Learn About Pearl
Among all the cultured pearls in the world, White South Sea pearls are the rarest and most valuable.
Pearl
- 2.5 to 4 Mohs
-
Gemini , Cancer
- Purity, Clarity, Wisdom
- June Birthstone
Round
RoundOverview
Pearls are known to soothe emotions, enhance peace of mind and develop concentration. This iridescent gem represents integrity and faith and is considered to make the wearer feel calm.
It is also believed to strengthen relationships. Pearls can offer protection, stimulate femininity and help promote self acceptance. These exquisite gems are also said to attract wealth and luck.
Know About Other Gems
Pearl
“Among all the cultured pearls in the world, White South Sea pearls are the rarest and most valuable.”
- White, Golden
- 2.5 to 4 Mohs
- Purity, Clarity, Wisdom
- June
- Gemini , Cancer
Round
Know About Other Gems
Freshwater Pearl
A single freshwater pearl mussel can produce up to 50 pearls at a time! Now, isn't that something?
- White
- 2.5 to 4 Mohs
- Gemini , Cancer
- Purity, Clarity, Wisdom
- June
Tahitian Pearl
Tahitian pearls come from Tahiti? False! These pearls are actually grown in French Polynesia.
- Black
- 2.5 to 4 Mohs
- Gemini , Cancer
- Hope, Healing, Positivity.
- June
Golden South Sea Pearl
The value of a Golden South Sea pearl depends on its color. The deeper the golden hue, the higher the pearl's value.
- Golden
- 2.5 to 4 Mohs
- Gemini , Cancer
- Purity, Clarity, Wisdom
- June
South Sea Pearl
Among all the cultured pearls in the world, White South Sea pearls are the rarest and most valuable.
- White, Golden
- 2.5 to 4 Mohs
- Gemini , Cancer
- Purity, Clarity, Wisdom
- June
Akoya Pearl
Akoya pearl oysters only produce around two pearls per harvest. This makes them a lot rarer than Freshwater pearls.
- White
- 2.5 to 4 Mohs
- Gemini , Cancer
- Purity, Clarity, Wisdom
- June
Pearl Types
The birth of a pearl is an absolutely miraculous and awe-inspiring event. It all begins when a grain of sand or any foreign body lodges itself in the shell of an oyster or mussel. In order to ease the irritant, the oyster or mussel deposits layers of nacre, calcium carbonate in a minute crystalline form, over it. As time passes by, the irritant is completely enveloped by the crystalline coating, resulting in the birth of a lustrous pearl.
In recent years, cultured pearls have gained popularity as they are easier to cultivate. An irritant is carefully implanted in the oyster and the shell is left to naturally create its miracle from there on. There are various types of cultured pearls available. They include Akoya, Freshwater, South Sea, and Tahitian pearls.
Akoya Pearls
Akoya cultured pearls are produced by a type of saltwater oyster called pinctada fucata martensii. This type of oyster is particularly small in size. The pearls formed are also small, ranging from 2mm to 10mm.
Tahitian Pearls
The Tahitian pearl or black pearl is produced by black lip oysters called pinctada margaritifera. These dark, exotic pearls are primarily cultivated in the islands of French Polynesia.
South Sea Pearls
South Sea cultured pearls are among the rarest and most exquisite pearls available today. They have a rich satin-like luster unlike any other pearl type, and they come in white, silver, pink and champagne or golden hues.
Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater cultured pearls are produced by mussels in lakes, ponds and rivers. With each mussel producing up to 50 pearls, the supply is plentiful. These pearls have a soft luster and great durability.
Quality & Grading
To make an informed decision while buying pearls, it is important to know and understand the various grades of these beautiful gems. Pearls are graded based on quality factors such as luster, nacre, surface, shape, color, and size. The two major grading systems predominant are the AAA system and the A-D system.
In the AAA system, the AAA grade is given to a pearl with exceptional luster, mirror-like reflection, blemish-free surface, over 0.5 mm nacre, and a perfect round shape. The AA grade is given to a pearl that is almost round with at least 75% blemish-free surface, high luster and clear reflection, while A graded pearls are less than 75% clean, have a chalky appearance, are less round and have thin nacre.
The A to D system is used in French Polynesia to grade Tahitian pearls. A, being the highest grade, represents premium-quality pearls with very high luster and only minor imperfections. B graded pearls have high or medium luster and may have some visible imperfections. C pearls have medium luster with some surface defects. D graded pearls have many slight defects spread over 60% of its surface.
Identifying Pearl
Versatile and timeless, pearls infuse a touch of luxury to any ensemble. The growing demand for these lustrous gems has led to the increase of fakes in the market.
Here are some tips to help you identify real pearls.
- Grown naturally, real pearls are rarely perfect and have surface ridges that can be viewed under a magnifying glass.
- They have an overtone (a subtle color that appears on the outer surface) that’s beautiful, lustrous and appealing.
- Real pearls are extremely reflective in light. However, low-quality real pearls might appear slightly chalky like faux pearls.
- They will be of slightly different sizes and shapes, while fake pearls will appear identical.
- They feel cold when you touch them, but warm up to your body temperature once you put them on.
- They are slightly heavier than fake pearls.
- When rubbed against your teeth, real pearls will feel gritty, while fake pearls usually feel smooth.
- When you knock a strand of pearls together, the real pearls will have a softer sound, while the fakes will sound tinny.
- Chipping or cracking of the top layer is a sure sign that the pearl is a fake.
Identifying Pearl
Care Instructions
Pearls can be easily harmed by chemicals found in perfumes, cosmetics and hair and cleansing products. To avoid contact with these products, put on your pearls as a final touch after applying your makeup and styling your hair, and take them off as soon as you get back home. Here are a few tips that will help ensure the same.
FAQs
1. Are pearls natural or cultured?
Pearls can be natural or cultured. Natural pearls form without human intervention and are rare, while cultured pearls are farmed by intentionally introducing an irritant into the mollusk to stimulate nacre production.
2. What gives pearls their lustrous appearance?
The luster of pearls comes from the layers of nacre. The thickness and quality of these nacre layers determine the pearl's shine and depth of reflection.
3. Why are some pearls perfectly round while others are irregular?
The shape of a pearl depends on how it forms within the mollusk. Perfectly round pearls are rare and result from even nacre deposition, while irregular shapes, known as baroque pearls, occur due to uneven layering.
4. What are imitation pearls and how do they differ from real ones?
Imitation pearls are man-made, often from glass or plastic and coated to mimic the appearance of real pearls. They lack the natural nacre layers, making them less lustrous and durable than genuine pearls.
5. Do pearls come in colors other than white?
Yes, pearls naturally occur in a variety of colors, including cream, pink, silver, black, green and golden. The color depends on the mollusk species, environment and type of pearl.
6. Are pearls durable for everyday wear?
While pearls are beautiful and can be worn daily, they are softer than many gemstones, with a hardness of 2.5-4.5 on the Mohs scale. To ensure they last, avoid exposing them to harsh chemicals, abrasives or rough handling, and store them separately when not in use.
