Guide to Freshwater Pearls
September 27th, 2006 by MaryBeth
Pearls are the only gem created by a living creature. When a foreign object is caught in an oyster shell, the oyster protects itself by coating it with nacre. Layers of this substance form the iridescent appearance of a pearl. Pearls were once extremely rare and expensive since thousands of oysters had to be searched to discover very few pearls.
Today, pearls are cultured in both saltwater and freshwater. The term cultured does not mean that the pearls are synthetic. They are actually created within an oyster. However, a procedure is used to encourage the formation of the pearl. Usually, a tiny bead is inserted into the shell. It is returned to the water where it will begin to coat the object with the pearly substance. The oysters are then harvested for their pearls.
Pearl Quality
The iridescent quality of a pearl is known as the orient. The degree of luminescence is one factor in determining its worth. Lack of flaws or spots is another factor. A pearl’s texture, shape, size and color are also considered measurements of value.
Cultured vs. Synthetic Pearls
Though cultured pearls are produced within oysters, they are not naturally occurring gems. Synthetic pearls are man-made imitators of the pearl. You can determine whether a pearl is cultured or synthetic by checking its texture. Cultured pearls have a slightly rougher, sandpaper-like feel. Synthetic pearls are polished to a glassy, smooth finish. Sometimes a synthetic pearl has a painted surface which contributes to the smooth texture.
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