Pearls, pearls, pearls...
Ever since the history of mankind, women (and men alike) have been fascinated with finding pearls, creating jewelry of pearls, and wearing pearls. It is such a wide-spread passion, that just like with all items desired by masses, a lot of fakes have been created, known as faux pearls or glass pearls. This lens is dedicated to genuine pearls that are formed by shells or mollusks. The difference between natural and cultured pearls is explained.Some beautiful, affordable and unique pearl jewelry is offered on our website Classic Treasures for the buyer who admires classical elegance and good taste.
The Difference Between Natural versus Cultured Pearl
Natural pearls
Natural pearls are nearly 100% nacre. It is thought that natural pearls form under a set of accidental conditions when a microscopic intruder or parasite enters a bivalve mollusk, and settles inside the shell. The mollusk, being irritated by the intruder, secretes the calcium carbonate substance called nacre to cover the irritant. This secretion process is repeated many times, thus producing a pearl. Natural pearls come in many shapes, with round ones being comparatively rare.
Cultured pearls
Cultured pearls (nucleated and non-nucleated or tissue nucleated cultured pearls) can be distinguished from natural pearls by X-ray examination. Nucleated cultured pearls are often 'pre-formed' as they tend to follow the shape of the implanted shell bead nucleus. Once the pre-formed beads are inserted into the oyster, it secretes a few layers of nacre around the outside surface of the implant before it is removed after six months or more. When a nucleated cultured pearl is X-rayed it will reveal a different structure than that of a natural pearl. It exhibits a solid center with no concentric growth rings, compared to a solid center with growth rings.
Books About Pearls on Amazon
The Pearl
Amazon Price: $9.00 (as of 12/02/2008) 
Girl with a Pearl Earring
Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 12/02/2008)
Tiffany Pearls
Amazon Price: $31.50 (as of 12/02/2008)
Pearls (Fred Ward Gem Book)
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 12/02/2008)
Making Designer Gemstone and Pearl Jewelry
Amazon Price: $22.49 (as of 12/02/2008)
Pearl Lovers Nook
Pirates of the Caribbean Visual Guide (Pirates of the Caribbean)
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 12/02/2008)
Dictionary of Gems and Gemology
Amazon Price: $359.00 (as of 12/02/2008)
Pearls: A Natural History
Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2008)
People And Pearls: The Magic Endures
Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2008)
Simply Pearls: Designs for Creating Perfect Pearl Jewelry
Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 12/02/2008)
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