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Cultured Pearls and Pearl Jewelry

Direct from World's Biggest Pearl Farms & from a Pearl Jewelry Manufacture

Cultured Pearls In Any Shapes

In order for cultured pearls to form there has to be an irritant or parasite. This will lodge itself into the tissue of the mollusk. Then a substance called nacre is released out and the creation of the pearl begins.

Nacre is a combination of crystalline and organic type substances. It builds itself in layers and circles the irritant to protect the mollusc. This incredible build-up is what forms the cultured pearls. These pearls were first discovered in the 19th and 20th centuries by Japanese researchers. The first pearls were not completely round. One of the researchers focused on mabe production and produced the rounded pearls with tissue and bead insertion.

Most pearls on the market today are cultured pearls. There are saltwater cultured pearls and freshwater cultured pearls. Saltwater cultured pearls come from the Akoya oyster and used by Japanese and Chinese producers. They are the hardest pearls to grow because many of them simply don't live. Less than 5 in 10 will survive and only forty percent will produce the necessary nacre. The fact is that only 5% of pearls are considered high quality. That is a fairly low percentage. The most famous freshwater pearl is the Biwa. They are from the family Uniondaie which produces 20 different species. That is certainly a contrast to other species.

If you are buying cultured pearls you want to look for any flaws or spots in the nacre. The best pearls will have a smooth texture and appearance. The shape and size should be consistent and the color pure. You can tell a cultured pearl from a natural pearl with a simple test. If you take a pearl and rub it gently on the edge of your tooth. Cultured and natural pearls will feel rough like sandpaper. Imitations on the other hand will feel as smooth as glass because the surface is either moulded or painted. You should store your cultured pearls away from other jewellery so it doesn't get scratched. Chemicals like perfumes could stain your pearls. Clean them with water and a soft cloth.

Today consumers can get cultured pearls in many colors from pale creams to white rose, lilac, green, gold, gray and black. This is possible through different countries and new molluscs. The demand comes from the clients who are now demanding colored pearls. Pearls have been admired through history and even worshipped. In Persian mythology pearls are called "the tears of the gods." For the Muslims the pearl represents Gods first act of creation. In Chinese culture the pearl comes from the moon that is thought to give them their glow and mystery. The Greeks believed pearls were dew from the moon that was collected by the pearl oysters as they manoeuvred the sea at night. The quality of cultured pearls gets judged by the orient. They should have a soft glow and shine. The nice thing about cultured pearls is that they can be found in necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, broaches, pins and so much more at discounted prices online.