Guide to Pearls
August 16th, 2006 by Summer
Regardless of your favorite type of pearls, every woman knows they’re a “must have.” Whether your style is elegant or edgy, there’s certain to be pearls you’ll love!
MAKING PEARLS
Pearls are created by salt or freshwater oysters and clams. Given that pearls are made by living creatures, they are called organic gems. Beginnig as a piece of sand or other particle that enters the shell of an oyster or clam, pearls are formed when the oyster or clam coats the particle with layers of a substance called nacre. The layers eventually become thick enough to form a pearl.
Pearls are classified by origin and shape. Here’s a guide to the classification of pearls:
ORIGIN OF PEARLS
Natural Pearls
Formed using the process above, the shape of natural pearls varies depending on the shape of the piece being coated. Natural pearls are rare and expensive.
Cultured Pearls
Cultured pearls are created like natural pearls, except they get a helping hand from humans. To make a cultured pearl, the shell is gingerly opened and an object is inserted. Depending upon the desired shape of the pearls, different shaped objects are inserted. Cultured pearls are valued by their size in millimeters.
Saltwater Pearls
Saltwater pearls are created by a saltwater clam or oyster. Saltwater pearls can be either natural or cultured.
Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater pearls grow inside of a clam or oyster that lives in a river or a lake.
SHAPE OF PEARLS
Spherical Pearls
Spherical pearls are round. The rounder the pearls, the rarer and more expensive they are.
Symmetrical Pearls
Symmetrical pearls include pearls that are symmetrical from one side to another. These pearls are not round.
Baroque Pearls
Baroque pearls are irregularly shaped pearls. Though beautiful, baroque pearls are usually the least expensive.
Whether you choose jewelry with cultured or natural pearls, salt or freshwater pearls, spherical, symmetrical or baroque pearls, you’re certain to look beautiful whatever your style!
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