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What are pearls?
The way pearls are made is amazing. Pearls form over time as organic invaders penetrate deep into the soft tissues of pearl shellfish mollusks. The pearl mollusk then coats the invader with multiple layers of natural minerals and proteins called mother-of-pearl (Nay-Ker). This is what gives pearls their unique look, beautiful luster and color. Today, natural pearls are so rare that artificial pearls have been recreated by cultured pearl breeders.
It is highly unlikely that natural pearls will be found in the wild. Unlike cultured pearls, which are graded in millimeters, natural pearls are graded by carat weight.
The process of culturing pearls is artificial, but the resulting pearls are as genuine as natural pearls. Cultured pearls are cultured using two types of bivalve mollusks: freshwater river mussels or saltwater pearls. To create a cultured pearl, a small bead and a small piece of tissue are implanted into the oyster to stimulate the production of mother-of-pearl.
Color
Pearls are available in white, rose, black, silver, gold or pink. Different colors can be seen when light is reflected off the surface of the pearl. For example, a pearl chain may look white at first glance, but a closer look may reveal a translucent color of rose, green or blue.
Luster
The combination of a pearl's external luster and internal brilliance, known as nacre, is produced by light reflected from the calcium carbonate crystals that make up the nacre. The luster depends on the thickness of the layers, the transparency and the arrangement of the layers. These factors vary according to the type of pearl and the time of growth.
Shape
There are three main pearl shapes: spherical, symmetrical, baroque or asymmetrical.
Surface smoothness
When mollusks produce pearls, the pearl layer does not always adhere smoothly. Sometimes spots and air bubbles (called surface markings) appear during the layering process. The smoothest surface pearls are the highest quality, most sought after and most expensive pearls.
Care
There are several gemstone treatments commonly used to enhance the beauty of pearls. Each Akoya pearl undergoes a bleaching treatment that removes dark spots and produces a more uniform color. The treatment can also include irradiation and dyeing. Dyes are used to produce many different shades of color, especially in freshwater species.
Size
The size of a pearl depends greatly on the type. Freshwater pearls are about 3.0-13.0mm, Akoya are about 6.0-8.5mm, and South Sea and Tahitian pearls can measure up to 13mm.
Although there is no standardized grading system for pearl quality, there are many factors that can help determine the value of a pearl, including the type, size, shape, color, pearl quality and luster, as well as its rarity and weight (for natural pearls) or size (for cultured pearls).
There are many reasons to evaluate the quality of pearl jewelry, for example, it can take years to produce a freshwater pearl chain, size, shape and color, if the same South Sea pearls are used, which is why South Sea pearls are more expensive.
How to recognize real and fake pearls
Pearls should be the last piece of jewelry a woman puts on her body and the first one she removes. The luster of the pearls is dulled by hairspray, lotion and perfume.
By wearing it regularly, the natural oils in your body will keep the pearl's luster. Wipe them with a soft cloth before storing. Store them separately from other harder jewelry to avoid scratches. Pearl jewelry is best stored in soft bags rather than plastic bags.
For daily use, it is recommended to have the thread of the pearl chain re-made every 3 years, or if you find that the thread of the pearl chain is discolored or worn out, it is also recommended to have the thread of the pearl chain re-made by a jeweler. In some jewelry, the pearls are glued to the needles by craftsmanship. Sometimes they can become dislocated. Don't worry, DiamondAsia will be happy to help you repair it.
How to recognize real and fake pearls
The biggest difference between a real pearl and a fake pearl is the way the surface feels. Real pearls have a slightly uneven surface feel, whereas plastic or glass pearls have a very smooth surface.
Since pearls are made in nature, the size, color and luster of real pearls will vary slightly compared to the uniform appearance of fake pearls. Pearl Care