June Birthstone - Pearls

Pearls are a timeless jewellery classic whether a single, double of triple row or an understated single pearl drop pendant. they are unique, beautiful and elegant.

Created naturally by a living mollusc, Pearls are grown by inserting a bead into an Oyster which acts as an irritant(in a natural pearl this would be a grain of sand of similar)To isolate the irritant the mollusc coats bead in nacre thus creating a Pearl. It is worth noting at this point that it takes approximately 3 years to produce 1mm of nacre.

There are many different types of pearl. Two key differences are in the environment in which they are cultured, either freshwater mollusc's or saltwater (Akoya ) Oyster. The Akoya tend to produce a finer quality of pearl, more lustrous and more spherical than the fresh water.

Pearls can vary in price hugely, the price you pay for pearls will depend on several factors whether freshwater of Akoya the size and shape of a pearl the surface quality and lustre of the pearl the thickness of nacre and colour of the Pearl. Colour in pearls when natural, come from the nutrients in the water more commonly since the 1930 cultivators use dye to influence colour.

Pearls and seed pearls are commonly used in Edwardian and Antique Jewellery.