Pearls are organic gemstones produced within the soft tissues of living shelled mollusks. From their inception as an immobile bead, layers form over time until eventually the final shape emerges as a complete pearl. Natural pearl formation begins when an irritant enters a mollusk, such as small pieces of sand or coral. The mollusk’s secretions of nacre and conchiolin swiftly encase and cover the irritant with layers of protective substances like nacre, ultimately influencing the original pearl price.
Nacre
Nacre, commonly referred to as “Mother of Pearl“, is an organic-inorganic compound responsible for pearl’s signature iridescence. Not only is nacre extremely durable and strong; but its multiple layers also reflect light beautifully to produce this effect.
Pearl’s iridescence can provide insight into its creator’s environment; scientists use pearls as mineral “time capsules” to monitor changes in our world and surroundings.
Seven Seas Pearls has created its Nacre Rating System to classify pearls based on their thickness of nacre layers, giving our pearls greater luster and luminescence. We categorize our pearls according to Very Thick, Top, Medium and Thin categories; this quality of the nacre layers determines pearl value significantly. Composed of microscopic aragonite platelets joined together by conchiolin glue in layers upon layers that look roughly hexagonal under a microscope, this gives it’s surface a scaley look reminiscent of scaley skin!
Irritation
Pearl formation starts when an irritant enters between a mollusk’s mantle and shell – this could be anything from a grain of sand to parasites – causing irritation, prompting its defense mechanisms to respond by covering it with layers of nacreous deposits.
However, the Gemological Institute of America has determined that most natural pearls do not display evidence of irritation. Gemologists also know that color and appearance are heavily determined by size of host shell.
Artificial pearl formation can be difficult, which explains why most pearls we see today on the market have been cultured. Cultured pearls differ from natural pearls in that their creation requires human intervention – thus the term cultured pearls is used. Though pearls do occur naturally occasionally and could potentially form naturally, such instances would likely be rare and more likely expensive!
Read more – What Are Keshi Pearls & Their Benefits?
Mantle Cells
As demonstrated by the above diagram, pearl formation usually starts when an irritant becomes lodged between a mollusk’s mantle and shell, prompting cells from its mantle to move to surround and encase it – later transformed into epithelial cells which eventually form layers of nacre that provide natural pearls their luster.
Cultured pearls use the same process. One common approach (called the Mise-Nishikawa technique) involves implanting a nucleus bead made of a freshwater mussel shell with small pieces of mantle tissue from another oyster into the reproductive organ of a saltwater oyster gonad.
Pearl Sac
Epithelial cells start dividing and trying to encase any foreign particles that enter. A pearl sac forms, with layers of nacre and conchiolin being secreted. Over time this layer will build up enough to cover the irritant, eventually becoming large enough for a natural pearl to form. This process occurs wherever an irritation exists in a body system and becomes trapped therein.
Studies have been undertaken to better understand how pearls form naturally. One such study revealed that genes associated with nacre and prismatic layer formation differed across mantle edge, pallium, and pearl sac of Pinctada fucata; those producing calcified pearls demonstrated increased microtubule and cilia function genes being expressed, while non-calcified pearl sacs down-regulated them.
FAQ
Question1- What is the origin of Pearl gemstones?
Answer – Pearl gemstones are formed inside the soft tissue of certain mollusks, such as oysters or mussels, as a defense mechanism against irritants like sand or parasites.
Question2- What are the different types of Pearls?
Answer- There are several types of Pearls, including Natural Pearls, Cultured Pearls, Freshwater Pearls, Akoya Pearls, Tahitian Pearls, and South Sea Pearls. Each type has unique characteristics and value.
Question3- What are the symbolic meanings associated with Pearls?
Answer- Pearls have long been associated with purity, innocence, and femininity. They are often considered a symbol of wisdom, wealth, and good fortune. In some cultures, Pearls are believed to bring emotional balance and calmness to the wearer. This is the reason pearls are one of the most suited gemstones. They are very white and give you the reason to wear them.