LIFE OF PEARLS
PEARLS ARE GEMSTONES WHICH ARE THE PRODUCT OF LIVING CREATURES.
Pearls are gemstones which are the product of living creatures. They are formed when an irritant (like sand) is introduced to a Mollusc. Molluscs create a Nacre coating around the irritant which eventually forms the pearl that we see, love and wear. They have been a treasured gemstone for centuries with some records dating back to 2,000BC and are easily recognised as a precious stone as they require no cutting or polishing, easily giving away their beauty and rarity.
Today, most pearls on the market are cultured pearls which means they are not naturally occurring and that the irritant is introduced into the oyster or mussel. The ‘technologists’ then supervise the pearl growth to ensure it is of optimal shape. It makes it easier to match similar shaped pearls for jewellery.
There are many different types of Pearls:
Lustre and Orient:
'Lustre’ is the pearl’s ability to refract light and ‘Orient’ is the luminosity of the pearls inner glow. The higher the lustre and orient the higher quality the pearl. To observe this, look at the pearl at different angles to see how bright the rainbow reflections shine. The scale ranges from exceptional, fine to dull.
Colour:
There are two elements to consider when you are observing a pearl’s colour- body colour and overtone. ‘Body colour’ is the base colour of black, white or pink etc. However, the overtones include the level of the hue. White pearls with a rose coloured tint are the rarest and most expensive. If the colour is creamy, it will be less expensive.
Size & Shape:
It takes a long time to grow large pearls, therefore it is more common to find smaller pearls. The larger they are the more expensive, but then again it depends on the other factors as well. The more symmetrical the shape the valuable the pearl. The most popular shapes include round, oval and tear shape.
Blemishes:
The creation of a pearl is an imperfect process. Each pearl is unique and the surface may be smooth, other times it may have blisters, spots and small holes. The less imperfections the more expensive it will be.
Pearl Care
Pearls are precious gems which deserve special care. They are porous and so will absorb products used around them like hairspray, perfumes and make-up, as well as body sweat. Retaining the lustre and value of your pearl jewellery is not a difficult task. It’s simply a matter of knowing what and what not to do.
Finally, do not forget to enjoy wearing your Pearls as they are timeless, versatile and incredibly beautiful. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call or see our friendly team.