Jewelry shoppers are only interested in the lustrous inner layer (called the nacre or mother-of-pearl layer) of a mollusk’s shell.  Mollusks such as mussels, clams and oysters have soft inner bodies and hard outer shells.  The shell of these animals acts as a protective enclosure and it is secreted by their mantle organ.  The shells have three different layers, but we jewelry shoppers are only interested in the nacre (pronounced NAY-ker) which is made of plate-like crystals of calcium carbonate and may be white, pink, salmon, or purple.  The epithelial cells of the mantle are responsible for the creation of both the shell and pearls.  In nature, when a grain of sand (or other irritating substance) gets stuck between the mollusk’s mantle and shell, it secretes nacre to coat the irritant.  Pearls are simply the result of a biological process - the mollusk’s way of protecting itself from foreign substances - a pearl is in fact a foreign substance covered with successive layers of nacre.

To produce cultivated pearls, a mollusk is implanted with an irritant (commonly a small mother-of-pearl bead), and the animal then secretes nacre that encapsulates the irritant.  Some 3-5 years later they are harvested, opened and cleaned.  The various pearl qualities, sizes and colors are manually separated.  The shell may also be saved to make mother-of-pearl jewelry.

Pearl quality is determined by the Luster (the shinier the pearl, the better), Size (a larger pearl of high quality is more valuable than a smaller pearl of the same quality), Blemishes (the less blemishes/specks, the more valuable the pearl), Girdles (ring shaped stripes on pearls can be fun, but lessens the value of the pearl) and Shape (the perfect round pearl is considered of higher value than other shapes, however fashion can dictate otherwise!).

Natural colors occurring in freshwater pearls are shades of whites and pinks, including coral pinks and lilac pinks.  Other colors, such as silver gray to dark gray/black, gold and other “fun” colors are man-made.  This is achieved by immersing the natural pearls into a chemical cocktail in combination with ultraviolet rays, a process that takes approximately 30 days.
 

The Power of Pearls

Gemstone of the moon.  Astrological signs of Cancer and Gemini.  The pearl signifies faith, charity, and innocence, enhances personal integrity, and helps focus one’s attention.  They help one master the heart chakra, and have been used in the treatment of digestive disorders, and to increase fertility and ease childbirth.  Birthstone for June.  Anniversary gemstone for the 1st year of marriage. 

Caring For Your Pearl Jewelry

“Last On, First Off” is the golden rule for natural pearls.  When you dress, put your pearls on last. When you undress, take your pearls off first.  Pearls are sensitive to chemicals, so avoid hairspray, perfume or other chemicals on your pearls.  Any chemicals may alter the luster of the pearls.  Should your pearls become dirty, wipe them with a dampened soft cloth.   Do not immerse them in water or detergent/water, as the thread may get weak, or stretch/shrink.   Don't put pearl jewelry in an ultrasonic cleaner, and don't use abrasive cleaners or rub pearls with abrasive cloth, as this can wear away the nacre coating, leaving you with a plain looking bead.  
 

The natural oils of your skin will enhance the luster of your pearls, so wear your pearls often!

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I wish you happy shopping!

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