1.What is a pearl?
A pearl is a hard object produced within the soft tissue (mantle) of a living shelled mollusc.The word Pearl is derived from the Latin word "pirum" which means "pear" which reflects the shape of the gem. A smooth lustrous round structure having a brilliant luster, with varying tints, found inside the shell of a mollusk such as an oyster, clam or mussel.
2.How does a pearl form?
A pearl is formed when a grain of sand or floating food present in the water slips into the oyster between the mantle and the shell, which irritates the mantle.The oysters natural reaction is to cover up that irritant or protect itself.The mantle covers the irritant with layers and layers of the same nacre substance that is used to create the shell.This eventually forms into a pearl.
3.How do pearls naturally get their color?
A.Pearls get their color according to what species of oyster they come from.For example, the regular natural pearl comes from a regular oyster, but the black pearl or sometimes even grey comes from the black lipped oyster also known as Pincatada margaritafera.There are many different types of oysters which produce a variety of pearls.Some pearls such as the cultured pearls are not that good of a quality because they are not naturally made.
4.How much are pearls worth?
A.The value of a pearl is determined by several factors:type, size, shape, luster, color, and surface. A pearl’s origin or type will help determine its rarity. In general, natural pearls are worth much more than cultured pearls, and cultured seawater pearls are worth more than cultured freshwater pearls. Size will also add to a pearl’s value. The size of a natural pearl is determined by weight and measured in grains and carats, while a cultured pearl’s size is measured in millimeters. It can be determined if a pearl is natural or cultured by use of gemological X-ray equipment to view the center of the pearl, or by placing the pearl under a microscope. Shape only adds value if the pearl is perfectly symmetrical and round, especially when regarding a strand of pearls.
There are three grades of luster given to a pearl based on the thickness of the nacre: dull, fine, and exceptional. Color will decrease value if the pearl is dyed. A natural pink, white, or black pearl will hold the most value. Surface is graded anywhere from exceptional with no flaws, to marked with obvious flaws. Any dents or scratches will decrease the value of the pearl. Depending on the quality and piece of jewelry, cultured freshwater pearls can be priced up to $1,500, akoya pearls are priced up to $3,000, Tahitian pearls are priced up to $10,000, and South Sea pearls are priced up to $30,000.
5.What are pearls used for?
Pearls are among the most popular gemstones and have been used since antiquity. All colors and types of Pearl are used as gemstones, and they are especially popular as necklaces. Pearls are also extensively used as bracelets, and can also be the center stone in rings, earrings, and pendants. Pendants are often made of non-rounded Pearls such a baroque-shaped Pearls. Pearl is the birthstone of June.
6.What is nacre?
A.Nacre is the iridescent material that the mollusk forms in very thin layers that creates the pearl. Nacre is composed of hexagonal platelets and elastic biopolymers, which makes the material strong and resilient. The mollusk continues to deposit layers of nacre, which protects the soft tissues of the mollusk and traps parasites inside the layers. This process continues as long as the mollusk lives.
FACTS ABOUT THE PEARL:
-The pearl is the only gemstone made by living organisms.
-Harvesting pearls from mollusks does not kill the animals, as they can be re-implanted and used to make more pearls.
-Akoya, or saltwater pearls come from oysters, but freshwater pearls usually come from mussels, although all mollusks can make pearls.
- Pearls take their color from the inside of the shell in which they are growing. They range from white to gold, and from purple to black.
-MYTH: Cleopatra won a bet that she could provide Marc Antony with a banquet costing more than the assets of a country. She took off a pearl earring, dissolved it in wine and drank it.
-Farming pearls are know as "Periculture."
7.Where are pearls mainly found?
FRENCH POLYNESIA consists of five large groups of islans.Pearl culturing is concentrated in the lagoons of the Tuamoto Archipelago and the Gambier Islands Courtesy Robert Wan.
By volume, CHINA produces most of the worlds cultured pearls--more than 1,500 tons annually--some 2 billion freshwater cultured pearls.
JAPAN is the historical center of Akoya pearl culturing. Today Japenese pearl exporters handle cultured pearls of different types from all over the globe.
The modern cultured pearls in the PHILIPPNES dates from the 1970s. Farmers cultivate both silver and gold-lipped oysters for their pearls.-Jewelmer.
AUSTRALIA'S pearl producing areas strech around its northern coasts. Activity is centered on the towns of Darwin and Broome.-Courtesy Paspaley.
8. When was the first pearl found?
Th first pearl was found in the 5th century B.C.
9. What is a mollusk
An invertebrate of a large phylum that includes snails, slugs, mussels, and octopuses. They have a soft, unsegmented body and live in aquatic or damp habitats, and most kinds have an external calcareous shell.
A pearl is a hard object produced within the soft tissue (mantle) of a living shelled mollusc.The word Pearl is derived from the Latin word "pirum" which means "pear" which reflects the shape of the gem. A smooth lustrous round structure having a brilliant luster, with varying tints, found inside the shell of a mollusk such as an oyster, clam or mussel.
2.How does a pearl form?
A pearl is formed when a grain of sand or floating food present in the water slips into the oyster between the mantle and the shell, which irritates the mantle.The oysters natural reaction is to cover up that irritant or protect itself.The mantle covers the irritant with layers and layers of the same nacre substance that is used to create the shell.This eventually forms into a pearl.
3.How do pearls naturally get their color?
A.Pearls get their color according to what species of oyster they come from.For example, the regular natural pearl comes from a regular oyster, but the black pearl or sometimes even grey comes from the black lipped oyster also known as Pincatada margaritafera.There are many different types of oysters which produce a variety of pearls.Some pearls such as the cultured pearls are not that good of a quality because they are not naturally made.
4.How much are pearls worth?
A.The value of a pearl is determined by several factors:type, size, shape, luster, color, and surface. A pearl’s origin or type will help determine its rarity. In general, natural pearls are worth much more than cultured pearls, and cultured seawater pearls are worth more than cultured freshwater pearls. Size will also add to a pearl’s value. The size of a natural pearl is determined by weight and measured in grains and carats, while a cultured pearl’s size is measured in millimeters. It can be determined if a pearl is natural or cultured by use of gemological X-ray equipment to view the center of the pearl, or by placing the pearl under a microscope. Shape only adds value if the pearl is perfectly symmetrical and round, especially when regarding a strand of pearls.
There are three grades of luster given to a pearl based on the thickness of the nacre: dull, fine, and exceptional. Color will decrease value if the pearl is dyed. A natural pink, white, or black pearl will hold the most value. Surface is graded anywhere from exceptional with no flaws, to marked with obvious flaws. Any dents or scratches will decrease the value of the pearl. Depending on the quality and piece of jewelry, cultured freshwater pearls can be priced up to $1,500, akoya pearls are priced up to $3,000, Tahitian pearls are priced up to $10,000, and South Sea pearls are priced up to $30,000.
5.What are pearls used for?
Pearls are among the most popular gemstones and have been used since antiquity. All colors and types of Pearl are used as gemstones, and they are especially popular as necklaces. Pearls are also extensively used as bracelets, and can also be the center stone in rings, earrings, and pendants. Pendants are often made of non-rounded Pearls such a baroque-shaped Pearls. Pearl is the birthstone of June.
6.What is nacre?
A.Nacre is the iridescent material that the mollusk forms in very thin layers that creates the pearl. Nacre is composed of hexagonal platelets and elastic biopolymers, which makes the material strong and resilient. The mollusk continues to deposit layers of nacre, which protects the soft tissues of the mollusk and traps parasites inside the layers. This process continues as long as the mollusk lives.
FACTS ABOUT THE PEARL:
-The pearl is the only gemstone made by living organisms.
-Harvesting pearls from mollusks does not kill the animals, as they can be re-implanted and used to make more pearls.
-Akoya, or saltwater pearls come from oysters, but freshwater pearls usually come from mussels, although all mollusks can make pearls.
- Pearls take their color from the inside of the shell in which they are growing. They range from white to gold, and from purple to black.
-MYTH: Cleopatra won a bet that she could provide Marc Antony with a banquet costing more than the assets of a country. She took off a pearl earring, dissolved it in wine and drank it.
-Farming pearls are know as "Periculture."
7.Where are pearls mainly found?
FRENCH POLYNESIA consists of five large groups of islans.Pearl culturing is concentrated in the lagoons of the Tuamoto Archipelago and the Gambier Islands Courtesy Robert Wan.
By volume, CHINA produces most of the worlds cultured pearls--more than 1,500 tons annually--some 2 billion freshwater cultured pearls.
JAPAN is the historical center of Akoya pearl culturing. Today Japenese pearl exporters handle cultured pearls of different types from all over the globe.
The modern cultured pearls in the PHILIPPNES dates from the 1970s. Farmers cultivate both silver and gold-lipped oysters for their pearls.-Jewelmer.
AUSTRALIA'S pearl producing areas strech around its northern coasts. Activity is centered on the towns of Darwin and Broome.-Courtesy Paspaley.
8. When was the first pearl found?
Th first pearl was found in the 5th century B.C.
9. What is a mollusk
An invertebrate of a large phylum that includes snails, slugs, mussels, and octopuses. They have a soft, unsegmented body and live in aquatic or damp habitats, and most kinds have an external calcareous shell.