For millennia, people has been under the enchanting spell of pearls. This fascination traces back to 2206 BC when the earliest known written on natural pearls appeared in ancient China. They have always been more than just gems; they symbolize wealth, prestige, and timeless beauty. From royalty to the wealthy elite, they valued natural pearls and passed them down from generation to generation.
Throughout history, people were finding natural pearls in places like the Persian Gulf, Ceylon (Sri Lanka in our modern-day), China rivers and lakes, and even the rivers of Europe. However, the most significant chapter in the pearl's story unfolded during Christopher Columbus's voyages in the late 15th century when he encountered natives adorned with these beautiful wonders. The discovery of natural pearl sources in the New World, in areas like Venezuela and Panama now, increased the desire in Europe. Unfortunately, within a century, overfishing, pearl culturing, and emerging industries like plastic buttons and oil drilling had lessened these natural pearl sources.
From Nature's Gift to Elegance
Pearls have always been the mystery, power, and life-sustaining nature of water. Some pearls own spherical shape made people think of the moon, which has made them an object of fascination across cultures. In ancient China, they were believed to provide protection from fire and mythical dragons, while in Europe, pearls symbolized modesty, chastity, and purity.
Pearls come in a stunning array of colours, from the classic white and cream to black, grey, silver, and the entire visible spectrum. Overtones of pink, green, purple, or blue add depth to their beauty. The interplay of colours is what makes pearls unique, some have special lustre of pearls of the finest quality known as orient.
Natural vs. Cultured Pearls
Distinguishing between natural and cultured pearls is significant. Natural pearls form within mollusks' mantle tissue without any human interference. In contrast, cultured pearls require skilled intervention and care. Technicians delicately insert a shell bead and a small piece of mantle tissue which are the same species, into a host mollusk, guiding the process that results in cultured pearls.
Explore the Fascinating World of Pearl Types
Cultured pearls come in four significant types, each with its unique attributes:
Akoya Cultured Pearls: Known for their classic white or cream appearance, they are commonly used single-strand necklaces, with major farm and produce in Japan and China.
South Sea Cultured Pearls: Originating from Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, they offer a range of colours, including white, silver, and golden depending on the species of oyster. Their value is attributed to their large size and thick nacre, resulting from a long growth period and specific environmental requirements.
Tahitian Cultured Pearls: These pearls mainly farmed from the islands of French Polynesia, with unique colours including gray, black, brown, as well as blue, green, purple, or pink overtones.
Freshwater Cultured Pearls: China leads in culturing these popular pearls in fresh water lakes and ponds, which have multiple pearls are grown in a single oyster, making those pearls are easily affordable. These pearls come in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes.