Pearls are unique in that they are created from oysters – a living creature. Natural pearls are rare to come by these days as such making them expensive compared to cultured pearls, which are created in abundance. The most expensive pearl in the world valued at $100 million is 75 pounds heavy and 26 inches long. Cleopatra made a very famous bet to Marc Antony that she would serve the world’s most expensive meal ultimately winning by dissolving her pearls in vinegar and drinking the mixture.
Natural pearls have been found in the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Strait of Mannar and form a large part of the history of the places along those coasts. Cultured pearls are found in farms across the world. Different varieties are found in different places as per below:
Pearls have a hardness of 2.5 – 3 on the Mohs scale of hardness. As they are on the lower side of the scale, pearls are prone to scratching and require care.
Pearls should be cleaned with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Keep away from any plastics and chemicals to avoid discolouration.
Pearls have a subtle shine making them a sophisticated choice. Pearls come in warm colours (orange, yellow and pink) and cool colours (green, blue and violet). Body colour, overtone and orient determine the colour and value of a pearl.
Luster is how the light gets reflected from a pearl and makes it shine. Pearls with good luster appear to have radiant reflections.
Pearl surfaces which have few irregularities or blemishes have higher value usually.
Round is the most difficult to culture and the most common shape liked by all. Pear, oval or baroque are also liked by jewellery lovers.
Large pearls are rarer than smaller ones and so command higher prices for similar quality factors.
The word pearl comes from the French perle / Latin perna meaning leg, a reference to the leg shape of the mollusk creating the pearl. It is a jewellery classic because of its pure white colour reminding us to be pure and true to ourselves. Pearls are loved and adorned by women all over the world as they instantly make an outfit sophisticated and chic. They are also known to bless the wearer with emotional well-being, positivity and confidence.
