The Different Types of Pearls

There are many different types of pearls which are made intorings

, necklaces and bracelets. But what are the different types and how do we tell them apart? We've compiled a list of the top 6 types of pearls so you can find out what makes each type of pearl so unique.

The difference between natural pearls and cultured pearls

Before explaining some of the most common types of pearls used in jewellery, we must first talk about the difference between natural pearls and cultured pearls.

Natural pearls are formed without the interference of human beings and are formed naturally around an irritant such as a piece of coral, seashell or grain of sand within an oyster.

Cultured pearls are made the same way that natural pearls are except the irritant is introduced by man. For instance, someone will put a grain of sand into an oyster in a controlled environment to create a pearl.

Because natural pearls are much rarer than cultured pearls, they are also more expensive.

Freshwater Pearls

Freshwater pearls are grown in mussels. In general, each oyster can produce twenty or more pearls, taking one and a half to two years to harvest the pearls.

Japanese cultured pearls

These pearls are generally associated with the Japanese Pearl Industry. They are smaller than south sea pearls and come in a range of colours including rose, cream, white and gold.

Keshi Pearls

The keshi pearl is actually a byproduct of the whole pearl harvesting process. What can happen during harvesting is debris enters the oyster. The oyster then covers it in nacre and a keshi pearl is created.

Saltwater Cultured Pearls

Saltwater cultured pearls are grown in oysters in saltwater. It takes approximately two and a half years to produce a good harvest of these pearls and each oyster can only produce one pearl. Because of the length of time it takes to grow, and the fact that an oyster can only produce one, saltwater cultured pearls are more expensive than freshwater pearls.

Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Burma, Australia and Tahiti are all known for producing saltwater cultured pearls. The well known and much loved black pearls come from Tahiti.

Mabe Pearls

Mabe pearls derive from when a human attaches a plastic dome to the inside shell of an oyster. The oyster then covers the dome in nacre. During the harvesting of the pearls the mabe is cut off from the shell and the inside is filled with plastic or another substance to give it weight. Maybe pearls especially make great rings because of their large dome shape.

Mother of pearl

Mother of pearl refers to the appearance of the inside of an oyster shell, it is not technically a pearl.

All shells that have this shiny coating on the inside have the ability to create a pearl.

Pearls make beautiful jewellery. I hope you've enjoyed learning about some of the fascinating types of pearls and finding out just how they are made.

The Different Types of Pearls

By: Deepak Khurana

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