NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PEARLS
Pearls are the only jewels created by a living animal. Natural pearls grow without human input from a mollusc in the water. Cultured pearls grow from a bead inserted in to the oyster shell.
Natural pearls are extremely rare and commensuratley expensive.
Freshwater cultured pearls account for approximately 95% of total global pearl production but are less valuable than cultured saltwater pearls. The majority of freshwater cultured pearls are grown in China.
Saltwater cultured pearls are rarer and take longer to cultivate than their freshwater counterparts. A saltwater mollusc only produces one pearl at a time whereas a freshwater mollusc can produce twenty five or more pearls.
There are three major types of saltwater cultured pearls: Akoya, Tahitian and South Sea.
While cultured pearls involve a different growing process than natural pearls both types are considered real gemstones but with material differences in value.
FRESHWATER CULTURED
'Freshwater cultured pearl' is the formal industry term used to describe pearls which have been grown using mussels within a controlled environment. In simplified terms, rounder pearls with a high degree of luster and minimal imperfections are more sort after and valuable than smaller, irregular and dull versions. Baroque refers to pearls which are more obviously irregular, less circular, in shape. Although many companies refer to grading tables for pearls there is no formal universal grading standard.
AKOYA
The akoya pearl is a saltwater cultured pearl from the akoya oyster. Akoya are considered to be the classic pearl used for necklaces and other pearl jewellery, with perfect round shapes, bright mirror-like luster and neutral colors. An average akoya pearl is only 7 mm. Akoya pearls are inherently round, although every harvest produces a percentage of baroque and keshi pearls, which tend to have the bright luster and shine common to the akoya, but a shape and look reminiscent of a freshwater pearl.
TAHITIAN
Exotic black pearls from the Black-lip pearl oyster are more commonly known as Tahitian pearls. These pearls are often referred to as black, but have a remarkable color range that covers the spectrum - from light, creamy white and grey, to regal greens and deep black. These pearls have become some of the most sought-after, expensive pearls in the world. Because of their vast color range, matching these pearls into a finished strand is an enormous task requiring thousands of loose pearls to create a single strand.
SOUTH SEA
An extended growth period, large size and limited culturing area combine to make South Sea pearls the rarest of all pearl types. Found in colors ranging from optic white to a deep, honey gold, these pearls are prized by collectors and designers alike. The luster of South Seas pearls, whether White or Golden, is soft and luxurious. Only a small percentage of South Seas are spherical and as such, full strands of matched pearls are extremely rare.
MOTHER OF PEARL
Mother of pearl is actually Nacre, an organic-inorganic composite material produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer; it also makes up the outer coating of pearls. It is strong, resilient and iridescent. It is often used in jewellery, especially cuff links and decorative buttons as well as other object d'arts but is not of significant financial value in it's natural state.
KESHI
Keshi pearls are created as by-products of pearl cultivation processes. In Japanese keshi means "poppy" and the term is used for pearls grown without a nucleus. As they have no nucleus they are comprised entirey of nacre. They are also sometimes referred to as second harvest pearls and even freshwater non-nucleated pearls. They are of irregular shapes and their rich textured appearance is ideal for use in jewellery design.
Natural & Cultured Pearls Versus Imitation Pearls
Although there are a range of tests requiring various techniques and equipment, the easiest way to to check that a pearl is real is the ‘tooth test’.
Rub the pearls lightly along the biting edge of your upper front teeth. If they feel gritty or sandy, it’s likely they are cultured or natural pearls. If they feel smooth they are likely to be fake. It is important to rub it lightly as imitation pearls can be scratched.
If you are in any doubt you should ask a trained gemologist or experienced jeweller test the pearls and give you a formal opinion.