Pearls have been adorned by women in various forms as far back as the Egyptians. In several circumstances, pearl necklaces have become family heirlooms. There are several sizes, shapes and colors of pearls; some are formed in freshwater and others in saltwater. However, there are only two processes by which they are formed; natural or cultivated. This begs the question, natural or cultured in the making of pearl necklaces.
As one would surmise, natural pearls are created by nature. Sometimes called the gem of the sea, they are naturally formed inside a host shell. These can be oysters, mussels and other forms of shellfish. A pearl will form when some type of irritant enters the shell. This may be nothing more than a bit of sand or a shell fragment. Responding in a protective mode, the organism covers the foreign substance with thin layers called nacre.
Natural pearls must be searched for and harvested from the body of water in which they reside. This can be perilous, especially if the shells are in deep waters. Not all shells produce pearls, therefore production is not controlled. For these reasons, natural pearls can be far more expensive when used for necklaces. This does not mean, however, that natural is better than cultured in their beauty.
Tahitian pearls are also commonly referred to as black pearls. This group is rarely ever pure black, but more a dark greenish black in color. They may also produce blue, brown and deep grey colors. They can only be produced by specific types of oysters that are indigenous to the saltwater bodies located throughout the South Pacific, including the Sea of Japan.
Luminosity also referred to as luster, impacts quality and value. Depending on the type of host organism, they may also show iridescence. A good standard to follow is; the greater the luster, as well as the presence of iridescence, the higher the quality and value.
It is both believed and proven that cultivation can produce the perfect pearl. This has resulted in significantly diminishing the search for natural shell producers. However, the best quality cultured product can command a price as high as the rarer natural one.
Beyond natural or cultured, there are many different types of pearls from which to choose. At the basic, they are freshwater or saltwater, so labeled by the natural habitat in which the organism lives. There are also a number of subsets to saltwater pearls depending on the type of organism and the temperature of the water. Given access to the right organisms, all group types can be cultivated.
Preferences and finances are more of a consideration than debating the question of natural or cultured in the making of pearl necklaces. By sheer production numbers, cultured pearls are more readily available for jewelry making. This does not necessarily make them more cost-effective, especially in the case of Mikimoto necklaces. Most likely, the biggest decision will center on the style desired. Be they single or multiple strands, short or long.
As one would surmise, natural pearls are created by nature. Sometimes called the gem of the sea, they are naturally formed inside a host shell. These can be oysters, mussels and other forms of shellfish. A pearl will form when some type of irritant enters the shell. This may be nothing more than a bit of sand or a shell fragment. Responding in a protective mode, the organism covers the foreign substance with thin layers called nacre.
Natural pearls must be searched for and harvested from the body of water in which they reside. This can be perilous, especially if the shells are in deep waters. Not all shells produce pearls, therefore production is not controlled. For these reasons, natural pearls can be far more expensive when used for necklaces. This does not mean, however, that natural is better than cultured in their beauty.
Tahitian pearls are also commonly referred to as black pearls. This group is rarely ever pure black, but more a dark greenish black in color. They may also produce blue, brown and deep grey colors. They can only be produced by specific types of oysters that are indigenous to the saltwater bodies located throughout the South Pacific, including the Sea of Japan.
Luminosity also referred to as luster, impacts quality and value. Depending on the type of host organism, they may also show iridescence. A good standard to follow is; the greater the luster, as well as the presence of iridescence, the higher the quality and value.
It is both believed and proven that cultivation can produce the perfect pearl. This has resulted in significantly diminishing the search for natural shell producers. However, the best quality cultured product can command a price as high as the rarer natural one.
Beyond natural or cultured, there are many different types of pearls from which to choose. At the basic, they are freshwater or saltwater, so labeled by the natural habitat in which the organism lives. There are also a number of subsets to saltwater pearls depending on the type of organism and the temperature of the water. Given access to the right organisms, all group types can be cultivated.
Preferences and finances are more of a consideration than debating the question of natural or cultured in the making of pearl necklaces. By sheer production numbers, cultured pearls are more readily available for jewelry making. This does not necessarily make them more cost-effective, especially in the case of Mikimoto necklaces. Most likely, the biggest decision will center on the style desired. Be they single or multiple strands, short or long.
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Learn more about the four primary groups of pearls used for pearl necklaces now in our complete guide to exquisite akoya pearl necklace options.