Pearls | All You Need To Know
Pearls have been used in jewellery for centuries, and it's so easy to see why. Their beauty and lustre is purely captivating making them a perfect companion to Gold or Silver jewellery. Here at Auree, we have put together everything you need to know about pearls so you can be a little bit more clued up before deciding on the right Pearl Jewellery for you.
How are Pearls Formed?
Unlike other gemstones that are found in the Earth’s crust, pearls are naturally made within the shells of molluscs. When bacteria gets inside a molluscs’ shell, it produces a layer of fluid called nacre that coats the irritant as a defence. The mollusc continues to secrete layers of nacre around it to form a pearl. For pearls created naturally in the wild this process can take up to 5-10 years and produces pearls in many different shapes, sizes, and colours, dependant on what kind of water the mollusc is in. Luckily, we have found a way to speed this process up and create masses of Cultured Pearls in pearl farms.
What are the different types of Pearls?
Natural Wild Pearls occur spontaneously in the wild and are extremely rare and very expensive. The majority of Pearls used in jewellery are Cultured Pearls.
Cultured Pearls are made by manually inserting bacteria inside the mollusc purposely by pearl farmers to activate the naturally nacre process. These pearls can still technically be considered ‘natural’ as they’re made by molluscs but the process is enhanced to create thousands of different pearls in more controlled environments.
Both Natural or Cultured Pearls can either be Freshwater Pearls or Saltwater Pearls depending on the kind of water the mollusc was in while it was creating the pearl.
Imitation Pearls are widely sold in inexpensive jewellery. These are glass beads that are dipped into a fish scale solution that makes them lustrous and pearl-like.
At Auree we use Cultured Freshwater Pearls.
What colours do Pearls come in?
Pearls have an incredibly unique lustre that gives them an iridescent glow and sheen. Pearls typically come in white or cream colours. Depending on the water the mollusc is in, the pearl can range from the traditional white to a rosey-pink to a deep black-purple colour.
What do Pearls Symbolise?
Pearls are said to have strong connections to the tidal pull of the moon making them a powerful stone of divine feminine energy. Pearls have been celebrated for centuries by many different cultures and religions, like the Ancient Greeks who considered pearls to be the tears of Eve. Pearls are also said to represent purity, serenity and are valued for their calming effects, so a pearl necklace or pair of earrings make the perfect gift for anyone who needs extra wisdom and wonder in their life.
Pearls are one of the birthstones for the month of June.
Why choose Pearl Jewellery?
In the 1930s, Coco Chanel popularised pearls as everyday jewellery after saying “a woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls.” Over the years, pearls have come in and out of popularity but have always remained a constant. Pearl Earrings, Necklaces or Bracelets are a classic and timeless choice for any woman, and will always be a wise investment and an item you can pass on for generations.
Shop all Auree Pearl Jewellery here >
image credits: discoverwildlife.com