Cultured Pearls

Pearl buying can be a mystifying process; the list of terms used to describe pearls is long and confusing. One of the most often confused terms associated with pearl jewelry is ‘cultured pearls’.

Buyers frequently assume that cultured pearls are not real; nothing could be farther from the truth. Cultured pearls are very real. They are made by the same pearl-bearing mollusks (usually oysters) as natural pearls. They have the same physical composition and are made by the oyster or mollusk in the same way, with only one trivial exception. The only difference between cultured and natural pearls is the origin of the irritant within the oyster that starts the formation of the pearl.

Pearls form when an irritant – a grain of sand, a small piece of foreign matter – becomes imbedded inside the oyster. The oyster then begins to secrete nacre to cover the irritant and smooth it out so that it is less irritating to the oyster. Nacre is the same material that lines the shell of oysters. It, too, is used in jewelry making and is commonly called mother-of-pearl.

Cultured Pearl History

The process for growing cultured pearls was developed in Japan in the early 1900’s. By 1916, there were two separate patents for growing cultured pearls. One very ambitious and motivated cultured pearl pioneer, Kikichi Mikimoto, owned one patent and soon bought the other. He became known as the leading producer of cultured pearls. It was Mikimoto’s drive and determination that increased radically the availability of real pearls and made real pearls affordable to the masses. It is this bit of cultured pearl history that has made pearl farming a viable business and market force to be reckoned with; today, pearl farming of cultured pearls is a driving factor for economies of nations like Tahiti.

Buying Cultured Pearls

Real pearls occur in nature very infrequently. Without the advent of cultured pearl farming, scarce few people could afford a real piece of pearl jewelry. Even the very well off would have trouble finding natural pearl jewelry worth owning, as the quality of naturally occurring pearls is widely variable. Few harvested natural pearls are of gem quality worthy of jewelry-making.

The majority – the very large majority – of pearls on the jewelry market today are cultured pearls. These are still highly prize-worthy pieces, because the quality of cultured pearls produced is still variable (although better than most natural pearls). For those in the market for real pearls, cultured pearl jewelry is usually the best option. The most popular styles of cultured pearl jewelry are:

• cultured pearl necklaces (a cultured pearl necklace is traditionally given as an heirloom piece for major life milestones such as graduations and marriages)
• cultured pearl bracelets
• cultured pearl rings
• cultured pearl earrings

Before choosing a piece of cultured pearl jewelry, there are a few things to consider. Primarily, the consideration is size. Pearl size (of the actual gem) is measured in millimeters, abbreviated ‘mm’. Most good pearl jewelry ranges in size from 8mm to 14mm; the larger the mm, the more valuable the piece. For someone looking for a very nice, good quality pearl gift, 10mm cultured pearl earrings would be an excellent choice.

When buying pearl rings, there is a second size consideration to account for – ring size. It is best if the size of the ring can be determined prior to purchase and sizing can be avoided. The average woman’s finger falls within a range between a size 5 finger and a size 10. Smaller and larger sizes are also available, but obviously one would not want to buy a cultured pearl ring size 9 for a woman who wears a size 5. The difference is quite significant, and more than just a little adjustment would be needed.

Color is something else to consider when buying cultured pearl jewelry. Real cultured pearls are also available in an array of unique colors. In place of the traditional white pearl, one might consider buying a black cultured pearl necklace or a deep green cultured pearl necklace for a piece that makes a truly dramatic statement.

Freshwater pearls, both naturally occurring and cultured, are a very affordable pearl choice. A reputable name in freshwater cultured pearls is Honora cultured freshwater pearls; Honora is known for excellent quality and affordability, and is a company very familiar with shop-at-home and online buying.

For the recipient of the cultured pearl gift, a little education in regards to the care of cultured pearls will be needed. The care of cultured pearls is essentially the same as for natural pearls, and is not overly difficult. The best thing to do for pearls is to keep them as clean as possible so they can shine. Hairsprays and makeup should always be applied before putting on a set of pearls. Pearl jewelry should be wiped with a soft cloth when it is removed to clear away makeup and body oils.

With proper care, cultured pearl jewelry will last a lifetime or more. Cultured pearls – the only truly available real pearls – are jewels of heirloom quality. Cultured pearl jewelry is a treasure worth having and sharing, a keepsake to be passed down through the generations.