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Pearls have fascinated people all over the world for hundreds and hundreds of years. They have magic and mystique, a warmth and glow, and are the only gem created by a living organism.
Pearls are found in pearl oysters, although it wasn’t until the late 19th century that people fully understood how pearls were created. It was then that the relationship between pearl oysters and parasites was discovered.
It is when a foreign body of some sort, such as a grain of sand or a parasite finds its way into the oyster that it reacts. It coats the irritant with layer upon layer of the pearly substance known as ‘nacre’, and this gives the pearl its unique appearance and iridescent beauty.
This is the natural pearl, but its rarity and high price could not satisfy the demands of the consumers. What was needed was a way to guarantee a steady supply, and this lead to the discovery of the cultured pearl.
Culturing is a way to entice oysters to produce round pearls on demand. In this case, humans rather than nature introduce the irritant. The secret is to insert a piece of oyster epithelial membrane (the lip of mantle tissue) with a nucleus of shell or metal, into an oyster’s body. This causes the tissue to form a pearl sack, and that sack then secretes nacre to coat the nucleus, thus creating a pearl. |
Care of Pearls
Even cultured pearls with thicker coatings are more fragile than most other gemstones, so you must handle them carefully to keep them in the best condition. Your pearls will stay cleaner if you put them on after you've applied your makeup and perfume.
Be sure to take off your pearl rings before you apply hand and body creams.
Wipe your pearls with a soft, lint-free cloth as soon as you take them off. The cloth can be dampened with water or it can be dry. If damp, allow the pearls to air dry before putting them away. Dirty pearls can be cleaned with a mild soap and water. Never clean your pearls with solutions that contain ammonia or harsh detergents.
Don't put pearl jewelry in an ultrasonic cleaner. Don't use abrasive cleaners or rub pearls with abrasive cloth. Both can wear away the nacre coating, leaving you with a plain looking bead. |
Storing Pearls
Don't store your pearls with other jewelry, because they can be scratched easily when metal or gemstones rub against them. Find a special slot in your jewelry box for the pearls, or keep them in a soft bag made from chamois or another non-abrasive material.
Your fine pearl necklaces should be restrung periodically so that you're sure the silk or nylon cord holding them is in good shape. |