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Classification of Pearls on the basis of different factors

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Vansh shekhawat
Classification of Pearls on the basis of different factors

What are Pearls?

Pearls are shiny, durable objects that are formed in the mantle part of shelled mollusks like mussels and oysters. Similar to the shelled mollusks, Pearls are also made of calcium carbonate in a crystalized structure. The most perfect kind of Pearls are round in shape and come with a velvety surface; however, they may occur in various different shapes as well, which are known as Baroque Pearls. These timeless gemstones have been in demand all over the world for hundreds of years for their everlasting beauty.

On the basis of how Pearls are formed, they can be classified into two types that are Natural Pearls stone and Cultured Pearls.



What are Natural Pearls?

Pearls that are formed naturally inside mollusks without any sort of human assistance are called Natural Pearls. Whenever any irritant comes to the mollusk, the organism protects itself by forming nacre layers containing calcium carbonate and conchiolin. Most Pearls available in the current gemstone market are man-made, as Natural Pearls are uncommon these days and cost very high. Natural Pearls occur in different shapes and sizes, among which round Pearls are quite uncommon.


What are Cultured Pearls?

Unlike Natural Pearls, Cultured Pearls are formed with human assistance. These Pearls are formed within the shells of mollusks with the help of harvesting. In Cultured Pearls, the irritants are applied to mollusks purposely so that nacre layers can be formed. Such Pearls can be formed using both saltwater and freshwater; however, the quality of these Pearls is not consistent. Cultured Pearls occur in uniform shapes and sizes and can be available in different colors with the help of dyeing. On the basis of source of origin, Pearls can be further classified into two types, namely Freshwater Pearls and Saltwater Pearls.


What are Freshwater Pearls?

Freshwater Pearls are quite common in the gemstone market and are priced quite reasonably. These Pearls do not contain bead nuclei; hence they only contain nacre layers. Due to this, they are extremely sturdy and prone to scratches. Due to the absence of bead nuclei, Freshwater Pearls occur in irregular shapes and are referred to as semi-baroque and baroque. These Pearls are available in a variety of colors and are formed in mussels from rivers, lakes and ponds.


What are Saltwater Pearls?

Compared to Freshwater Pearls, Saltwater Pearls are quite uncommon, which makes their price higher. Despite their rarity, these Pearls are well-known among people. Various celebrities such as Priyanka Chopra, Queen Elizabeth and Deepika Padukone have been seen wearing these Pearls. Saltwater Pearls contain big nuclei inside, which makes them round in shape. These Pearls have a lustrous surface and are available in different colors, which add to their worth. Oysters from oceans form Saltwater Pearls, and this process takes a lot of time. These Pearls are of better quality as compared to Freshwater Pearls; however, they aren't as durable as Freshwater Pearls.

Saltwater Pearls can be divided into three categories that include Akoya Pearls, South Sea Pearls and Tahitian Pearls.


What are Tahitian Pearls?

Tahitian Pearls are formed inside Pinctada Margaritifera Oysters that are available in French Polynesia and Tahiti seas. These superior-grade Pearls have a shiny surface, as these lustrous Pearls contain a metal-like sheen. Commonly Tahitian Pearls occur in a variety of colors, namely grey, black and peacock. 




What are South Sea Pearls?

The most large-sized and rare Pearls are South Sea Pearls. These Pearls are formed in large sizes due to the Pinctada Maxima oyster in which they are formed. Due to the large size, their formation is extremely difficult and time-consuming, which leads to increasing their cost. These Pearls are famous for their intense shades and lustrous surface. Different colors in which South Sea Pearls are available are golden, silver and white, overtoned with pink.


What are Akoya Pearls?

Akoya Pearls are beautiful roundels that are highly lustrous in nature. These Pearls are white in color and are utilized for pieces of jewelry in movies and tv series due to their elegance. Similar to the Akoya oyster in which they are made, they are mostly white in color; however, they can be over toned with cream and pink colors.

The elegance and timeless beauty of Pearls make them the preferred choices when looking to buy expensive gemstones. We at Navratan, the Online Gem Bazaar, sell Certified Pearls stone in the US through our online store. 











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