How are Pearls Created?

I have been doing a ot of research about pearls lately in anticipation of recording a series of educational podcasts on the subject. There are so many interesting facts about pearls that I never knew! I thought it would be interesting to share what I have been learning on my blog.

Pearls are one of nature's most beautiful and unique wonders. Most jewels are mined from the earth but pearls are found inside LIVING creatures. They are the result of a biological process. Although they are most commonly found inside oysters, pearls can also form inside other mollusks such as clams and mussels. They can be formed in both saltwater and freshwater. Where they are formed can alter their appearance in many different ways but I will be researching more into that later.

Pearls are actually the mollusks' way of protecting itself from foreign. Oysters are a bivalve organism. This means it is made up of two parts, or valves that are attached by an elastic ligament that allows for the mollusk to open and eat. The mantle is an organ in the mollusk that produces its shell, made of a material called nacre, using minerals from its food.

The formation of a pearl begins when a foreign substance/object slips in between the mantle and the shell, irritating the mantle. Various types of irritants include organic material, parasites, or damage to the mantle that is displaced inside the mollusk's body. The mantle covers the irritant with layers of nacre (the material it uses to create its shell). A pearl is eventually formed!

Pearls can be formed naturally or can be cultured with human aide. Naturally formed pearls of good quality are very rare and are extremely expensive. They are usually sold as collector's items or are used as the centerpiece in unique jewelry. A fun and interesting historical pearl fact I came across while reading about rare natural pearls said that Cartier purchased the landmark Cartier jewelry store on Fifth Avenue in New York City with $100 cash and a double strand of matched natural pearls! The pearls were valued at $1 million dollars.

Cultured pearls are formed when the pearl harvester either implants a shell bead into the mollusk or cuts a small slit in the mantle tissue. The pearl then forms just as does a natural pearl. The pearl is then removed after about 6 months or more and made into jewelry. Then, customers can visit Shangby.com and shop for this pearl jewelry right at the source for discounted prices! :)