Cultured Pearl : What is it?
| Cultured pearls are formed by inducing mollusks to produce nacre, the primary component of pearls. They are made by inserting an irritant, such as grit or beads, into a mollusk's shell. This causes the mollusk to produce layers of nacre over the irritant, which gradually harden into a pearl. Mollusks are usually placed in specific environments to control the shape, size, and thickness of the pearl. Cultured pearls look exactly the same as natural pearls, except when viewed under an x-ray. |
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Kinds of Cultured Pearls include the following: |
South sea pearls
- South sea pearls are white or silver, with yellow, green, pink, or blue-gray undertones.
- They are produced by silver- or gold-lipped oysters commonly found in Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
- They range from 10 to 20 millimeters in diameter, although those over 16 millimeters are rare.
Tahitian pearls
- Tahitian pearls come in a wide range of colors, although dark shades like black, green, and purple are more common.
- They are also called black South Sea pearls.
- The most valuable color is a greenish black shade known as “peacock green.”
- They usually measure seven to 15 millimeters.
Akoya pearls
- Akoya pearls, also called Japanese pearls, come in white and cream with pink and silver undertones.
- They are mostly produced in Japan, but many are also found in India and China.
- They are produced by smaller oysters and measure only two to 10 millimeters.
Freshwater pearls
- Freshwater pearls are formed from the mantle tissue of freshwater clams and mussels.
- They come in various shapes including round, oval, pear, drops, domes, and irregular or baroque shapes.
- They also come in different colors, such as green, blue, red, gray, and copper. The most valued shades are pastel pinks, rose, and lavender.
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Luster: Choose a cultured pearl with a shiny, iridescent surface. Look for one that catches light and reflects different colors at various angles. Luster is most apparent in white pearls, but darker colors display iridescence better. If the pearl is treated, make sure the coating will not rub off and can be reapplied when necessary.
Shape: Choose a round, symmetrical pearl if you will be using it for strands and necklaces. These are easier to drill and thread together and have more commercial value than asymmetrical pearls. For earrings and brooches, look for dome or flat-bottomed pears that fit easily onto mounts and sit flat when worn.
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