Regardless of the occasion, pearls are always a good idea! These gorgeous marvels infuse elegance into your outfit and have the potential to take it to a whole new level.
Pearls have always enjoyed an esteemed position in the fine jewellery industry, but what if we told you that all of them weren’t the same?
Continue reading to know more about the different varieties of this gem…
Natural and Cultured Pearls
The first way to classify this gemstone is to find out if they are natural or created with the help of outside intervention.
1. Natural Pearls
These jewels are formed by an oyster or mussel from either salt or freshwater sources, and are born in response to a biological intrusion. To be more specific, when an irritant enters the mussel or oyster, it gets covered with layers and layers of nacre. The nacre is a composite material made up of hexagonal-shaped platelets of aragonite (a form of calcium carbonate) set together in extremely thin layers. Over a period of time, this secretion solidifies and results in an awe-inspiring pearl.
Today, natural pearls are almost extinct. Due to their rarity, along with lack of uniformity in structure, majority of the pearls currently found in the market are cultured.
2. Cultured Pearls
They are created in the controlled environments of pearl farms. While some human intervention is involved in the conception of these gorgeous jewels, they are still born inside a living mussel or oyster and are absolutely genuine. The procedure of implantation of the ‘irritant’ is carried out with surgical precision and utmost care. As a result, cultured pearls usually tend to be much larger and more lustrous than natural pearls.
Cultured pearls are broadly classified into two main categories that are mentioned below…
1. Freshwater Pearls
They are created from freshwater mussels and are evaluated based on the shape, size, colour, and lustre of the pearl. It’s common for freshwater pearls to undergo treatments, such as bleaching, in order to enhance their overall appearance. Some may get polished with wax before being sold to improve the pearl’s lustre.
In comparison to other varieties, freshwater pearls are more economical due to ease of availability and mass production.
2. Saltwater Pearls
Born within different types of oysters, cultured saltwater pearls are created by surgical implantation of several tiny pieces of mantle tissue inside the oyster. This leads to the creation of a sac, followed by the secretion of nacre around it.
Below we’ve mentioned the most sought-after varieties of cultured saltwater pearls.
1. Tahitian
These beauties are loved for their untreated and dramatic hue, which can range from peacock black to a greyish black. Their rarity, which stems from an extensive and long culturing process, adds to the Tahitian pearl’s overall value.
2. Akoya
Known for their attention-grabbing, highly reflective surface and a comparatively rounder shape, the Akoya pearls are a specialty of Japanese pearl farms. People state that their glow is so bright that it makes them look larger than other pearls.
3. South Sea
Available in white and golden hues, South Sea pearls are actually the largest and rarest of all cultured pearl types in the world. These jewels are born within a special kind of oyster named Pinctada Maxima that are farmed in Australia, Philippines and Indonesia. A cultivation time of almost four years results in thick layers of nacre and a superior, satiny soft glow.
Pearls are a great way to radiate sophistication and timelessness that will make you stand apart from the crowd. With the above information, we’re sure that you’ll be able to pick the right one for yourself.
Also Read: Is Tanzanite a Precious Stone?
