What are Cultured Pearls?

Pearls have proven to be iconic gemstones. They may not shine like diamonds, rubies, or emeralds, but they are a class apart. A class of their own, if you will. The timeless style of these clothes stands the test of time. You could wear the pearls that once belonged to your grandmother, and they would still be relevant in this age and time. 

Pearls show opulence, grandeur, and richness. They also symbolize peace and calm, purity, innocence, and humility.
 

They are usually found in ocean waters, inside a mollusk, such as an oyster. However, these marine pearls are quite rare, hence very expensive as well. 

That is where cultured pearls come into the picture. They really just changed the game, made pearls more affordable and accessible, and brought about different types, varieties, sizes, and colors. 

These pearls are farmed in controlled environments, where the farmer is able to determine what type of pearl will be formed, its color, size, etc. 

Another important thing to note is that, unlike marine waters, their cultured counterparts are usually formed in freshwater bodies such as rivers, ponds, lakes, etc. They are also formed in saltwater bodies. However, these are rarer.

China is the largest producer of these pearls. However, they are also formed in Australia, the US, Mexico, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Fiji as well, and are then globally exported. 

The ecological conditions on the Indian Ocean's coasts are ideal for the production of these pearls. 

Yes, of course, pearls that are cultured are real. The confusion arises because of the term "natural pearls," which is for the gemstones that form in saltwater. This usually gives the impression that pearls that are cultured are not real or synthetic. But that is not the case. They are real gemstones formed underwater; their circumstances just differ. In marine pearls, there is no human intervention. 

Yes absolutely! Just because freshwater pearls are not as expensive as their marine counterparts does not make them any less valuable. They are gemstones, after all! They are precious. At present, the South Sea pearls that are cultured have the highest value in the market. There is a huge demand for these timeless gemstones, which is why they are harvested on such a large scale. It is highly unlikely to find a saltwater pearl at a jeweler. Cultured ones are the gemstones that are used more widely. They are also a designer favorite. 

The ethics of farming pearls have been a source of controversy. Environmentalists, as well as animal rights activists, have been questioning the ethics of the pearl industry, arguing that much of the farming process causes stress to the mollusks such as oysters, disrupting the ecosystems that surround it. 

From the animal rights point of view, experts have defended the practice, saying that oysters are not able to feel as they do not have a nervous system as humans do. So they do not experience any stress or pain.

The oysters have to be surgically opened, and an irritant has to be implanted for cultured farming. Layers of nacre or calcium carbonate then form around the irritant, which is how pearls are formed. 

Experts have said that this process is similar to an auto-immune response that protects the mollusk without causing it pain or stress.

When it comes to the environmental aspect, there are good ways to go about farming.

The mollusks need to be cleaned regularly, so they are kept in nets or cages underwater so they can be accessed easily. 

Keeping these oysters in shallow water minimizes the disruption to the surrounding ecology physically when it is time to clean the mollusks. 

Pearls that are formed in freshwater bodies such as rivers, ponds, lakes, etc. are freshwater pearls. Pearls that are cultured are also done so in freshwater bodies, however, with human intervention. 

In pearl farming, the farmer can pick the mollusk, whether it is from saltwater or freshwater. He then implants an irritant surgically after opening the shell of the mollusk. This then secretes a calcium carbonate layer called nacre around it. After many layers of nacre are formed over the years, a pearl is formed. 

Pearl farming has come into practice to cater to the great demand for these precious gemstones.

Natural pearls are found in ocean water. A very tiny irritant enters an oyster and places itself there. This results in a layer of calcium carbonate being secreted around it. This is called nacre. Over the years, many layers of nacre are formed around the irritant, which ultimately forms a single pearl. 

While culturing the gemstone, the process is almost similar, except that it requires human intervention. The pearl farmer surgically implants the irritant inside the mollusk, which then secretes the nacre layer, which in turn forms the pearl. This process is being taken up on a large scale to meet the growing demand for these iconic, timeless jewels. 

These pearls also have more varieties, sizes, colors, and shapes. A very different variety is the coin freshwater pearl. These are button-shaped, flat, thin, and really crisp pearls that are absolutely delicate. These give the jewelry a very young, beachy, bohemian look.

If you are someone who wants to buy natural pearls, you might be disappointed. There are not many available on the market. Even those that are extremely expensive and usually small Natural pearls are occasionally found by accident. However, nobody really goes looking for them anymore. 

Farmed pearls have become the new industry norm. They have made these iconic gemstones very accessible and affordable. Jewelry designers love their versatility. They also provide employment to quite a few communities on the Indian Ocean coast.

Some rural coastal villages in remote areas have also based their economic models on farming pearls because of the high market value of these jewels. 
 

The first time you look at a pearl, you won't be able to tell whether it's cultured or natural. To check the source of the pearl, check its authenticity certificate. Natural pearls are usually smaller and shaped irregularly. However, this can also be true for cultured pearls. 

On this note, you should also know about keshi freshwater pearls. The process of creating pearls produces these by-products. Their shape is irregular, and they are found in the inner lining of oysters. However, their lack of consistency is so beautiful that even the by-product has become a category of its own and enjoys its own fanbase. 

Pearls can be cultured in both saltwater and freshwater. However, freshwater is the more dominant form of pearls that are available because they are easier to work with. 

There are three types of cultured saltwater pearls – Akoya, Tahitian, and SouthSea Pearls. 

The pearls cultured in freshwater, on the other hand, have more shapes, sizes, colors, and varieties. You will find the best of these freshwater varieties on the Beads of Cambay website. From colors such as blue freshwater pearls, champagne, etc., to types such as keshi and coin pearls, we have a vast portfolio for you to pick from.

The varieties of pearls formed in freshwater seem endless. If you are looking at purchasing some, Beads of Cambay is the place for you. We have pearls in various shapes and sizes as well as colors. We also specialize in large hole pearls. Our pearl portfolio is vast, and you are most likely to add most of our products to your wishlist.

Our prices are also competitive—the best in the market. Our product quality is also impeccable. And our service is also bound to leave you impressed. 

So go ahead and shop for baroque pearls, keshi, or coin pearls, all of which come in various colors such as champagne, pink, lavender, red, blue, green, and so many more. 

Marine pearls are limited in color, while cultured freshwater ones have many varieties. 

The marine ones include white, gold, silver, and blue-silver. The black in the marine ones is treated with color. 

For freshwater ones, there are colors such as green freshwater pearls and blue; these two have a metallic finish to them. Beads of Cambay has these pearls and so many more, such as champagne, peach, orange, pastel shades of pink, and lavender, apart from the classic white. 

Jewelry designers love these pearls because of their versatility. They can inculcate these in many designs. 

Well, it depends on what you're looking for and what "perfect" means to you. What shape, size, and color do you want? This can be very subjective. But if you browse through the Beads of Cambay website, you will see that there is a vast pearl portfolio for you to go through and pick the pearls that are perfect for you. 

We have pearls in all shapes and sizes, large ones, baroque ones, various types such as keshi, coins, and even regular round pearls. The range of colors is also bound to have you adding all our products to your wishlist. And what's more? It is possible to purchase all these products for the best prices available on the market.