ABOUT PEARLS

Pearls have long been a symbol of luxury, wealth, and elegance. They are the only organic gemstone. Jewelry made from genuine pearls is valuable and timeless. They are a suitable gift for occasions such as christenings, graduations, and weddings, among others.

Their simplicity and natural beauty suit every woman.

Natural pearls

A pearl is born inside a mollusk - a pearl oyster. A small foreign object, such as a grain of sand, enters the shell. This grain triggers a defensive reaction in the pearl oyster, and it begins to secrete nacre and coat the foreign body. This is a natural process in the wild.

These pearls are very rare and can only be purchased at auctions or from renowned jewelers.

Cultured pearls

Most pearls sold today come from farms. Cultured pearls also form inside a pearl oyster, and this process is the same as with natural pearls, except that the foreign body is intentionally inserted into the pearl oyster. The growth period of a pearl ranges from one to several years. The main pearl farming areas include China, Japan, Tahiti, and Vietnam.

Types of pearls

Pearls are divided into two categories: FRESHWATER AND SALTWATER

Saltwater Pearls - several basic types of pearls can be distinguished

• Akoya pearls come from China, Vietnam, or Japan. In the warmer waters of China, pearls can grow up to twice as fast as in the colder Japanese waters. They usually range in size from 5 to 9 mm, and their color can vary: white, white with pink, blue, or golden undertones, cream, silver, green. Other shades are organically dyed. Japanese Akoya pearls are among the most beautiful white pearls in the world. A pearl oyster produces 1-2 pearls in its lifetime.

      Pearl classification: A-AAA system

• Tahitian pearls are produced by a special species of oyster with black edges found in French Polynesia. The color of the pearls is influenced by the coloration of the pearl oyster's lips. The color of "black" Tahitian pearls is not actually black. Pearls in shades of silver, gray, brown - chocolate, and lilac predominate. The rarest Tahitian pearls are in peacock blue and green. Pearl size: 7-18 mm, exceptionally even 20 mm. These pearls are also rare because only a small portion of these oysters survive in farms. Individual pearls vary considerably from each other, so hundreds need to be sorted to assemble a necklace, for example.

     They are some of the most beautiful and largest saltwater pearls in the world.

     Pearl classification: A-D system, also A-AAA system

• South Sea pearls - growers of these pearls include Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, and Burma. The size is usually 8 mm-20 mm. The most common colors are white, silver, gold, yellow-orange, bluish; they may also have a pink, green, or blue tint. The coloration of these pearls is also influenced by the coloration of the pearl oyster's lips, which can grow up to 35 cm in size.

      Pearl classification: A-D system, also A-AAA

• Mabe pearls always have a hemispherical shape. They are grown in China, Japan, and the USA.

Freshwater pearls are produced by, among others, river pearl mussels. In farming, smaller foreign bodies are used than in saltwater farms. Up to 20 or more pearls can grow simultaneously in a single pearl mussel, compared to saltwater pearls, where a maximum of 2 pearls can grow simultaneously. As a result, freshwater pearls are more affordable. The pearl is entirely composed of nacre. Currently, their quality is often comparable to saltwater pearls.

• Pearl size 2 mm - 16 mm. Colors: white, cream, pink, salmon, purple. Shades of blue, black, brown, and green are organically dyed.
• Pearl classification: A-AAA system

PEARL CLASSIFICATION 

• The quality of pearls is assessed according to several parameters (especially shape, luster, percentage of defects). Two quality grading systems are used worldwide: AAA-AA-A, or A-D designation (sometimes referred to as the Tahitian grading).
• AAA - A System
• The AAA - A system grades pearls on a scale from AAA to A, with AAA being the highest quality designation. This grading system is used primarily for freshwater pearls and Akoya saltwater pearls, but is also often accepted for South Sea and Tahitian pearls:

AAA - highest quality pearls, virtually flawless pearls, the surface has a very high luster and at least 95% of the pearl's surface is free of any type of natural defect (dots, grooves). The pearl should have a perfectly round shape and high luster. For Akoya saltwater pearls in this quality, the nacre thickness should be 0.4 mm or more (this does not apply to freshwater pearls, as they are entirely composed of nacre)

AA - standard quality, the pearl surface should have a high luster, and at least 75% of the pearl surface should be free of natural defects. The pearl shape is almost round, the luster will be very nice, with a thick layer of nacre. Overall, AA pearls are of very nice quality, but not as beautiful as AAA quality.

A - lowest quality, this is the lowest quality pearl with lower luster or defects on more than 25% of the pearl surface. There may be grooves, dots on the pearl surface, and their shape may not be very regular.

A-D System 

• The system grades pearls on a scale from A to D, with A denoting the highest quality. The system is used in French Polynesia and is based on the local government standard. This system is used primarily for grading Tahitian and South Sea pearls, which is why it is often referred to as the "Tahitian system". 
• A: Highest quality pearls with very high luster and only minor imperfections on less than 10% of their surface.
• B: The pearl has high or medium luster. The surface may have some visible imperfections, but on less than 30% of its area.
• C: Medium luster with surface defects on less than 60% of the pearl surface area.
• D: The pearl may have many minor defects, without any deep defects, distributed over more than 60% of its surface; or a combination of minor and deep defects on less than 60% of its surface. In this quality, the pearl's luster is irrelevant. Even the most lustrous pearls will be graded as D if their surface is damaged to the extent indicated. Pearls graded lower than D are considered unsuitable for jewelry making.  

How to care for pearls in a nutshell 

• Store pearls separately to avoid scratching, preferably wrapped in a soft cloth.
• Apply perfumes, hairsprays, and other types of cosmetic products before putting on pearls.
• Never use cleaning agents when cleaning.
• Remove dirt from pearls with a soft cloth, damp tissue, or lukewarm water.
• It is advisable to have pearls restrung if they become loose. The knots between individual pearls protect all the pearls from unstringing and scattering in case of breakage. The knots also prevent the pearls from rubbing against each other and potentially damaging each other.