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The Miracle of the Pearl

A pearl is something of a natural miracle. Neither cut nor polished, pearls are the only natural gem that comes ready to wear. It is rare that a pearl emerges from the lengthy production process as an AAA-quality jewel.

A pearl results from a remarkable coating reaction to an external irritant. When a particle (such as a granule of sand) enters an oyster and the oyster cannot discharge it, the oyster begins to coat the particle with calcium deposits. Japanese pearl farmers favor inserting mussell shell fragments imported from the Mississippi River. This calcium coating is called the nacre of the pearl. After months or years of coating, a pearl emerges.

Natural and Cultured Pearls

The only difference between natural and cultured pearls is accidental. In cultured pearls, the foreign particle that forms the nucleus is implanted by human hands. Beyond that, the lengthy production process and the wondrous results are identical. To distinguish between accidental and cultured pearls, you must carefully examine the implant, by either X-raying or dissecting the pearl.

Pearl Environments Are in Danger

A combination of population, pollution, and poor farming practices is endangering marine environments, oyster beds, and one of the sea’s great gifts—the pearl.

Pearl Prices Will Rise

Fewer oysters producing fewer pearls means that soon supply will not be able to keep up with demand. Pearl prices will increase, and the pearls you have will become more valuable. Beautiful, high-quality pearls will become harder to find and more costly.