Pearls very cultured
Pearls are organic gems, created when an oyster covers a foreign object with
beautiful layers of nacre. Long ago, pearls were important financial assets,
comparable in price to real estate, as thousands of oysters had to be searched
for just one pearl. They were rare because they were created only by chance.
Today pearls are cultured by Man. Shell beads are placed inside an oyster and
the oyster is returned to the water. When the pearls are later harvested, the
oyster has covered the bead with layers of nacre. Most cultured pearls are
produced in Japan. In the warmer waters of the South Pacific, larger oysters
produce South Sea cultured pearls and Tahitian black cultured pearls, which are
larger in size. Freshwater pearls are cultured in mussels, mostly in China.
The quality of pearls is judged by the orient, which is the soft iridescence
caused by the refraction of light by the layers of nacre, and luster, the
reflectivity and shine of the surface. Fine pearls do not have any flaws or
spots in the nacre: it has an even, smooth texture. Other factors which affect
value are the regularity of the shape, size, and colour: rose tints are the most
favored.
Cultured and natural pearls can be distinguished from imitation ones by a very
simple test. Take the pearl and rub it (gently!) against the edge of a tooth.
Cultured and natural pearls will feel slightly rough, like fine sandpaper,
because of the texture of natural nacre. Imitations will feel as smooth as glass
because the surface is molded or painted on a smooth bead.
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