Pearls are the ocean's most beloved lustrous treasures. With a long and fascinating history, they've been referenced in religions and myths across the world.
They're formed in oysters, mussels or clams naturally through a process that can take years. The mollusk identifies an irritant that's found in the seawater and then secretes a type of fluid that traps the irritant.
The nacre (or mother of pearl) inside the shell surrounds the irritant to make it less irritating and eventually a beautiful, lustrous pearl is formed.
Natural pearls are rarer than cultured pearls, which is why they're more expensive.
They can be classified into three basic categories: Keshi pearls, freshwater and South Sea pearls.
Keshi pearls are the most lustrous and are often referred to as "native" or "natural" pearls because they're produced naturally without any artificial core. They're also available in a variety of colors and are surprisingly affordable, which is why they've become one of the most popular types of pearls on the market today.
Cultured freshwater pearls are a more affordable alternative to natural and keshi pearls, but they're not as lustrous or as diverse in color. They're also more likely to have blemishes on their surface, which can be very visible and can affect the value of the pearl.
In order to care for your pearls properly, they must be cleaned with non-abrasive soap and water. They should not be immersed in chemicals or ultrasonic jewelry cleaners, and they should never be exposed to heat. It's also important to have them restrung every year, so that the strand remains even and uniform in size, shape, color and luster.
