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Whilst the most desirable gemstones are natural gemstones this rule does not really
apply to pearls. The chances of finding a natural pearl in a wild oyster is in the
region of 1 in 10000 and this pearl is unlikely to have the most favorable characteristics
that we associate with good quality pearl jewelry. It is for these reasons that
most pearls used in jewelry today are cultured pearls. Cultured pearls are created
by implanting an oyster with a foreign body (called a nucleus) such as a bead. Once
detected the oyster's natural defense system creates a substance called nacre (a
form of calcium carbonate) which coats the object. Over time these layers of nacre
build up to form the beautiful and lustrous pearls that you will find in our
range of pearl jewelry. Pearls are mostly classified according to the region of
their occurance.
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Types of pearls
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Akoya
(Grown in Japan and China)
Akoya pearls are the classic cultured pearls of Japan.
They are the most lustrous of all pearls found anywhere in the world. |
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White South Sea
(Grown in Australia, Myanmar, Indonesia and the Phillipines)
White South Sea cultured pearls are grown in large
tropical or semi-tropical oysters in Australia, Myanmar, Indonesia and other Pacific
countries. They generally range in size from 10mm to 20mm and command premium prices
because of their relative rarity and large size.
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Tahitian
(Grown in French Polynesia)
Tahitian cultured pearls are grown in a variety of
large pearl oysters found primarily in French Polynesia. Their beautiful, unique
colors (which can range from light grey to black, and green to purple) and large
size can command very high prices.
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Freshwater
(Grown in Japan, China, and The United States)
Freshwater pearls can be found in bays and rivers
throughout the world. They are easily cultivated from freshwater mollusks in China,
Japan and the United States. Many are less lustrous than salt water cultured pearls
but their low price, unique shapes and colors have made them popular jewelry items
in recent years.
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Mabe
(Grown in Japan, Indonesia, French Polynesia and Australia)
Mabe pearls are hemispherical cultured pearls grown
against the inside shell of an oyster rather than within the oyster’s body. They
generally are used in earrings or rings which conceal their flat backs.
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| Expert Guidance |
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assistance |
| about our
policies, |
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Support Staff |
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12am-12pm EST |
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