How do pearls actually form???

Pearls. A beautiful natural product for making jewelry. But how do pearls actually form?

Pearls emerge

Pearls that originate in nature form in a crustacean, usually an oyster, but it can also be a mussel or sometimes a snail. A kind of "invader" enters this crustacean. It could be anything. This 'intruder' irritates the shellfish and that is why the shellfish will start to secrete mother-of-pearl. With this, the shellfish encapsulates the intruder. This goes layer by layer. When the intruder is completely encapsulated, the pearl is finished and the shellfish is no longer 'bothered' by the intruder. Natural pearls are very precious and 'priceless'. That is why you will mainly find cultured freshwater pearls at Jewels with Flair.

Shapes of pearls

There are many shapes of pearls. The rounder the pearl, the more expensive. There are also pearls with a flat back. These pearls have grown against the shell of the clam and must be cut off the shell. That's why those pearls have a flat back. Furthermore, there are countless pearls in different shapes. Also called baroque pearls. These pearls have a fairly whimsical shape.

Cultured pearls

Most pearls are cultured. That is also necessary when you consider that it is estimated that only 1 in 15,000 wild oysters contains a pearl. With cultured pearls, nature is 're-enacted' a bit. With each oyster, a round particle of mother-of-pearl is placed in the oyster. The oyster naturally encapsulates this.

Pearls dusty? Not really!

When one thinks of pearls, one often thinks; 'That's from the past. That has been'. But I really don't agree with that at all. Pearls can be super trendy. For example, if it is combined with Swarovski elements or a tough gemstone . And of course it can also be super chic with one classic pearl , but that also really doesn't have to be 'dusty'. For example, combine with a beautiful spring outfit. Combine with light colors. Freshwater pearls are perfect for spring and certainly also for summer.

pearl earrings jewelry

Freshwater pearls versus Swarovski pearls

In the shop you will find cultured freshwater pearls and Swarovski pearls . A Swarovski pearl is of course counterfeited by Swarovski. Still, I really like these pearls. And one advantage; you always have 2 super nice cool round pearls. Definitely useful if I'm going to make earrings with it :).

March 02, 2020 — Erlinde Kramer

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