What To Look For When Buying Pearls

We all know that size matters and is important, but not every one can afford size. The most important quality in a pearl, and I cannot stress this enough, is LUSTER, LUSTER, LUSTER! Always buy luster before size. You will never regret it. There is nothing more ghastly than a large dull strand of pearls. It cannot be ignored.

Another approach would be to purchase 1 large lustrous single pearl pendant or ring, or a smaller more lustrous strand. The colors of pearls are many varied and subjective. With the advent of the freshwater pearl industry, every color imaginable is available. Depending on a woman's skin, hair and eye color, she is able to pick and choose WHATEVER COLOR SHE DESIRES. Here again, LUSTER comes into play. It is the most important factor when buying pearls. If color, or size is not the issue, then luster should be.

More on Pearls...

How Is a Pearl Made?

A pearl is a wondrous organic "gem" that comes from a living saltwater or freshwater creature such as oysters or molluscs that are bi-valved (2 hard exterior shells) protecting a soft bodied animal on the interior. The shell on the inside must have the true "Mother of Pearl" finish or lining in order to create the lovely pearl within.

Natural Pearls are formed when a tiny intruder such as a parasite or piece of sand finds its way into an oyster's shell, and lodges itself inside. When the mollusc cannot rid itself of the irritant, it begins to produce a substance to soothe the irritation called CONCHIOLIN, over which another substance is secreted called NACRE.

The 2 bind together to form the natural pearl; layer upon layer of nacre enveloping the intruder. This process can often take as long as 10 years .This binding of nacre produces a THICK SKIN which protects the life of the pearl. The nacre is composed of of the same substance that is found in the Mother of Pearl in the lining of the shell. When there are a sufficient number of layers, and when the crystals are are properly aligned with each other, a prismatic effect is created as light travels across each layer. This effect is also known as ORIENT (rainbow effect) and LUSTER (mirror like effect)

Unfortunately the natural pearl market has become nearly extinct. Today diving
for natural pearls is done only sporadically, often by amateur collectors and
treasure seekers. The number of of fine natural pearls recovered is inconsequential. The majority of fine natural pearls are now acquired from important private estates, dealers, or auctions.

About Freshwater Cultured Pearls

In 1894, a Japanese man named Kokichi Mikimoto discovered techniques for culturing pearls. In 1916, he patented a technique to produce round pearls, and by 1920, he was selling them around the world.

A cultured pearl is also an organic "gem", produced by a mollusc essentially in the same way as a natural pearl but with the help of SCIENCE. In the culturing process, a technician stimulates the oyster to produce the CONCHIOLIN and NACRE by SURGICALLY IMPLANTING the irritant into OYSTER. In the case of salt water pearls, a round Mother of Pearl bead along with a piece of mantle tissue is surgically inserted into the oyster. At that time the oyster is placed into the water at the pearl farm where it will remain for 1 - 3 years, depending on the millimeter size of the pearl.

During the cultivation period, the oysters receive constant attention and care to ensure the best possible pearl crop. But there are no guarantees. The culturing process is is very delicate and fragile. Often the oyster rejects the nucleus after the implant procedure. Natural disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, as well as pollution can destroy a pearl crop.

In the case of the freshwater pearl cultivation in the Chinese lakes and rivers, the oysters are usually surgically implanted with a tissue graft from mantle tissue alone (non nucleated) . However, it is being reported that the Chinese pearl farmers are now implanting the oysters with Mother of Pearl beads and mantle tissue as well.