Types of Pearls & Mother of Pearl: Everything You Should Know

Pearl has a round and warm, crystal clear luster, both elegant and gentle, peaceful and quiet atmosphere, the most can highlight the beautiful and elegant side of women. Whether it is a luxurious pearl necklace or a design pearl ring that combines popular elements, it is an essential piece of jewelry in the jewelry box. Now the market is full of pearls, how many types of pearls and what’s the mother of pearls? Come with Juyoyo to explore more about different types of pearls and the mother-of-pearl. Let’s dive in!

• How Do Pearls Form?
• What is Mother of Pearl?
• Mother of Pearl Vs. Pearl
• Types of Pearls
• Natural Vs. Cultured Pearls
• Freshwater Vs. Saltwater Pearls
• Popular Types of Pearls
• FAQs about Types of Pearls & Mother of Pearl

How Do Pearls Form?

The name pearl comes from the Latin word pernulo. Its other name is margarite, derived from the ancient Persian Sanskrit word meaning "son of the sea". Pearls are formed inside oysters and other mollusks as a defense mechanism against irritants or foreign objects that enter their shells. When a foreign object, such as a grain of sand or a parasite, enters the mollusk's shell, the mollusk secretes layers of nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, around the irritant to protect itself.

What is Mother of Pearl?

Mother-of-pearl, also known as nacre, is the iridescent organic substance that forms the inner layer of the shells of mollusks such as oysters, abalone, and mussels. It is made up of calcium carbonate and conchiolin, a protein that gives it its unique luster and strength.

Like pearls, mother-of-pearl is formed by the mollusk as a defense mechanism. The mantle tissue secretes layers of mother-of-pearl to cover the irritant and prevent damage to the mollusk when an irritant or foreign object enters the mollusk's shell.

Valued for its beauty and durability, mother-of-pearl has been used for centuries to make jewelry, decorative objects, and inlays for furniture and musical instruments. It is known for its iridescent colors, which can range from white and pink to blue, green, and black, depending on the type of mollusk and the conditions under which it is formed.

Mother of Pearl Vs. Pearl

Mother-of-pearl and pearls are both formed by mollusks and have similar compositions, but they have distinct differences.

Formation

Mother of pearl: the iridescent inner layer of the mollusk's shell. It is formed as a protective layer covering the inner surface of the mollusk.

Pearls: are formed when a foreign object, such as a grain of sand or a parasite, enters the shell of a mollusk and the mollusk secretes layers of mother-of-pearl around the irritant to form a pearl.

Composition

Mother-of-pearl: made up only of mother-of-pearl and conciliation, without the presence of any foreign body.

Pearls: made up of layers of nacre, the same substance that forms the mother-of-pearl, but with the addition of the irritant in the center.  

Appearance

Mother-of-pearl: A flat, smooth surface with a shimmering, iridescent appearance.

Pearls: Usually round or oval, with a smooth and lustrous surface.

Value

Mother of pearl: Generally less valuable than nacre because it's abundant and easier to harvest.

Pearls: Often more valuable, especially if they are large, round, and have a high degree of luster.

Types of Pearls

Pearl has a long history. People's observation and study of pearl is also very deep, and the classification of pearl varieties is more detailed. There are several types of pearls. Each type has its characteristics and origin.

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Natural Pearls: are formed without any human intervention and are created when an irritant enters the shell of a mollusk. A natural pearl takes a long time to form and is difficult to find. Because of their rarity, natural pearls are highly prized and valuable.

Cultured pearls: are formed with human intervention and are created by intentionally inserting a small bead or piece of tissue into a mollusk to act as an irritant to form a pearl.

Freshwater Pearl: is cultured in freshwater lakes and rivers. It is known for its soft, satin-like luster, which gives it a subtle glow.

Saltwater Pearl: farmed in saltwater environments such as oceans, seas, and bays. It is known for its larger size, greater luster, and smoother surface.

When sorted by pearl color, pearls can be white, cream, blue, pink, black, and so on, among which blue pearls are particularly prized.

Natural Vs. Cultured Pearls

Formation

A natural pearl is created without human intervention. Irritation from a grain of sand or a parasite causes the mollusk to shed layers of nacre to form a pearl. A cultured pearl is created with human intervention by inserting a small piece of shell or tissue into the mollusk to stimulate the nacre to produce and form a pearl.

Rarity and value

Natural pearls are rare and valuable because they occur spontaneously in nature and are not mass-produced. Their unique shapes, colors, and luster make them highly desirable. Cultured pearls are more readily available and can be mass-produced. Natural pearls are therefore rarer and more valuable.

Size and shape

Depending on the type of mollusk and the conditions under which they are formed, natural pearls come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Cultured pearls can be grown in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and quality of pearls through the cultivation process. This results in more uniform and consistent pearls.

Freshwater Vs. Saltwater Pearls

Both freshwater and seawater pearls are cultured pearls, but there are several key differences between them:

Freshwater Pearls

Origin: Cultured in freshwater lakes and rivers, mainly in China but also in other countries such as USA and Japan.

Nucleus: Freshwater pearls are usually nucleusless, resulting in solid nacre pearls.

Size: Freshwater pearls range from small seed pearls (1-2mm) to larger pearls (10mm or more), which are typically smaller than saltwater pearls.

Luster: Freshwater pearls have a soft, satin lustre giving them subtle lustre.

Value: Due to the large quantity of a single shell, freshwater pearls are generally less expensive than saltwater pearls.

Saltwater Pearls

Origin: Cultured in saltwater environments such as oceans, seas, and bays. Types of saltwater pearls include Akoya pearls, South Sea pearls, and Tahitian pearls.

Core: A saltwater pearl is formed with a pearl core, which is inserted into the oyster along with a piece of mantle tissue.

Size: Saltwater pearls can range from small (2mm) to large (15mm or more), especially South Sea pearls.

Luster: The saltwater pearl has a high degree of luster and brilliance, giving it a bright, reflective shine.

Value: Due to their rarity and time-consuming cultivation process, saltwater pearls are generally more valuable than freshwater pearls.

Popular Types of Pearls

Akoya Pearls

Akoya pearls are cultured in a saltwater environment, specifically in the Akoya oyster, which is typically farmed in the coastal waters of Japan and China. They are highly prized for their high luster, their classic white color (they can also be found in shades of cream, silver, and pink), and their elegant appearance.

South Sea Pearls

South Sea pearls are among the largest and most valuable saltwater pearls, cultivated in the warm waters of the South Pacific, Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. They are known for their impressive size, luster, and unique colors. Golden South Sea pearls are particularly sought for their rich, warm hues.

Tahitian Pearls

Tahitian pearls, also known as exotic black pearls, are a type of saltwater pearl cultivated primarily in French Polynesia, specifically in the waters around the islands of Tahiti. They are known for their high luster, which gives them a reflective and iridescent quality. Because of their unique colors, large sizes, and high quality, Tahitian pearls are considered some of the most valuable pearls in the world.

FAQs about Types of Pearls & Mother of Pearl

Is mother-of-pearl a real pearl?

No. Mother-of-pearl, also known as nacre, is not a real pearl, but it has a similar composition to a pearl.

How to Buy Pearls?

Buying pearls can be an enjoyable experience, but it's important to know what to look for to ensure you get quality pearls. You should consider the type of pearls, luster, shape, color, size, certification, budget, and reputation jeweler.

How to Care for Your Pearls?

Wear them often; clean them gently; store them properly; avoid extreme conditions and chemicals; restring them regularly.

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