A Guide to Pearls and How They're Formed

Pearls are one of nature's most exquisite creations, coveted for their beauty and rarity. But have you ever wondered how these lustrous gems are formed? 

What are Pearls?

Pearls are organic gems that are formed inside the shells of certain mollusks, such as oysters and mussels. They are composed of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which gives them their signature iridescent luster.

How are Pearls Formed?

Pearls are formed when an irritant, such as a grain of sand or a parasite, becomes trapped inside the mollusk's shell. In response to this irritant, the mollusk secretes layers of nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, around the foreign object. Over time, these layers build up to form a pearl.

Types of Pearls

There are several types of pearls, including freshwater pearls, Akoya pearls, Tahitian pearls, and South Sea pearls. Each type of pearl is formed by a different species of mollusk and has its own unique characteristics, such as size, shape, and color.

Factors Affecting Pearl Quality

When it comes to evaluating the quality of a pearl, several factors come into play. These include luster, surface quality, shape, size, and color. The most valuable pearls are those that are perfectly round, have a high luster, and are free from blemishes.

Pearl Cultivation

While natural pearls are rare and expensive, the majority of pearls on the market today are cultured pearls. Cultured pearls are created through a process where a pearl farmer implants a nucleus into the mollusk to stimulate the formation of a pearl. This process allows for greater control over the size, shape, and quality of the pearls produced.

Despite their huge price difference, both cultured and natural pearls are real pearls. They are grown from pearl-bearing oysters in either saltwater or freshwater.

Here at Mirabelle we use  Freshwater pearls , they are real pearls and affordable .

Fun Fact: Pearl Harvesting

Did you know that pearl harvesting is a delicate and time-consuming process? Pearl farmers must carefully harvest the pearls from the mollusks without damaging them. This requires skill and precision to ensure that the pearls are extracted intact and undamaged.