Learn About Pearl
Pearls, also known as the mother of all gemstones, have been loved by people for centuries. Pearls have a long history, with Cleopatra drinking melted pearls and the Queen of England adorning her tiara with pearls.
Interestingly, the formation of pearls is very unique and unlike any other gemstone on earth. Pearls can be naturally occurring or cultured, but most pearls on the market today are cultured. In the 19th century, MIKIMOTO invented a method of culturing pearls in which a nucleus is inserted by hand into the pearl shell. The nucleus is generally a shell that has been ground into a round shape. Natural pearls, on the other hand, are formed when foreign substances such as pebbles, sand, or sea insects enter the shell instead of the nucleus.
Types of Pearls
The major difference between the two is whether the foreign material was seeded into the shell by human hands or naturally. After the seeding process, the shellfish are carefully selected and put into the sea or fresh water through specially crafted cages. The nucleus placed inside stimulates the shell to secrete layers upon layers of nacre, thus producing pearls.
This process generally takes from one to three years, depending on the type, size, and quality of the pearl. Over time, the shells cover the pearls, allowing them to grow to larger sizes and better luster, but the condition of the shells must be constantly monitored because even the slightest change in the condition or position of the shells can distort the shape, luster, and speckles of the pearls. For this reason, the shells in the farms are constantly pulled out of the sea, cleaned, observed, and adjusted.
All Forms of Pearl Lusters
The amount of coating applied to the surface of a pearl determines its characteristics, and the thickness of the coating depends on the length of time the shell has been submerged in the sea. The thicker the coating on the pearl, the more luster (shine) it has, and the deeper and more beautiful the color. This luster and depth of color are the hallmarks of high-quality pearls, creating an enchanting look.