Wearing pearl jewellery is a statement of taste and sophistication. It is no longer simply the traditional round, white pearls that are considered desirable fashion accessories. Since pearls grow in a multitude of shapes, colours and sizes, why not celebrate this wonder of nature in all its hues and guises? Pearls are the only gems that are produced by living organisms. With this knowledge and inspiration we proudly design our exclusive pearl collections for your pleasure.

 

Pearl Types

There are three main categories of Pearls: Natural, Cultured and Imitation Pearls.

There is no difference between natural and cultured pearls on the exterior. The difference arises from the fact that a natural pearl is formed accidentally and without any human intervention, while a cultured pearl is started by the introduction of irritant by man, after which the process is continued solely by the metabolism of the living mollusc.

Natural Pearls

A natural pearl is formed by an alien body (a grain of sand or small parasite) which enters a mollusc. The mollusc tries to expel the irritant and unable to do so it then takes defensive action and calcium deposits around the intruder, in concentric layers, an iridescent substance known as nacre.

Cultured Pearls

In the process of cultivating pearls man attempts to reduce the elements of chance by skilfully inserting foreign matter into a healthy, mature Oyster or Mussel and then carefully nurturing it over a period of three years.

Although this may seem a simple process, Oysters and Mussels are extremely delicate creatures. However skilled the operation and cultivation procedures, a large percentage of these animals will eventually reject their implants. Of every 100 harvested pearls only one to two will be perfect. A sizable percentage of every crop will be totally unusable and must be discarded.

Cultured pearls can be produced in both salt and freshwater locations. In salt water, usually oysters are used and in freshwater usually molluscs are used.

The variety of Cultured Pearls

Akoya

Akoya pearls are the classic cultured pearls of Japan. In recent years, China has been successfull in producing Akoya pearls within their waters however the quality of lustre is not as high as Japanese Akoya cultured pearls.

White South Sea and Golden South Sea

White South Sea and Golden South Sea cultured pearls are grown in large tropical seas in Australia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand and other Pacific countries. The general size is 9mm to 20mm. The price is high because of rarity and large size.

Tahitian

Tahitian cultured pearls are grown in large pearl oysters found primarily in French Polynesia. They come in stunning unique colours (light green, dark green, black, grey and purple) and size can command very high prices.

Freshwater

Freshwater pearls can be found in bays and rivers. They are easily cultivated from freshwater molluscs in China, Japan and United State. Their unique shapes and colours have made them popular items in recent years.

Mabe

Mabe pearls are cultured pearls grown against the inside shell of an oyster instead of within the oyster’s body.

Imitation Pearls

Imitation pearls are a manufactured product which may be beads of shell, glass, plastic or ceramic which stimulate in appearance a pearl or cultured pearl. We do not use any imitation pearls in our collections.

To tell the difference between natural/cultured and imitation pearls you have to apply the ‘tooth test’. The pearls should be rubbed very gently against the cutting or biting edge of the two front teeth. If a natural or cultured pearl is being tested, the feeling against the teeth will be gritty or sandy, however an imitation pearl will feel very smooth against the teeth. Real pearls also are cooler to touch.

Pearl Quality

Lustre is one of the most important quality factors, the way its surface reflects light and the way it refracts light from the layers of nacre within.

Shapes Round pearls are the most treasured and the most difficult to cultivate. Even though the implants used start out round the resulting pearls can be odd shaped because calcium deposits are often layered unevenly by the oyster.

Pearls come in different shapes: To produce odd shapes, an out of round or flexible nucleus is inserted into the mussel. As a result a variety of shapes are created which are sometimes referred to: rice, potato, button, coin, coin tailed, oval and Keshi. Baroque pearls are known for their ridges however slight they might be and come in the form of almost round or oval pearls.

Buying Tips

Although pearl necklaces and bracelets come in different lengths, the popular length for a necklace is 16 to 18 inches and 7 to 8 inches for bracelet when buying pearls for someone.