Cultured Pearl Jewelry Guide

Cultured pearls come in several colors and varieties. For example Tahitian pearls are typically black, and there are also varying shades of white, pink, gray, and golden pearls. Biwa pearls are freshwater pearls from Japan, and Mabe pearls are cultivated pearls that are grown attached to the inside of the shell. There are pearls for all preferences and budgets.

Pearls of all types are set into jewelry and sold in markets throughout the world. The perennial favorite is the pearl necklace strand, which is available in choker, princess, matinee, and opera length, and comes is graduated or uniform strand sizes. The graduated pearl necklace with have smaller pearls near the clasp and larger pearls at the center, and uniform strands will include all pearls within the same size range. Generally the uniform strands are more expensive.

Hand knotted pearl strands are the best quality in terms of structure. This method uses two strands and an overhand knot is made between each pearl. The knot is typically visible between the pearls so it must be done neatly. Hand knotting prevents the loss of the pearls should the strand break

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The process of creating cultured pearls was developed in the early 1900s by three Japanese researchers, one of whom was Kokichi Mikimoto. He found that inserting bead tissue into an Akoya oyster produced a perfectly round pearl. He patented the technique in 1916 and the cultured pearl industry was born. His process allowed cultivation or farming of high quality, round pearls in large numbers, making them affordable to everyone.

Cultured pearls are formed by intentionally inserting a foreign object into a mollusk, typically an oyster, and waiting for the natural process of nacre to build up. It takes 2 - 5 years for cultured pearls to grow in modern "pearl farms". Oysters are bred on the farms and when they are about 2 years old they are surgically implanted with a bead made of mother-of-pearl. X rays are used to track the development of the pearl until it is harvested. After the pearls are extracted they are washed and polished, and then sold to jewelers around the world.

Almost all of the pearls sold today are cultured pearls grown on pearl farms. The techniques developed and refined over the last century have allowed modern pearl farmers to produce pearls that conform to specific standards. Natural pearls are less than one percent of those available on the market nowadays. All cultured pearls are cleaned and polished to enhance the luster before being sold to jewelers.

Knowing the proper care of cultured pearls will make them last a lifetime. They are not true gemstones, but rather a natural organic substance. In other words they are not rocks.

Wearing pearls often is the best way to keep pearls lustrous. The body's natural oils serve as a polish to keep the sheen alive. Household and cosmetic chemicals can dull the pearl's luster and damage them. Put on pearls last when getting ready for the day and take them off right away when arriving home. Make sure to clean any spills from the pearls right away. This not only preserves the pearl surface but also the silk on which they are strung.

Wipe pearl jewelry with a soft cloth to clean them after wearing. Avoid harsh jewelry cleaners. It's also a good practice to store them separate from other jewelry to avoid scratching their surface. Keeping pearls in soft linen in a slightly humid area will help keep them from drying out. Restring pearls when any type of residue builds up on the strands or if it becomes brittle, and replace individual pearls if they become damaged.

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