Pearls

Pearls are composed primarily of aragonite (a form of calcium carbonate) which is a mineral. Among the mollusks (a family of creatures that includes clams, mussels, octopuses and oysters), only the pearl oyster produces pearls of gem quality. Two species of pearl oyster carry on most of the work of pearl making. One species lives in salt water and the other lives in fresh-water Rivers and lakes.
There are two ways in which man can obtain pearls, he can dive for oysters and gather “natural pearls” or he can help nature and become involved in the oysters work, this method is called “cultured pearls”.

When an oyster forms a natural pearl, it means that a particle of sand or a tiny living creature has been drawn into the oyster´s shell while the oyster is gathering food. The oyster then secretes a substance called mother-of-pearl around the unfamiliar object and in this way a pearl is progressively formed. Cultured pearls are formed when man takes oysters from their homes and inserts a particle of unfamiliar matter into their shells in order to produce a pearl. The oysters are placed in nets and are lowered back into the water. After a period of 3 to 6 years, the oysters are pulled back up and the pearls they have “manufactured” are taken out.
The pearl´s value is determined by its perfection of form, its color and its luster.