Pearls
Nature's elegant treasure
The beauty and magic of pearls have been a source of fascination and desire since their discovery in ancient times. Viewed as magic charms, symbols of purity and love, or sources of wisdom and power, pearls are one of the oldest known gems.
Legend has it that Cleopatra dissolved a large pearl in a glass of wine and drank it to impress Marc Antony with her wealth and power. Knights in the Middle Ages wore pearls onto the battlefield to protect themselves from harm.
How Pearls Are Made
A pearl is the product of an oyster's defense mechanism. To protect itself, the oyster coats an intruding object or grain of sand with nacre, a crystalline substance that builds up over time, resulting in a shimmering, iridescent creation. The culturing process developed by man mimics nature—pearl farmers implant a fine bead into the oyster where it cannot be expelled, and the oyster does the rest.
Types of Pearls
Akoya
The most familiar type from Japan and China. Known for shimmering beauty with colors ranging from rose, cream and gold to silvery white.
South Sea
Large (10mm and up) cultured pearls from Australia and Indonesia. Colors range from silvery white to gold; quite costly due to size and rarity.
Tahitian Black
Large (10mm and up) from French Polynesia. Colors range from silvery gray and green to deep purple and black.
Mabé
Large, hemispherical pearls grown against the inside of shells. Popular in earrings, rings and brooches.
Freshwater
Cultivated in mussels in lakes and rivers. Fairly inexpensive with shapes from freeform to spherical.
Baroque
Irregularly-shaped yet often lustrous pearls. Often less costly than round cultured pearls.
How to Buy Cultured Pearls
Lustre
The bright, not dull, surface brilliance that lets you see your reflection.
Surface
Fewer blemishes (spots, bumps, pits) means more valuable.
Shape
The rounder the pearl, the more valuable (generally).
Color
Choose based on your skin tone—pink for fair, cream/gold for darker.
Size
Measured in millimeters. Larger means more valuable.
Matching
Well-matched strands require sorting through 10,000+ oysters.
Necklace Lengths
Caring for Your Pearls
- Do:Keep them in a chamois bag or wrap in tissue when stored.
- Do:Wash with mild soap and water when you take them off.
- Don't:Expose to acid-based hair sprays, cosmetics or perfumes.
- Don't:Clean with chemicals or abrasives.
- Pro tip:Have your pearl necklace restrung once a year.
Explore Our Pearl Collection
Let us help you find the perfect pearls for any occasion.
Call 518.464.4748