PEARLS - NATURE'S ART

Pearls symbolize wealth, wisdom and dignity and yet can only be created by a disturbing particle.
Through years of build-up, layer by layer, nacre is deposited around the particle and a pearl is created. To reach a size of 7 mm ø, an oyster needs 3 years. Depending on the type of pearl oyster, the habitat and water temperature, the color of the oyster varies from white to yellow and pink to gray.

FRESH WATER PEARLS

Freshwater pearls are very popular because of their variety in shape, color and size.Unlike saltwater pearls, they usually do not have a mother-of-pearl core. In breeding, a mussel can be equipped with 20 to 60 pieces of tissue.

Freshwater pearls come in all shapes, most are spherical. Most of them come from the Yangtze Kiang in China. They are often white, yellowish, pink and rarely greenish.

AKOYA PEARLS

Akoya pearls (saltwater pearls) originally come from Japan, which was the unrestricted producer of Akoya pearls until the 1990s. Since the mother oyster is only relatively small, Akoya pearls reach an average size of 2 to 9 mm. Akoya pearls are naturally white or cream-colored, but are often dyed in a wide variety of colors.

Akoya pearls are the best known cultured pearls. The mussels are cultivated in the southern and southwestern bays of Japan and in the China Sea. The most sought-after color is a delicate pink.

SOUTH SEA PEARLS

South Sea pearls, the queen of pearls, including the famous Tahitian pearls, are easily recognized by their size of up to 17 mm and their natural beauty. The nacreous layer around the core is usually very thick and healthy. These pearls have a beautiful, lustrous natural color and therefore do not require artificial enhancement.

South Sea pearls are cultivated in the large Pinctada Maxima oyster. They are therefore larger than all other cultured pearls. Since the breeding is very difficult, these pearls are particularly valuable.

TAHITI PEARLS

Tahitian pearls are created in the Pinctada Margaritifera oyster. Since these rare, dark gray to almost black pearls are the only natural black cultured pearls, they are particularly precious.