Everything about pearls and their origin

The origin of pearls is a play of the nature which takes place unknown-wise in many different mussel and snails kinds - even in mussel kinds which are home in Germany.

As a repulsion reaction of the mussel to the penetration of a foreign body or parasite, this mother-of-pearl belonging to mussel in a layer is isolated. After some years in which more and more mother-of-pearl layers have formed around the foreign body a considerable pearl has originated.

Forms and colours of pearls

Many of these pearls do not correspond to our images of a pearl. They often resemble a sandy grain, are yellowish to grey and without luster.
There are not many mussel kinds in which one can find noble, round pearls. Some oyster kinds like the "Pinctada" belong to it. There are different colour shadings of the pearls: from white about rosy and champagner up to black. Also size and shape can be varied: from around about oh / drop-shaped up to cleft forms (baroque).

The name

The names "pearl" or " real pearl " may lead only natural pearls. All the other pearls are cultured pearls. They originate basically in the same kind, in a similarly protracted process. Besides, is helped merely the chance a little bit and is used the oyster a foreign body. All pearls which you find in our shop have originated in such a way, these are freshwater cultured pearls.

Statistics

Possibly half of the mussels intended for the breeding are still available at the end for the crop. Only 4% of it are flawless pearls - more than 10% are of so bad quality that they are not suited for the sales.

Regulation of the quality of pearls

Pearls are natural products, therefore, everybody is unique. Nevertheless, with the help of the following criteria you can assess the quality of every kind of pearls:

The luster

The Iridescence of pearls is called ‚luster’ or ‘Orient’. Pearls show this glamorous play of colours in delicate nuances due to the bow in their surface, enabling us to perceive their brilliance from every angle. The interaction of light rays and surface creates the iridescence, the so called ‘surface colour’ visible as a small circle on the pearl’s outer layer of nacre. The luster depends on the thickness of nacre, numerous layers encasing the nucleus. The layers of nacre act like tiny prisms, refracting light, so it appears as all the colours of a rainbow.
The luster is most important to asses the value of pearls. Intense luster increases the value.

The surface

Qualitatively high-quality pearls have a very smooth and perfect surface. There are more things to recognize than only light growth signs, possibly depressions, scratches or spots, this diminishes the value drastically.
Since pearls are the product of a biological process, their surface often shows small imperfections. An immaculate surface is very hard to find. Microscopic dents and exaltations are normal. When choosing a necklace, for example, one has to consider amount, size and visibility of these irregularities. As a result, the quality is described from ‘immaculate’ down to ‘visible imperfections’.

The size

The size of a pearl is the only feature visible for every viewer. it is measured in millimetres. There are pearls measuring a few millimetres only while South Sea pearls can reach a size of 20 millimetres diameter. Generally speaking, a larger pearl is more precious than a smaller one, while all other criteria have to be similar.

The shape

The shape of cultured pearls is generally divided into round, symmetric and baroque.

Round shapes: almost and perfectly round
Symmetric shapes : Oval, button, drop
Baroque shapes: Semi baroque, baroque

To find a perfectly round pearl is extremely difficult. The closer the pearl’s shape is to a perfect round, the more valuable it is. In the end, preferences depend on the individual taste.

The colour

The colour is no high-class sign of pearls. There are pearls, in the meantime, in a whole row of colours which are not white of less quality as those with classical one. The available chromatic circle reaches from white about cream, apricot and pink up to black.
The colour decision depends exclusively on the personal taste. Indeed, white-pink pearls work best on bright skin.
To judge the colour of pearls, a basic tone, luminosity and colour depth is considered. Akoya pearls show a spectrum covering shades of white, cream or soft pink. South Sea pearls shimmer in white, silver, pink or gold. Tahitian pearls are famous for their dark shades. A light grey is found, as well as gold, black-green to black.

By the way: You can distinguish pearl imitations easily from real pearls. These are mostly completely round, have an unnaturally smooth surface, shine strongly and steadily.

The history

The history of pearls has always been linked to the history of mankind. Pearls have fascinated humans since more than 5000 years. The existence of pearls was documented 2200 B.C. for the first time. Enchantment and immaculate shape made them a cherished symbol of elegance for ancient and modern cultures. Roman emperors used pearls and fine garments to create matchless gems. Mother of pearl was one of the first and finest materials artists discovered for the creation of ornaments and jewellery.

The oldest formations of cultured pearls known to mankind were located in the Arab Gulf region, along the shores of Persia, Saudi-Arabia, Kuwait and the Red Sea. The most ancient pearl from the Persian Gulf dates back 4000 years. During the glorious times of the Romans, the emperors discovered a passionate love for pearls. Their desire for the precious gem was insatiable. This love reflects in the Latin language as well. The word ‘Margarita’ means pearl - and mistress. Elisabeth I, Queen of England, topped everyone’s adoration for pearls. She used to wear heavy strands of pearls constantly. She was the vain owner of splendiferous gowns embroidered with a treasure of 3000 pearls. The symbols of purity and perfection represented affluence and power since a very long time.

In clerical art, pearls were regarded as precious symbols for the love of god, adorning altars and a variety of clerical objects as well as priestly robes. Pearls, immaculate in their natural condition, do not need any further treatment, like other gems, to shine in unequalled beauty.