CANVASES, CARATS AND CURIOSITIES

Pearls are among the world's most iconic and desirable gems, symbolizing elegance, sophistication and wealth for thousands of years. With their wide variety of sizes, shapes and colors, selecting the perfect pearl can be daunting. Let this guide help you on your journey. 

How Pearls Are Formed

A pearl forms when an irritant enters an oyster, mussel, or clam. The mollusk secretes nacre, which coats the irritant in luminous layers, eventually forming the pearl. High-quality pearls can take up to three years to form.

Key Pearl Characteristics

• Color: Pearls range from white and gold to exotic hues like aubergine and peacock. Natural-colored pearls are more valuable than treated ones.
• Luster: High luster creates sharp reflections and enhances the pearl's beauty.
• Nacre: Thick nacre ensures durability and a smooth surface.
• Shape: Round pearls are the most valuable, while baroque and other shapes offer unique appeal.
• Size: Larger pearls are rarer and more valuable, with size norms varying by type.

Pearl Care

• Restringing: Over time, pearl strands weaken; have them restrung regularly.
• Surface Quality: Avoid exposing pearls to cosmetics and perfumes, which can dull their shine.
• Matching: Perfectly matched pearls in size, color and luster are exceedingly rare, making matching sets especially desirable.

Types of Pearls

Akoya Pearls

• Location: Japan
• Characteristics: Classic round shape, smooth luster.
• Colors: White or gray, with pink or silver overtones.
• Why Buy: The epitome of elegance, ideal for traditional pearl strands or earrings.

Baroque Pearls

• Location: Found in both freshwater and saltwater sources worldwide, including China, French Polynesia and Australia.
• Characteristics: Unique, non-symmetrical shapes ranging from slightly irregular to highly abstract, often with exceptional luster and surface texture.
• Colors: Wide variety, including white, cream, gold, gray, black and iridescent multicolor.
• Why Buy: Baroque pearls offer a one-of-a-kind appeal, making them ideal for statement jewelry. Their irregularity adds character and charm, often at a more accessible price than perfectly round pearls.

Freshwater Pearls

• Location: Freshwater lakes, primarily in China and the U.S.
• Characteristics: Wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes (3-10mm).
• Why Buy: Affordable and versatile, they offer an accessible entry point into pearl jewelry.

Keshi Pearls

• Location: Japan, French Polynesia, Australia
• Characteristics: Freeform and irregular in shape, with exceptionally high luster due to solid nacre composition.
• Colors: Wide variety, depending on the mollusk species.
• Why Buy: Unique, all-nacre pearls with a striking, natural beauty that appeals to collectors.

Mabé Pearls

• Location: Japan, Indonesia, Australia
• Characteristics: Dome-shaped pearls cultivated on the inner shell of a mollusk.
• Colors: White, silver, pink, or gold hues.
• Why Buy: Ideal for unique jewelry designs such as earrings, rings, or pendants due to their flat-backed shape.

South Sea Pearls

• Location: Philippines, Indonesia, Australia
• Characteristics: Large (8-20mm), thick nacre, exceptional luster.
• Colors: White, gold (sometimes silver overtones).
• Why Buy: Known as the finest pearls, their size, luster and durability make them highly sought-after.

Tahitian Pearls

• Location: French Polynesia
• Characteristics: Naturally dark hues, unique colored overtones like “peacock.”
• Colors: Black, gray, white, with pink, green or purple overtones.
• Why Buy: Exotic and rare, their dark tones and overtones offer a striking alternative to traditional white pearls.

Yangtze Fireball Pearls

• Location: Freshwater sources, particularly the Yangtze River basin in China.
• Characteristics: Large, irregular "fireball" shapes with a unique metallic luster and vibrant surface textures.
• Colors: Natural white, pink, lavender or iridescent multicolor tones.
• Why Buy: Bold and distinctive, Yangtze Fireball Pearls are perfect for statement jewelry pieces, offering a dramatic yet natural aesthetic.