PEARLS

WHAT IS A PEARL?

A pearl is a small, shiny spherical object formed inside an oyster or nacre. Like mother-of-pearl, pearls are made up of layers of calcium carbonate. Ideal pearls are perfectly round and smooth, but most natural pearls come in various irregular shapes and colours (baroque pearls, rarities).

NATURAL PEARLS

they arise if a foreign body - e.g. a grain of sand - enters the shell of an oyster. This triggers a defensive reaction in the oyster, which begins to secrete a nacreous substance that settles on the foreign body. Only one pearl can grow in one oyster at a time. And the environment in which pearls are born also affects their appearance. Although it may seem like an insignificant difference to the layman, they differ according to whether they were formed in salt water, i.e. like seawater, or in fresh water and are therefore freshwater. Sea pearls look whiter and shinier, but to be sure of the pearl's origin, it is necessary to use an X-ray, or to look directly into the pearl itself thanks to a borehole. The sea pearls have a specific hard core that is covered with nacre, freshwater or river pearls are made entirely of nacre. These differences are due to the different procedure applied during cultivation. If you would still like real natural pearls, then know that they are extremely rare, which corresponds to their price. Natural pearls are very rare and more or less desirable, depending on the quantity, quality and shape of the nacre; they can be bought mostly at auctions.

PEARL CULTIVATION

Since then, we can say that in order for a person to have the birth of a pearl in his hands, he uses the method of cultivation. In layman's terms, we do not rely only on nature and the natural formation of pearls, which is very rare and unpredictable, but we help the pearls to form ourselves. During this process, a small part of the natural material is inserted directly into the mother-of-pearl, which is gradually covered with mother-of-pearl over a period of several years. Most of the pearls currently sold come from farms. These pearls are produced similarly to natural pearls, with the difference that a foreign body is introduced into the oysters on purpose. The growth period of a pearl varies from one year to several years. The main pearl farming areas include China, Japan, Tahiti and Vietnam. People have been trying to figure out a way to help control the formation of pearls. It succeeded, but only in 1916.

THE JAPANESE WHO CREATED THE PEARL

This procedure certainly sounds simple, but don't be fooled. According to preserved records, people have been striving for today's cultivation since ancient times. However, the one who recorded the first real success was called Kokichi Mikimoto. A Japanese man who patented a technique that gives rise to round and therefore high-quality pearls. During this, a tiny ball is inserted into the gonad of the oyster, and subsequently stimulates it to secrete nacre and create a pearl. The secretion of nacre actually has the task of protecting the mollusk from this foreign object. Mikimoto worked on this method for many years, and his efforts came to naught several times. Colonies of algae, which literally devastated his oysters with their toxins, were to blame. Nevertheless, or perhaps precisely because of this, he persevered and eventually celebrated success. Even after this great discovery, the pearls created in this way did not win the market. At first, people did not consider them genuine, but dismissed them as mere imitations. However, what finally convinced them otherwise was their affordable price and also the information through which they learned that, although they were created thanks to an artificially arranged body, they were real pearls. In addition, Mikimoto was also supported by his friend, the famous Thomas Edison, who greatly contributed to the fact that eventually people accepted pearls as genuine.

SEA OR FRESHWATER PEARLS?

It is interesting to note that the cultivation of pearls must take place in their natural environment. They don't do well in the lab. The sea, lakes and rivers are the right places, the purity of the water is essential to achieve a great result. Mankind has been fascinated by pearls since the first fisherman found them in oysters. Did you know that the birth of a pearl is caused by an oyster's defence mechanism? Yes, indeed. When an oyster (or mollusk) gets a bit of sand or the like, it starts to produce a milky substance called nacre. The oyster (or mollusc) envelops the intruder again and again, and thus the pearl is born. Tahitian pearls are made of black-billed oysters and are mainly found around French Polynesia and Tahiti. The colour is often dark green. Cultured pearls are grown in pearl farms, which is why today you can buy a real pearl at an affordable price. They can have different shapes and sizes, the most prized pearls are rounded from the sea.

PEARL CARE

Pearls are important to care for because of their organic origin. Calcium carbonate, like the pearls from which they are made, is very sensitive to dryness, moisture, acids, skin creams and hairsprays. It is therefore essential that the jewellery is kept in a dry and dark place.

Such an ideal place is a lockable jewellery box that has a fabric-covered interior. It is also advisable to put on the pearl necklace as the last thing, after finishing all the cosmetic treatments. In the event of an accident, the pearls should be wiped immediately with a damp cloth or rinsed with clean water, but under no circumstances should they be cleaned chemically.

They are also prone to being scratched by sharp objects, so it is advisable not to wear them with any other jewellery. However, it is necessary to wear the pearl necklace regularly, as its contact with your skin benefits it greatly.

TYPES OF PEARLS

AKOYA (Japanese salt water) come from China, Vietnam or Japan. They have a size of 5 to 9 mm and their colour can be different: cream, pink, silver or green. In the warmer waters off the coast of China, pearls can grow up to twice as fast as in the cooler waters of Japan.

TAHITIAN PEARLS are produced by a special type of oyster with black rims found in the region of French Polynesia. These pearls are also rare because only a small part of these oysters survive in farms. Individual pearls are very different from each other, so for example, hundreds of them need to be sorted to make a necklace.

SOUTH PACIFIC PEARLS are grown in Australia, Burma, Indonesia and other neighbouring countries. They usually measure 1 cm - 2 cm in diameter and therefore sell for high prices. Their colouring is usually white, yellow, yellow-orange or bluish; in addition, they can have a pink, green or blue tint.

MABE PEARLS have a hemispherical shape, which is because they are formed inside oysters on the walls of their shells. They are grown in China, Japan and the USA and, due to their shape, are mainly used for the production of rings and earrings, to which they are attached with the flat side.

FRESHWATER PEARLS are produced, among other things, by river pearls. Smaller foreign bodies are used in breeding than in marine farms. Freshwater pearls are cheaper than sea pearls, partly because up to 20 pearls can grow in one nacre at the same time.

INTERESTING NEWS

Marie Antoinette's pearl

On January 13, 2021, the auction of the century took place in Geneva, Switzerland. One of the most important collections of royal jewellery was auctioned here. The highlight of the auction was a drop-shaped pearl that belonged to Queen Marie Antoinette of France. French Queen Marie Antoinette's jewels included a large drop-shaped real pearl pendant set with diamonds that sold for a whopping $36 million. According to the auction house, this is a record. The jewels were auctioned in the Swiss capital of Geneva at the Sotheby's auction house. A total of 10 pieces of jewellery were auctioned. The most expensive piece from the royal collection is Marie Antoinette's pearl. The price was estimated at only 2 million dollars, converted to 45 million crowns. A pendant with a large true pearl in the shape of a drop with diamonds was finally auctioned for 32 million dollars, converted to 736 million crowns plus fees.Vložte svůj text...Enter your text here...