, show that they are made of the same stuff as the rest of us.
R.I.P.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Beat the Heat With These Hairstyles

During the summer, it can be close to impossible to keep your hair a certain way, especially if it tends to get frizzy. Luckily, there are some hairstyles that will not only keep you looking hot all summer, but will also keep the heat and the frizziness away.
Kate Hudson Wavy HairWavy Hair
Wavy hair is one of the easiest styles to pull off, plus it looks great in the summer. To get Kate’s look, divide damp hair into three sections and braid each. Run a flatiron over the braids and undo them. Finish off with a light hairspray.
Zoe Saldana half-up half-down hairHalf-Up, Half-Down
The summer’s humidity can make your hair curly and wavy, so don’t fight it off. Instead, let your hair naturally dry, but keep it out of your face by pulling the front section back and pinning it, so you get a half-up, half-down style like Zoe Saldana.
Diane Kruger Fishtail BraidFishtail Braid
Braids are huge this summer, so don’t be afraid to pull one off. To get Diane Kruger’s look, take your hair and put it off to the side (either left or right, whichever you prefer). Start by braiding your hair and stop at the ends. Secure with an elastic and secure any other pieces of hair that might have fallen out with bobby pins in the back.
Evangeline Lilly Sexy PonytailSexy Ponytail
Here’s how to get Evangeline Lilly’s provocative ponytail. Start by working a texturizer through damp roots to get some lift. Tease your roots at the crown and then gather all the hair into a tight eye-level ponytail. Use a densly-bristled brush to smooth the sides. Finish off by backcombing the top inch of the tail for added volume.
Vanessa Minillo Pulled Back HairSwept Away
To keep your hair out of your face during those humid summer months, gather it off your face, pulling back the top section from ear to ear like Vanessa Minnillo. Tease your hair first to create some volume, smooth it back with a brush, and secure everything loosely at the base of your crown. Add texture to your hair by misting it with a sea-salt spray.

Source :Style tips

Saturday, June 13, 2009

What should you know before buying pearls?

The famous phrase "Diamonds are a girl's best friend" may be true, but there's always a special place in women's heart for pearls - the subtle and modest adornments of femininity. Pearls have been valued and used for jewelry for centuries. Pearls were quite rare before the era of cultured pearls, so they were available for noble people only, but these days they are available for everyone. What should you know before buying pearl necklace or other pearl jewelry? Buying jewelry might be a hard task if you are not familiar with classification of pearls and requirements applied for them. First of all, take a look at the label, it should provide all the necessary information (type, grade, shape, size etc.). You can choose between natural, cultured and glass pearls. Natural pearls are the most valuable; therefore they are the most expensive. Cultured gems are less valuable but they look just like natural pearls for untrained eye. Glass pearls are imitation used for cheap jewelry
. If you choose glass pearls, you should know that the layer of dye is usually very thin and the more you wear/touch the imitation the sooner the luster fades and the dye crumbles.
Natural pearls are pretty rare and jewelry with natural pearls is even rarer. Pearls found on jewelry shop are most likely cultured ones. There are several types of cultured pearls: Akoya, Freshwater pearls, Black Tahitian, White and Gold South Sea pearls. Akoya pearls are classic beauties
- they are round, they have reflective luster and they come in traditional silvery-blue, crème and rosy colors. This type is the most treasured and the most popular. Freshwater pearls come in soft pastels as well as in incredible hues. Tahitian pearls offer variety of colors as well but they are mostly known for their bold shapes. White or Golden South Sea pearls are valued for great size as they are much bigger than other cultured pearls. This type is also known for color palette: White and Golden South Sea pearls catch an eye with subtle silver and golden shades.
Unfortunately there's no grading system for all types of pearls, but many vendors have accepted A-AAA grading structure. The "AAA" valuation indicates gems with the best quality and properties. "AA" grade pearls have some comparatively small flaws like fine wrinkles on a surface. "A" level marks the lowest quality pearls that are still suitable for jewelry. These may have spots and even cracks on the surface; the luster is usually poor and there are other flaws. "A+" and "AA+" indicates gems that have better quality than average of their league.
Hanadama pearls are the best quality Akoya pearls. Reflective properties of these gems are much sharper than other pearls have. Hanadama pearls are known for this mirror-like reflection ability and silver-rose color.
Pearls that are shaped differently than standard shapes are called Baroque pearls. They are irregular but they are suitable for jewelry as well.
Why should you remember these facts when looking for jewelry? Different types of cultured pearls are valued differently; the price and the look of pearls greatly differ because of that. Akoya pearls are the most expensive of all cultured pearls although some of the white or golden South sea pearls are evaluated greatly because of huge diameter. Freshwater pearls are very popular because their price is much more affordable than other cultured pearls. Beware of jewelry shop that offers Akoya pearl strand as a bonus to Freshwater pearl strand: deals like this are too good to be true. Teardrop, rice and other no round shaped pearls are usually cheaper than classic round gems because they only become popular not so long time ago. Baroque pearls work for artistic and unique look, but they are not as popular as standard pearls therefore they are less pricy.
If jewelry shop uses A-AAA grading system, check the valuation of jewelry on a label and take a look at the pearls. If there are roughness on more that 30% of single pearl surface, the gem can't even be called "A" class. AAA level pearls have fine inner luster; if gems are marked AA+ and AAA, you should see your reflection and even some background reflection in them. There is no grading like "AAAA" or "AAA+", if gems are marked this way, it's a crystal clear scam. Rough surface of Baroque pearls may be not marked as flaws as Baroque pearls are unique. Hanadama pearls can not be rated in A-AAA grading system.
When looking for a strand or bracelet, take a look at clasps and knots on strand. Good quality pearl strand should have knots between each of gems. This serves for preventing a loss if the strand breaks; but more importantly, it prevents pearls from rubbing at each other. However, if knots are not there it doesn't mean that a strand is low of quality. Many vendors simply string the pearls without knotting as pearls are relatively cheap gemstones, therefore the buyers don't require much precision. The clasps should be strong and it shouldn't be made of cheap metals.

Source : Jurgita