Pearl Guide

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Occidental pearls: Historical term used to describe natural pearls from Mexico, dates to the 16th century but fell from usage after 1930.

Oil pearls: Imitation pearls worked from the columella (see) of the Trochus and Turbo snails.

Oiling: Process of soaking a natural or cultured pearl in warm oil to diminish the visibility of cracks.

Opera necklace: Pearl necklace measuring 28 to 35...

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PAPPE: Philippine Association of Pearl Producers and Exporters.

Paraffin: A wax often used to fill the cavity of cultured and imitation blister pearls.

Parasite theory: Natural pearl growth theory suggesting that parasitic invasion of a mollusk's shell, typically by a boring worm, catalyzes natural pearl production. Postulated in the mid-19th century, it was the first theory that...

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Quadrula metanerva: Natural pearl producing freshwater mollusk found in the United States, otherwise known as the monkeyface or knobbed rock shell.

Quadrula nodulata: Natural pearl producing freshwater mollusk found in the United States, otherwise known as the wartyback, two-horned pocketbook, pimpleback, winged pimpleback, nodule and winged orb shell.

Quadrula pustulosa: Natural pearl...

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radial structure: Calcite or aragonite crystals of a pearl's prismatic layer are arranged in a pattern, so they radiate like rays of sunlight from a central core. In a cross-section view, the crystals stand on end rather than lie flat as in the nacre layer.

rainbow pearl: From Pteria sterna but may exhibit colors similar to those of pearls from the black-lip mollusk (Pinctada...

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saltwater pearl: Natural or cultured pearl produced by a saltwater mollusk.

sand pearls: One of four Saxony quality factors used to describe natural German river pearls; sand pearls are of low quality. Also see: light pearls (highest quality), half-light pearls (high quality), and rotten pearls (lowest quality).

sautoir: Pearl strand longer than 36 inches (90 cm).

Saxon pearl necklace...

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Tahitian cultured pearl: Produced by a black-lip mollusk (Pinctada margaritifera) in French Polynesia.

Tahiti cultured pearl: Produced by a black-lip mollusk (Pinctada margaritifera) in French Polynesia.

Tahiti Black Pearl Promotion Association: Founded in 1994 to promote Tahitian cultured pearls in the United States.

Takara pearl: Imitation pearl made with a mother-of-pearl nucleus...