Pearl
Lustrous. Organic. Classic.
Pearls are organic gems that grow inside the tissue of a living saltwater or freshwater mollusk. The most familiar are white and cream pearls, but the palette of colors extends to every hue. Akoya, South Sea, Tahitian and fresh water pearls are the four major types of cultured whole pearls available.
Akoya pearl is the most favored and popular choice of pearls cultured from Akoya oyster in Japan and China. They are best known for their use in beautiful, well-matched pearl strands, which feature nearly identical in size, shape, color and quality.
South Sea pearls are cultured in Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. South Sea pearls have the highest value and command the highest prices of all types of pearls. They are generally much larger and also have the thickest average nacre of all cultured pearls. South Sea pearls have a unique, soft reflection due to the large aragonite platelets that make up the pearl.
Tahitian cultured pearls are the only naturally black colored pearls on the planet. Their natural color comes from black lip oysters. They are cultured primarily around the islands of French Polynesia, the most familiar being Tahiti. They feature overtones that are greenish, bluish or purplish.
Freshwater pearls are usually cultured in freshwater lakes and ponds. They’re produced in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors in China and the US.
Pearls have long been associated with purity, humility and innocence. Ancients from the Middle East believed that pearls were teardrops fallen from heaven. Lustrous, smooth, subtly-colored pearls are timeless staples beloved by women of all ages.
Pearl is the birthstone for June and the gem of the third and thirtieth anniversaries.
Jewelry care:
Pearls are not meant to be worn every day and require special care and maintenance. Avoid contact with chemicals, perfumes and hair sprays. They should be the last thing you put on and first thing you take off. To clean, gently wipe them with a moist cloth.