Tahitian Pearls:

          Tahitian pearls are formed in the exotic Black Lip Oyster indigenous to the islands of French Polynesia. These are cultured pearls meaning they are farmed. They are also bead nucleated meaning that humans have intervened with the process of growing pearls by inserting a small bead into the mollusk and allowing the pearl to form. This is done as the mollusk deposits layers of “nacre” over the irritant (bead).

          There are many factors that come into play when determining the grading of pearls which in turn, determines pricing. Factors include size, shape, symmetry, surface quality, and color. The size is determined by millimeters. Pearls come in many different shapes that are categorized by spherical (round or semi-round), symmetrical (oval, button, or drop), and baroque (semi-baroque or baroque). Surface quality is determined by four classifications to help determine the severity of blemishes on the pearl which include: clean (perfect), lightly blemished, moderately blemished, and heavily blemished (many surface blemishes). Pearls come in a wide array of colors and are encompassed by three characteristics: body color (most prevalent color of the pearl), overtone (luminous color that is in a layer over the body color), and orient (just below the surface of the pearl). Tahitian pearls come in shades of pale dove gray to dark charcoal gray. They come in a variety of colors ranging from peacock, cherry, blue-green and more.  

 

Edison Pearls:

          Edison Pearls are formed inside of mussels from rivers and lakes in China. These are cultured pearls meaning they are farmed. They are also bead nucleated meaning that humans have intervened with the process of growing pearls by inserting a small bead into the mollusk and allowing the pearl to form. This is done as the mollusk deposits layers of “nacre” over the irritant (bead).

          There are many factors that come into play when determining the grading of pearls which in turn, determines pricing. Factors include size, shape, symmetry, surface quality, and color. The size is determined by millimeters. Pearls come in many different shapes, that are categorized by spherical (round or semi-round), symmetrical (oval, button, or drop), and baroque (semi-baroque or baroque). Surface quality is determined by four classifications to help determine the severity of blemishes on the pearl which include: clean (perfect), lightly blemished, moderately blemished, and heavily blemished (many surface blemishes). Pearls come in a wide array of colors and are encompassed by three characteristics: body color (most prevalent color of the pearl), overtone (luminous color that is in a layer over the body colfo), and orient (just below the surface of the pearl). They come in a variety of colors ranging from metallic pink, peach, and lavender.

South Sea Pearls:

          South Sea Pearls are formed in the exotic Golden Lip Oyster which is indigenous to the south pacific, more specifically Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. They are one of the most valuable and cherished pearl's found today as they are rare. These are cultured pearls meaning they are farmed. They are also bead nucleated meaning that humans have intervened with the process of growing pearls by inserting a small bead into the mollusk and allowing the pearl to form. This is done as the mollusk deposits layers of “nacre” over the irritant (bead).

          There are many factors that come into play when determining the grading of pearls which in turn, determines pricing. Factors include size, shape, symmetry, surface quality, and color. The size is determined by millimeters. Pearls come in many different shapes, that are categorized by spherical (round or semi-round), symmetrical (oval, button, or drop), and baroque (semi-baroque or baroque). Surface quality is determined by four classifications to help determine the severity of blemishes on the pearl which include: clean (perfect), lightly blemished, moderately blemished, and heavily blemished (many surface blemishes). Pearls come in a wide array of colors and are encompassed by three characteristics: body color (most prevalent color of the pearl), overtone (luminous color that is in a layer over the body colfo), and orient (just below the surface of the pearl). They come in a variety of colors ranging from pale yellow to deep gold. Other common hues are yellow and champagne.

 

 What is the difference between cultured and natural pearls?

          Natural pearls are formed in a mollusk when a foreign object enters its body. The mollusk coats the foreign object with layers of shell lining called “nacre” to prevent irritation over time. Cultured pearls are formed with human interaction to assist in starting the pearl production in the mollusk. Farmers begin by inserting a foreign object (such as a bead) in the mollusk. Like in natural pearls, the mollusk coats the foreign object with a layer of nacre that builds to form a pearl over time.

Why are cultured pearls so expensive?

          Pearl prices have been increasing in recent years due to popularity. As demand increases, so does the pricing. Many factors are considered in pricing: type of pearl, size, shape, symmetry, luster, color, and surface quality.

          Each oyster can be implanted with only one nucleus at a time. It is an incredibly labor intensive process that is not always successful. Cultured pearls normally receive no treatments other than drilling. However, Pistachio and Chocolate Pearls generally are color enhanced. In some cases, you can find hues of Pistachio and Chocolate Pearls naturally.