All About Pearls - 1Earth Jewelry, Gemstone & Appraisals Magazine

Pearl Learning Guide

Cultivation
Color
Luster (Lustre)
Shape
Size
Surface Markings and Blemishes

Akoya Cultured Pearls
Freshwater Cultured Pearls
South Sea Cultured Pearls
Tahitian Cultured Pearls
Pearl Care

Akoya Cultured Pearls
Akoya pearls are produced in several varieties of saltwater mollusks in Japan and China. They were the first to be cultured, in the early 1920s, and are the most popular pearls used in strands and earrings. They produce the most consistently round pearls with high luster and very slight imperfections. Their colors range from cream and white to white-rosé. Initially, they look similar to round freshwater pearls, but compared side-by-side, the difference in luster and color is obvious.

Freshwater Cultured Pearls
These pearls are gathered from freshwater lake and river mollusks. Most freshwater pearls come from China. They are mostly round to off-round, or rice-shaped to baroque. They appear similar to Akoya pearls but are the perfect gift when shopping on a budget. They might be slightly less symmetrical, smaller, or not as easily matched, but these minor differences provide a major value for the price.

South Sea Cultured Pearls
South Sea pearls are primarily cultured in the northern waters of Australia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. They are either white or black with silver overtones. Because of their size, high luster, and sensitivity of the oyster to culturing, they are quite valuable and rare. They average from 11 to 13 millimeters but can even be found as large as 20 millimeters. The oyster that produces these pearls is considerably larger than those that produce Akoya pearls and is extremely sensitive to the cultivation process. Gathering acceptable South Sea cultured pearls from these oysters is difficult and makes them more expensive than Akoyas.

Tahitian Cultured Pearls
The natural black color of the Tahitian pearl comes from the black-lipped variety of the Pinctada maxima oyster. These oysters are farmed on the volcanic atolls of Tahiti, where the mixture of nutrient-rich ocean water mixes with warm lagoons, creating an ideal environment for them--and the only place where Tahitian pearls can be found. Like the South Sea pearl oyster, the black-lipped Pinctada maxima is sensitive to the cultivation process, making the Tahitian pearl rare and expensive. Though they are, on average, slightly smaller than the South Sea pearl, Tahitian pearls are larger than Akoyas, and their black color adds a dramatic touch.

Pearl Care
Taking proper care of your pearls is not difficult if you remember that they are organic--produced by a living thing. Pearls are soft and delicate, but if cared for with common sense, they will maintain their luster for centuries. Pearls should not come in contact with cosmetics, hairspray, perfume, chlorinated water, or other harsh chemicals. To keep them clean, they should be the last item put on when dressing and the first item removed at the end of an evening. The best way to maintain their luster is to wear the pearls often and wipe them down with a soft cloth afterward--pearls absorb the oils from skin, which helps keep them moist. To avoid nicks or chipping, separate pearls from other jewelry by storing them in a cloth pouch or jewelry bag. Pearl strands should be restrung periodically because the silk thread used to tie the pearls together breaks down over time.