A Pearl is a smooth glossy generally round structure which are produced inside the shell of a clam or oyster. In ancient Rome and Egypt, pearls are considered as the best symbol of wealth and power. They have long been loved and valued as beautiful jewelry items, and even today they are widely explored. Unlike other gemstones that are extracted from the earth, pearls are produced within living creatures like oysters and mussels. They are considered to bring about peace, protection and luck.
Different types of Pearls:
All types of pearls come under two main categories namely Freshwater and Saltwater.
- Freshwater pearls are observed or cultivated in freshwater mussels in lakes, rivers, creeks, or ponds. They are generally irregular in shape (sometimes perfectly round) and are available in a wide range of gorgeous colors.
- Saltwater pearls are observed or cultivated in salt water oysters in a bay, ocean, gulf, or sea. The natural salt water pearls are mostly irregular in shape, but the cultured ones are famous for their fine round shape.
- A particular category of pearls includes those from snails, as many of them come from bivalve mussels or oysters (having 2 shells which close together).
Each type of pearl may be either natural (nature made) or cultured (man induced) and are again classified into different varieties. Cultured ones are developed by opening the shell of a mollusk with difficulty and keeping a small bead into its reproductive organ. Natural ones are produced when sand or other particles are inserted into the shell naturally. Imitation, or faux pearls, are entirely man-made from beginning to finish. They are composed of glass, plastic or other man-made materials.
The four main types of pearls are akoya (cultivated in Japan, Vietman, Korea, Australia and China), freshwater (cultivated in China), Tahitian or Black South Sea (cultivated in French Polynesia, The Cook Islands and Fiji), and South Sea (cultivated in Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia).
Buying Tips of Pearls:
There are many different ways to identify a natural pearl from a cultured one, and to distinguish both these real (natural and cultured) pearls from imitations pearls.
- Run or move the pearl gently along the sharp edge of front teeth. A real one (natural or cultured) will feel slightly gritty (rough) or sandy, whereas a fake (imitation) will be felt smooth. This is a standard test for genuineness that most sellers will allow.
- Examine and feel the pearl. Completely perfect-looking ones and also those that feel extremely light when you spring up in your hands, are possibly fake.
- Check each pearl for luster or shine. Glossy pearls are available with shiny surface, good variance between light and dark areas, and strong, firm reflections. So, avoid those that look like dull, cloudy white beads.
- Look at pearl color, which can be available in white, yellow, black, gray or various other colors. The dyed ones are less expensive than natural. More colorful natural pearls are more expensive.
- Inspect the pearl’s overtone, a shade of color lower to the main body color. Pinkish overtone pearls are more expensive compared to green or blue shaded pearls.
- Check out the pearl’s cleanliness by confirming that it has minimum surface defects like nicks (scratches), cracks, pits (cavities) or discoloration.
- The only predictable way to differentiate between natural and cultured ones is by X-ray, as they only differ in their interior structure practically.
China produces nearly 96 percent of today’s freshwater pearls. Natural pearls are very limited and are available only with the collectors. Most pearl jewelry sold today is made with cultured pearls. You should buy pearls in the stores that grades or ranks pearls carefully, stores that give certificate and offer money back guarantees.