Pearl Education

The Pearl Necklace Comes in Many Sizes and Colors

The "classic" piece of pearl jewelry is, of course, the pearl necklace. Akoya pearls are the most traditional type of pearl used in necklaces, but freshwater pearls, Black Tahitian pearls, and large South Sea pearls are also used, often to stunning effect. Akoyas, of course, exhibit the traditional white, silver, or cream colors, while Tahitians and South Sea pearls yield pearl necklaces ranging from bright white to darker tones. Freshwater...

Pearl Care
Pearls are the world's only organic gem and are composed mainly of calcium carbonate. This means special attention is required to ensure pearls will stay beautiful and last a lifetime.

Pearls Require Special Care

Because pearls are an organic gemstone, they are different from other gemstones and precious metals.
They are softer and more delicate, and they can therefore be more easily scratched, cracked, and damaged.
In addition, substances such as perfume and hair spray -and...

Pearl Nacre Defined
Nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, is a crystalline substance that creates the iridescent visual effect attributed to pearls.



Nacre is an organic substance secreted by mollusks to produce their shells. It may be used to protect the animal against an intruder (the so called "irritant") or an implanted nucleus in pearl farming.
It is a strong and resilient material that is lightweight, reflective and translucent, allowing light to pass through its surface as well as...

Imitation Pearls Defined
Imitation pearls are products elaborated to simulate the appearance of cultured or natural pearls, but do not possess same natural chemical composition or physical properties nor origin (a living organism) of cultured or natural pearls.

A group of Artificial/Imitation/Faux Pearls.

Imitation pearls are man-made or man-worked or faux perles, as they are known in the jewelry trade.

Imitation Pearls are Manufactured in Factories

Imitation pearls are artificial...

By Caitlin Williams and Kathie Hodson

The Pearl

Millions of dollars, arranged murder, historical fabrications, journeys across vast oceans and battles in court? all are attached to what some people have called the ugliest pearl in the world. Complex and treacherous like the myriad folds on the surface of the 14-pound baroque pearl (the world's largest), so too are the tales and trials surrounding the famed Pearl of Allah. Since the day of its discovery, the Pearl of Allah, otherwise known...

Naming Problems

Ever since Shohei Shirai's book "Pearls and Pearl Oysters of the World" (1994) came out, many species that were once believed to be different have been confirmed as actually belonging to one species. Such is the case for the Pinctada imbricata species, that now encompasses species that were once considered unique to one area. Under this name we now have the former species of "Akoya" pearl oysters: P. fucata, P. martensii, P. radiata, P. anomioides, P. vulgaris, and several...