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Learn More About Pearls on PearlTreasure.com
We have all the answers to your pearl questions. How are pearls formed? Are saltwater pearls better than freshwater pearls? Are all pearls round? What is Mother of Pearl?Pearls in History
Lustrous smooth pearls always make enchanting jewelry and they are adored by women. Pearls are one of the most sought after gems for their beauty and value. These attractive gems come in a number of colors and all of them are equally desirable. Pearls have a longstanding history in the chapters of love and romance. Ancient Greeks considered pearls to be sacred gems and pearls were always part of ancient Greek weddings. They believed that pearls brought in love so they gifted the newly weds with pearls. Eventually pearl was associated with love and even today when men want to select some jewelry for women they first consider pearl jewelry. Pearl is not only symbols of love; they are also romantic and stimulating. Probably that is why men instinctively select pearl jewelry for their partners.Perfect for Every Woman
Using pearls in jewelry gives women an elegant look, adding to their natural beauty. Jewelry made with gold or diamonds may be more expensive but when it comes to adding to one’s natural beauty pearls are really effective. That is why women cannot resist pearls. Pearls also signify prosperity and wealth. A single pearl held in a necklace charm like our Precious Pearl Gift compliments the natural features of any woman. A grand strand of pearls on a woman's neckline is both elegant and romantic. Pearl earrings are a treasure to any woman lucky enough to have them. All pearl jewelry brings out the natrual features of every woman. Most importantly, it will make her smile.
How Pearls Form
It is interesting to learn how these expensive gems are formed. Pearls are formed through a very interesting process. Pearls are formed by oysters and the process is triggered when an alien particle slips into the body of the oyster between its external shell and the mantle. The alien object that gets deposited inside oysters shell causes irritation to the mantle. To protect itself from this irritation, through natural response the irritant is covered with nacre which is basically the substance that forms the shell of the oyster. Eventually multiple layers of coating is formed and this forms the pearl. Pearls in their natural form may not always come in well rounded shape; they can also come in uneven shapes, as nature often intends them to be.
Cultured vs Natural Pearls
Besides natural pearls, we can also get cultured pearls. Cultured pearls are formed through minimal human intervention; the foreign particle or the irritant is artificially introduced into the oyster’s body. The shell is opened and a minute slit is made in the mantle before inserting the irritants and the shell is closed again. This induces the same process which is triggered when a foreign object enters oyster’s body through natural process. When it comes to freshwater pearls it is not necessary to insert the irritant; it is just enough to make the slit in the mantle for the oyster to start secreting the nacre. Whether it is natural pearl, sea water cultured pearls or freshwater cultured pearls the process of pearl formation is the same. Sea water cultured pearls are nucleated whereas freshwater cultured pearls are not nucleated. Natural pearls are very rare these days and very expensive.
Generally freshwater pearls are less expensive than saltwater pearls but high quality freshwater pearls, like the pearls found here on Pearl Treasure, are as beautiful and as romantic as saltwater pearls. You can hardly make out the difference between freshwater pearls and sea water pearls.
Mother of Pearl
Mother of Pearl is otherwise known as nacre, an organic material formed inside an oyster as an inner shell layer. Nacre is also what forms a pearl, but Mother of Pearl is separate from the actual pearl itself.Mother of Pearl has been used for centuries for various decorative purposes. Mother of Pearl has also been used in clothing. The shiny buttons you see on clothing is often made from Mother of Pearl. You will even find Mother of Pearl used in the keys of musical instruments such as the saxophone, trumpets, and guitars. In some cultures, Mother of Pearl is more valuable than the pearl itself.
Read about How Oysters Make Pearls on HowStuffWorks.com
Pinctada is the genus of oysters that create commercially viable pearls.
