Guide Note

Pearls are hard, round translucent objects formed inside the shells of mollusks. They are considered high value gemstones and are used in jewelry as well as some articles of clothing.

Fast Facts

1. Kokichi Mikimoto launched the cultured-pearl industry
2. Desirable pearls are produced from marine pearl oysters and freshwater unionida mussels
3. Birthstone for June
4. The three main types of saltwater pearls are Akoya, South Sea, and Tahitian
5. The largest pearl was found in the Phillipines in 1934 and weighed 14 pounds
6. Ancient Romans and Egyptians favored pearls above all other precious stones and gems

Pearls are either formed naturally or cultured, which is the process of implanting a small shell fragment into the insides of a living mollusk, typically an oyster. Natural pearls are of greater value, but with any pearl, value is determined by the color, size, symmetry and luster. Jewelers tend to rank luster as the most important factor, but when all factors are equal, the larger the size, the larger the cost.

Pearls come in eight basic shapes: round, semi-round, button, drop, pear, oval, baroque, and circled. A perfectly round large pearl is generally the rarest and most valuable.