The pearl. As elegant and simple as it is complex and mysterious.

Known as an organic gemstone, pearls can be found across many oceans and seas of the world. Ranging from small seed pearls to large, irregular works of art in the form of Baroque pearls, the number of choices for those looking for a piece of pearl jewelry is many.

There are four main types of cultured pearls in the market today, aside from a few pearls collected from uncultured sources: Akoya, Tahitian, South Sea, and Freshwater. The term ‘cultured’ refers to human intervention in the process of the pearl formation, typically by the insertion of an irritant into the mollusk. Over the course of time, the mollusk secrets a nacre that coats the irritant and, with the help of the pearl farmers, a pearl develops.

Several quality factors help to determine the price of a pearl including, but not limited to, its nacre, size, color, luster, and shape. Due to their organic nature, pearls require a great deal more care than other gemstones. As the rule goes “pearls should be the last item you put on as your leaving the house, and the first you take off when you get home.” The idea here is that you want to avoid exposing your pearls to perfumes, hairsprays, and oils from your hands. Regular wear can actually extend the life of your pearls as leaving them in an airtight container unworn can cause them to dry out.

Read more about these exotic gemstones on the GIA website here and be certain to contact us with any questions about your existing pearl jewelry or any new pieces that we can help you find!

-Mauk Jewelers