subject: The Birth of Peals and Pearl Jewelry [print this page] When the oysters reach maturity they are moved into a special area for the final stage of the process in which they will cling to rocks placed by the farmers, and settle. This is when they are ready to be "harvested". Perfect pearls are very rare to find as they take a very long time of 5 years to form. Thus they require great attention and are treated as valuables.
