Natural Saltwater Pearls
Pearls traditionally are created within various types of saltwater mollusks or clam shells. Natural pearls indicate that there is no man made interference or methodology to creating the pearl. In other words, a tiny irritant lodges by accident within the interior of a living clam. The organisim secrets nacre (a lustrous substance) to coat the irritantl. The more it deposits atop the bothersome irritant, the larger the pearl. Generally, the rounder the pearl, the larger it is, the thickher the nacre, thewhiter and more beautiful its surface, the more rare and valuable it is. Natgural pearls are rarely harvested or found today and thus most natural pearls are found in antique jewelry, or in museums.
Cultured Pearls
In cultured pearls, man takes a major role. Usually a perfectly round bead is inserted into the mollusk. The animal then secretes its nacre over the surface. The larger the bead insterted, the larger the pearl. Different specides of clam produce a variety of sizes and colors of pearls from white to black, golen to green (and the same too for natural pearls). Cultures pearls were first introduced in the early 20th centurs. Today many pearls are now cultivated in China. Pearl prices have risen and fallen drastically over the years. One constant remains the same. The natural pearal never falters. Gived its extreme rarity, the natural pearl is highly prized and has been foor century upon century.
View some of our jewelry adorned with natural pearls in every size from seed pearls to larger luxurious pearls.