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PEARLS: A MOTHER NATURE’S MIRACLE
Pearls are a Mother Nature‘s Miracle, rare treasures that come from the seabed and that have been adorning our bodies for millennia.
TYPES OF PEARL (CIBJO)
ORIGIN AND FORMATION OF THE PEARL
A pearl is an organic animal origin gem. Pearls are originated through a biological process that occurs as a result of a mollusc’s (lamellibranch or bivalve molluscs) defensive reaction, which isolates any foreign body that is inserted into its tissues (grain of sand, pieces of shells, larvae, etc.).
To defend itself, the body surrounds the foreign object with epithelial tissue and creates a depression in its mantle. This depression will continue to deepen until the foreign body is trapped in the mantle of the body and surrounded by epithelial tissue. The cells of the epithelial tissue secrete nacre, which is deposited around the foreign body in layers, giving a concentric structure to the pearl that is being formed.
SOUTH SEA CULTURED PEARLS
Oyster: Pinctada maxima (two varieties, gold and silver lips, responsible for the colour of pearl)
Area: they are grown in areas of the Indian and Pacific oceans, mainly in Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Myanmar.
Culture time: at least 2 years, 3 to 8 years.
Culture layer (nacre) 2 to 6 mm.
Size: 9 mm to 20 mm (average 13 mm)
Shape: Round, near-round, button, oval, drop and baroque.
Colour: White, silver and gold (Golden), they can especially present blue, pink overtones, etc.
PEARL CLASSIFICATIONS – QUALITY OF PEARLS
According to the pearl’s measurements (Pearl Size)
As a rule, the larger the pearl, the more expensive it is. The size depends on the variety of the oyster.
According to the pearl’s shape (Pearl Shape)
Round, near-round, hemispherical (oval, button, pear), semi-baroque and baroque. Perfectly round pearls or those that are completely symmetrical pear-shaped or drop-shaped are highly valued.
According to the pearl’s color (Pearl Color)
The pearl’s colour depends on its variety. While they have a dominant bodycolor, they often have overtones.
Depending on the pearl’s lustre (Pearl Lustre)
This is the most important factor and this factor gives each bead its unique beauty. Different varieties of pearls exhibit different lustres.
According to the thickness of the pearl's layer of culture (Nacre Pearl)
The greater the number of layers a pearl has, the greater the thickness of nacre and the better the lustre. The thickness of the layer of culture and lustre are strongly linked.
The famous "Orient" of a pearl is due to the reflection of light on its surface, plus the iridescence caused by the interference of light on the different layers of pearl and to the diffraction that occurs in the aragonite lamellae.
According to the surface finish (Surface)
Part of the texture of a pearl is the small imperfections and marks, which are evidence of their origin. These small "inclusions" depend on the pearl’s ecosystem, as small particles floating in the sea get inside the oyster. The fewer imperfections that are seen, the higher the quality and the more valuable the pearl. They are usually classified as clean, lightly spotted, moderately spotted, and heavily spotted.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF PEARLS
Nacre is an organic matter that can "age", that is, if there is desiccation it can become dull, cracks can appear and it can lose layers. So it is very important to care for pearls, avoiding dryness and excessive moisture; pearls are sensitive to acids, perspiration, cosmetics, perfumes. They need to be kept in boxes with interiors that allow perspiration and they can be easily scratched by other pieces of jewellery. Pearls should be washed with a mild soap.
NOTE
All our gemstones have been analyzed by a qualified gemologist. Each precious stone comes with a gemological certificate to guarantee its authenticity, as well as describing its unique characteristics.
Pictures in this website might not reflect the intensity and brightness of the real color of the gemstone. Additionally, the pictures might not properly represent the real size of the gem (provided in millimeters). Do not hesitate in requesting more graphic documentation of the precious stone for any clarifications. This will be provided shortly to accommodate your needs.
The photographs of the inclusions, if any, are a distinctive sign NATURAL origin.
If you are interested in obtaining more information about this gemstone, CONTACT US and we will respond as son as possible.
