Pearl, birthstone for June.
Two main types of pearl found in jewellery today are cultured freshwater and cultured saltwater pearls.
Pearls occur when oysters/molluscs secrete a deposit called nacre around a foreign body that has become trapped inside the shell.
These layers of nacre build up to form a pearl.
The thicker the pearl nacre layer, the more valuable the pearl.
Pearls that occur naturally are rare and are expensive, most pearls are produced from human interference placing the foreign bodies inside the shell of the mollusc.
Cultured pearls means that they are artificially nurtured and this is usually done on a pearl farm.
Pearls are often white or cream but can vary quite a lot according to the natural colour of the nacre in the various species of mollusc used, therefore producing black and various pastel shades.
Pearls have been used in jewellery for many years to make necklaces,
bracelets, earrings and rings.
We have a selection of pearl jewellery in store and can make certain commissions to order.
|
