Natural Pearls
These are the most rare form of a pearl. They form without human instigation. The process begins when an irritant positions itself inside the oyster. As a defensive measure, the oyster secrets layers of nacre which cover the irritant. This nacre forms the “pearl” as we know it. The amount, quality and shape of nacre that surrounds the irritant particle essentially determines the quality of the pearl jewelry.
Cultured Pearls
Made famous by Mikimoto, nearly all pearls sold on the open market are cultured. Cultured freshwater pearls evolve in a similar manner as natural pearls, with the distinction being that cultured pearls have an irritant intentionally placed by a pearl farmer to start the formation of a pearl. The process may take one to several years. Japan, China and various places in the South Pacific have traditionally been major suppliers of cultured pearls jewelry…
Mabe Pearls
These are grown in Japan, China and the United States. They are hemispherical cultured pearls grown against the shell of an oyster rather than within the oyster’s body.
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