Information about Pearls: Natural Pearls and Cultured Pearls

Pearls have always been regarded as one of the rarest, most valuable and symbolic of all gems. There are two varieties of Pearls.

Natural Pearls are created when a foreign body, such as sand or a parasite, enters the Pearl oyster. The oyster reacts by coating the irritant with layers of nacre, creating the Pearl and giving the Pearl its beautiful lustre. However, natural Pearls are extremely rare.

Cultured Pearls form when an irritant enters the oyster, the same process occurs, only it is a small Mother-of Pearl bead which is surgically inserted. Therefore, due to the rarity and high price of the natural Pearl, cultured South Sea, Tahitian and Freshwater Pearls are the most common type of Pearl today.

There are many different Pearl properties that determine its quality and value.

• Colour

  Pearls vary greatly in colour. South Sea Pearls come in tones of white, silver, champagne and pink, whilst Tahitian Pearls come in tones ranging from peacock green to grey and silver. Freshwater Pearls are naturally white or pink, but can be dyed any colour after harvesting.

• Lustre

  The best indication of a Pearl’s quality is the lustre. This is the inner glow of the Pearl caused by rays of light passing through the layers of nacre, reflecting from the inside of the Pearl. A Pearl with a high lustre will have a reflective quality similar to a mirror, whilst a Pearl with poor lustre will have a dull, chalky surface with no reflective quality.

• Shape

  Pearls can be round, baroque, drop or oval. The rounder the Pearl, and the more flawless the skin, the more expensive it will be. However, personal taste is a major factor when it comes to choosing the perfect Pearl for you.

• Size

  A Pearl’s size is determined by its diameter and is represented in millimeters. The size of a Pearl has a significant effect on the price it will fetch because larger Pearls, with flawless skins, are very rare.

When you select your Pearl jewellery via our online store, be aware that as a Pearl is a natural product, your jewellery will exhibit its own unique characteristics. These slight changes in colour, lustre, shape and size enhance the natural beauty of each piece. Many of our designs are unique and only available for a short period, enhancing the individual nature of your jewellery.