About Pearls
“The One Living Gemstone – Pearls”
Born in nature, cultivated with human love, pearls have captivated people for centuries. This guide is all about pearls—how they are formed, their types, and how to identify genuine pearls.
Types of Pearls From Around the World
Learn about pearls and their types.
Akoya Pearl
Renowned for their brilliant luster and rich colors, Akoya pearls are the epitome of elegance and timeless beauty. Cultivated primarily in the Sea of Japan, Akoya pearls typically range from 2 to 10 mm in size, with the most common sizes being 6 to 8 mm.
Black Pearl
Cultivated from black-lipped oysters, Black Pearls are primarily found in French Polynesia and Okinawa. Their size ranges from 8 to 17 mm, with the most common sizes being 9 to 11 mm. Known for their mesmerizing dark hues, these pearls display a stunning array of iridescent tones, including soft gray, green, brown, and the coveted peacock shade.
South Sea Pearl
The world’s rarest pearls, South Sea pearls are known for their luminous inner glow. Cultivated in Australia, the Philippines, and Indonesia, they range in size from 8 to 20 mm, with an average of 12 mm. These pearls are treasured for their subtle hues of white, gold, and silver.
Mabe Pearl
Mabe, or “blister pearls,” are half-pearls that grow against the oyster’s inner shell. Cultivated in the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and the Pacific South Seas, these pearls range from 12 to 20 mm. Available in shades like silver gray, white, and rainbow tones with pink and bluish overtones, Mabe pearls can be shaped into rounds, ovals, hearts, and more.
Freshwater Pearl
Freshwater pearls are cultivated in lakes and rivers, notably in Japan (Lake Biwa and Kasumigaura) and China’s southeastern regions. Sizes range from 1–2 mm (seed pearls) to over 12 mm. These pearls are cherished for their soft luster and vibrant hues, including white, pink, orange, and pastel colors.
Keshi Pearl
Keshi pearls, meaning “poppy seed pearls,” are unique non-nucleated pearls formed naturally. With no nucleus to guide their shape, they exhibit diverse forms and come in an impressive array of colors. Known for their exceptionally high luster, Keshi pearls are small yet captivating.
No two real pearls are exactly alike.
A pearl’s translucent luster is formed by many layers of fine nacre.
This intrinsic brightness, translucence and subtle elegance are some of the qualities
that make naturally formed pearls so unique.
We wish to share our belief in the true significance and importance of pearls and their incorporation into beautiful designs, from Ise Shima to the world. Please feel free to contact us for any inquiry about pearls.
How to Determine the Value of a Pearls
Understanding how to determine the value of a pearl is crucial for anyone passionate about pearls. Here’s what you need to know about pearls and their valuation.
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Luster |
The intensity of light reflected in the pearlʼs surface. Luster is one of the most important characteristics of a pearlʼs quality. The better the nacre quality of the pearl, the more superior its luster. Any pearl that appears too white, dull or chalky, may be of low quality. |
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| Nacre | Nacre thickness is an important factor when measuring a pearlʼs quality. Nacre is the coating that the oyster forms around pearls and is composed of calcium carbonate crystals. The depth of the nacre significantly impacts a pearls’ appearance and is a useful means of determining value. |
| Size | The value of a pearl is also determined by its size, important because larger pearls are rare in nature. The larger the pearl, the more valuable it is. The majority of cultured pearls are under 10mm in diameter. South Sea pearls, in contrast, far rarer than the rest, are cultivated in warmer oceans and are among the largest pearls in the world. |
| Shape | The shape of a pearl plays a major role in determining its value. There are a number of different shapes: round, baroque, button, tear drop, oval and semi-round. Whether natural or cultured, spherical or round pearls are the most difficult shapes to cultivate and to find. |
| Colour | Pearls come in a variety of colours, from white to black and every shade in between. Body colour is the overall colour of the pearl. The most common body colours are white, cream, gold, silver and grey. Iridescent rainbow colours accentuate a pearls’ body colour. |
| Surface | As a product of nature, genuine pearls will always have some form of blemishes and tiny marks. A pearls’ surface condition affects its value. The cleaner the surface of the pearl, the more valuable it is. |
| Matching | Matching is an important factor when assessing two pearls side by side. Matching refers to the uniformity of appearance of the pearls in a piece of jewelry or strand. Creating an excellent strand of pearls requires skill, experience and extreme diligence. Each pearl must closely match in terms of luster, shape, size, colour, surface and nacre. |
How to Determine Genuine vs. Imitation Pearls
Knowing about pearls means understanding how to differentiate between genuine and imitation ones. Here’s how:
| Material | Imitation pearls are made up of glass, ceramic, shell or plastic. Genuine pearls are formed from multiple concentric layers of nacre. |
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| Surface | Genuine pearls have a slightly rough surface when rubbed against each other while imitation pearls have an almost perfectly smooth surface. |
| Colour | Real pearls have an intrinsic depth and luminosity to their colour. Imitation pearls have only one body colour. |
| Weight | Real pearls are comparatively heavier in weight while imitation pearls are lighter in density. |
| Hole | Chipped or cracking paint is a sign that your pearls may be imitation, look carefully at a drill hole and if any missing paint or rough edges are showing, it is most likely imitation. |
Essential Tips for Caring for Your Pearls
Proper care is crucial to preserving the beauty and longevity of your pearls. Whether you’re wearing a cherished necklace or keeping your pearls stored for future use, following a few simple guidelines can help maintain their lustrous shine. From cleaning techniques to storage tips, discover how to keep your pearls looking their best for years to come. Learn more about the essential steps in pearl care and ensure your precious pieces remain in top condition.