How are pearls made?

“Pearls are round, hard masses formed in the shells of mollusks. Natural pearls are made when a parasite enters a mollusk. If the parasite embeds itself into the mollusk’s soft mantle, the mollusk will cover the parasite with a sac and begin to form layers of nacre around the irritant. Nacre is the smooth, shiny, iridescent substance that makes up the interior of the mollusk, usually an oyster, and over time, the layers formed around the irritant will form a pearl. Nacre is composed of hexagonal platelets and elastic biopolymers, which makes the material strong and resilient. The mollusk continues to deposit layers of nacre, which protects the soft tissues of the mollusk and traps parasites inside the layers. This process continues as long as the mollusk lives.” (https://jewelryinfoplace.com/pearls/)

Finding a “natural” pearl (without man’s assistance) in an oyster is a true phenomenon because of the complexity of how a pearl is grown. Multiple factors such as the right irritant, age of the oyster, internal/external conditions, precise timing and long periods of time, all lend to the difficulty of a natural pearl actually being created. To find a truly beautiful and well-formed pearl is about a 1 in 100,000 chance. Even finding a natural pearl with flaws

and lack of luster is still only about a 1 in 10,000 chance.

So how are there so many pearls if they are so rare?

In 1883, Mikimoto Kōkichi started working with oysters to attempt to replicate the growth of natural pearls. After years of experimenting, he found that not only did the oyster need an irritant, it also needed a piece of mantel from another oyster shell. His first “cultured” (initiated by humans) pearl success was in 1893 when he was able to make a hemispherical cultured pearl. It took until 1905 before he was able to perfect the spherical cultured pearl we see today. This process is the main reason why we are able to enjoy pearls of our own today.

There are 3 primary oyster types are used to produce “cultured” pearls; freshwater mollusks, Akoya Oysters, Pinctada Oysters (Tahitian & South Sea pearls).  Offbeat Pearls  works with Akoya Oysters.

Saltwater oysters (Akoyas) are found in cold water. It takes an average of 2-5 years for an oyster to produce a pearl due to their slower metabolism/nacre deposits from the cold water. This extended production time is what helps the oyster to yield a round pearl with a beautiful, shiny luster.

 Akoya oysters usually only grow 1 pearl, but sometimes can grow 2 (twins).

What color are pearls?

Akoya pearl colors can include: white, cream, gold, pink, purple, blue and grey with different

overtone colors like silver and green. 

Akoya pearls are never naturally black – Black Akoya pearls have been dyed using proprietary processes.

Pearl color meanings?

White – Purity, Truth, Dreamer, Fertility, Innocence, Faith, Honesty, Protection, Sincerity, Peace

Gold – Riches, Wealth, Prosperity, Freedom, Success, Love, Illumination, Self-Esteem, Courage, Passion, Wisdom

Pink – Health, Love, Generosity, Romance, Power, Purity,  Energy, Kindness, Compassion, Loyalty, Faith, Protection, Happiness

Blue – Truth, Intuition, Trust, Responsibility, Tranquility, Confident, Loyal, Calming, Dependable, Courage

Silver – Dignity, Patience, Wisdom, Calming, Soothing, Focus, Insight, Cool, Dependability

Purple – Wisdom, Love, Artistic, Creativity, Riches, Leaders, Royalty,  Vitality, Pride, Motivation, Passion

Red – Power, Enthusiasm, Success, Extrovert, Energy, Vitality, Excitement, Passion, Love, Strength, Leadership, Respect, Determination, Assertiveness, Stability

Green – Balance, Nature, Money, Justice, Youth, Luck, Learning, Generosity, Life, Hope, Growth, Harmony, Renewal, Beauty,  Peace

Yellow – Creative, Cheerful, Happy, Optimistic, Wealth, Friendship, Uplifting, Intellectual, Clarity, Perception, Motivation, Blessing, Health

Brown – (Chocolate Pearls) Practical, Masculine, Grounded, Dependable, Stability, Harmony, Protection, Comfort, Elegance, Security, Healing, Reliability

Orange – Social, Playful, Warmth, Desire, Emotional, Courage, Success, Power, Happiness, Strength, Authority, Endurance, Stimulation

Black – Protection, Independence, Balance, Control, Rest, Mystery, Strength, Fascination, Allure, Prosperity, Riches

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How to take care of pearls?

Pearls are the only gem created by a living creature. Because of their delicate nature,

pearls need to be cared for to preserve their natural beauty.

Avoid contact with any corrosive agent like bleach, alcohol, chlorine, ammonia and acid.

 Remove pearls before bathing, applying lotions/perfumes, hair products, make-up, washing dishes, and swimming.

Do not use jewelry cleaners on pearls.

 Use a warm water and mild soap to clean. Dry and polish with a clean, soft cloth.