Pearls are a jewelry crowd pleaser. These beloved gems have been treasured by all, from royalty to acclaimed Hollywood actor Audrey Hepburn. No matter if you prefer a minimalist look or something a little more fancy, pearls are incredibly adaptable and can be taken from formal to informal depending on what you’re going for.
How Pearls Are Formed
Pearls are greatly admired for their distinctive shape, hue, luster, and soft, supple feel that can be perceived as sophisticated yet achievable.
Some mollusks in aquatic habitats like lakes, rivers, or seas produce pearls when a foreign material such as sand gets inside their shells. In response, the mollusk coats the irritant with a protein known as nacre, forming the pearls sought after today.
Natural Pearls vs. Cultured Pearls
Organic pearls are formed without any help, making them more valuable than cultured pearls due to the fact that they are much rarer. Technicians stimulate the production of nacre by introducing a man-made irritant in cultured pearls, making them more cost-effective than natural pearls but just as fetching. Many of the pearls for sale today are cultured.
Types of Pearls
No matter what your stylistic preference, there is a pearl variety to fit it.
Freshwater
Freshwater pearls tend to be on the smaller side compared to those grown in saltwater but can be found in a variety of different tones, ranging from light pink to cream, which is ideal for delicate jewelry items like rings.
Akoya
This pearl originates from Japan in the 1920s, being the first to be produced by that country, and is formed within the minutest saltwater oyster on Earth. The shape of these gems is circular and symmetrical, and their sheen and light colour make them ideal for both earrings and necklaces.
South Sea
These orbs of milky hue are the most extraordinary of the cultivated type, created within the tender oyster, the white-lipped Pinctada maxima. This type of oyster generates large and polished pearls which have a highly-reflective glow, perfect for creating statement jewelry like stud earrings, drop earrings, and pendants.
Tahitian
This type of pearl is grown within the body of a black-lipped oyster, creating a gem that may seem completely black, but when observed more closely, displays various shades from dark gray to black with possible green or purple hues. It is these vibrancy and unique look that make them a great choice for putting them front and center in your jewelry collections.
How to Choose a Pearl
It is effortless to locate a pearl that is tailored to your personal taste and fashion with the broad range of options obtainable. However, certain aspects should be taken into account to ensure that you will enjoy the item for many years.
Size
When selecting a pearl, think about the size that is most suitable for the article. Pearls from freshwater sources range in size from 5mm to 13mm, while the typical size of Akoya ones can range from 2mm up to 10mm. Tahitian pearls typically measure between 8mm to 20mm, and South Sea pearls are generally 3mm to 9.5mm.
Shape
The most sought after and valuable type of pearl is a round one, because of its flawless, circular appearance. Semi-rounded pearls look like they are perfectly round but their imperfections cannot be seen without a magnifying glass, thus making them worth less than their round counterparts. Drops of pearl look like teardrops and, if there are no blemishes, can be worth an astonishingly high price. Baroque pearls are not symmetrical in shape, and they tend to be cheaper than other types of pearls.
Color
Pearls can range from white to purple, gray, champagne, black, pink, green, chocolate, lavender, or the most rare blue.
A Pearl for Every Person
Although pearls symbolize the birth month of June, they are suited for anybody who appreciates wearing dazzling, eye-catching jewelry. Everyone can find a pearl to suit their style, including the timeless white pearls, the edgier black pearls, and all of the colors and varieties in between.
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