A Guide to Pearls
 

What is a Cultured Pearl?

Cultured Pearls result from a small irritant (usually a natural shell bead and/or piece of fleshy tissue) implanted into living oysters (Akoya and South Sea pearls) or mussels (Freshwater pearls). The oysters or mussels secrete a substance called "nacre" which bonds to the irritant. The resulting layers of nacre coat the irritant and eventually form the pearls.

Are Cultured Pearls and simulated pearls the same thing?

No. Cultured Pearls form over time inside the oyster or mussel in their natural environment. Simulated, imitation and "faux" pearls are man-made from a variety of products.

What makes some Cultured Pearls more expensive than others?

Because Cultured Pearls are organic gemstones formed by nature no two pearls are exactly alike. A variety of factors go into determining the quality and price of pearl jewelry. Some characteristics that determine Cultured Pearl costs are:

Luster

Luster is the glow of the pearl and its brilliance to the human eye. The longer the pearl is left in the oyster to grow its nacre casing the higher the luster.

Surface condition

The fewer the natural markings or spots on the pearl’s visible surface, the more expensive the pearl.

Shape

The more spherical (rounder) and symmetrical the pearl the more valuable it will be. Baroque pearls (any unusually shaped and asymmetrical pearl) can be very attractive and are usually less expensive than round pearls.

Color

Pearls are available in a rainbow of colors, for example, pinkish (often called rose), silvery white, greenish white, creamy, golden, gray, cognac and black. Color enhancement is considered normal for both colored and white base pearls. Color consistency effects value; however, current fashion trends and color demand conditions also effect pearl prices.

Size

Pearl diameter is measured in millimeters. Generally, the larger the pearl, the more rare it is and the more valuable.

Uniformity (matching)
For pearl jewelry  the overall look is very important, regardless of the quality of the individual pearls. The more uniform and aesthetically pleasing two or more pearls look together the more time was spent matching the pearls. This time to match pearls is reflected in the cost.

Rarity
Because pearls are not cut or polished when removed from the oyster or mussel, certain sizes, qualities and colors may from time to time be in scarce supply. Overall health of pearl growing oysters and mussels effect pearl size and quality availability. Because pearls are not cut or polished when removed from the oyster certain sizes, qualities and colors may from time to time be in scarce supply. In recent years both water pollution and diseases that effect pearl growing oysters have effected supplies of some pearl sizes and qualities. This has effected both availability and cost.

What's the difference between natural and cultured pearls?

Natural pearls, just as the name implies, were formed when irritants entered the oyster by accident. This is a pretty rare occurrence and doesn't result in many jewelry quality pearls being available.

About 100 years ago a Japanese pearl farmer developed a process whereby a small piece of shell could be inserted into living Akoya oysters. These oysters were then put back into the water and the pearl forming process began. Today cultured pearls account for the majority of pearls used in jewelry

Are cultured pearls and simulated pearls the same thing?

No. Cultured pearls are formed, over time, in oysters in their natural state. Simulated, imitation, and "faux" pearls are man-made out of a variety of products including, glass and plastic compounds.
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