Pearl FAQ

What Are Pearls? Pearls are natural gems formed inside a mollusc such as an oyster. How Are Pearls Made? When a piece of grit or similar irritant becomes trapped in the oyster the creature attempts to reduce the irritation by coating it with an organic material. Layers of this build up to create a smooth, shiny pearl. Are All Pearls White? Pearls are usually creamy white, however natural pigments do sometimes create other colours such as black. Most of the coloured pearls you can buy in the stores have probably been dyed. What Is Lustre? Lustre refers to the shiness of the pearl, its glow or sheen. What Are Natural Pearls? What Are Cultured Pearls? Natural pearls are simply those that have occured naturally with no human intervention other than removing them from the shells and polishing. Cultured pearls are in effect "farmed": a piece of "starter" material has been deliberately inserted in the shell. Almost all of the pearls on sale today are cultured. What Are Akoya Pearls? Akoya pearls are produced by the Akoya pearl oyster. They are considered to be of high quality and come mainly from Japan and China. What Are Mikimoto Pearls? The term Mikimoto doesn't refer to a particular type of pearl but rather to a method of cultivation. What Is Mother of Pearl? Mother of pearl is made in a similar way to pearls, however the molluscs coat the inside of their shells with it. For this reason it's usually found in larger, flatter pieces

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