Jewelry Guides

• Pearls
   
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Cultured pearls are created when an irritant, such as a parasite or a piece of shell, works its way into an oyster's soft tissue. To defend itself, the oyster secretes a crystalline substance around the irritant to protect itself, creating a beautiful pearl. The difference between a natural pearl and a cultured pearl is that, with a cultured pearl, technicians carefully implant an irritant into the oyster.

Pearls come in many shapes, depending on how they are formed within the mollusk. Because most people expect pearls to be round, and round pearls are very rare, they tend to be much more expensive than other shapes. Surface quality refers to the topography of the pearl. Pearls are natural, so when you look at them closely, many tend to have imperfections such as tiny spots, bumps, or wrinkles. A pearl with fewer surface markings is more rare and valuable.

Freshwater cultured pearls are the perfect choice for everyday jewelry. These pearls are unique due to their often-irregular shapes and amazing color variety. Popularly priced, freshwater pearls are more affordable than their saltwater cousins. Yet, new techniques have created large, colorful, symmetrical pearls that rival the brilliance of traditional saltwater beauties.