Pearls are without a doubt an extraordinary kind of gemstone. Formed in the bodies or mantle tissues of certain mollusks instead of deep in the earth, they can be natural or cultured. This unique origin has fascinated people for centuries. Unlike other gemstones, they usually don’t require any cutting or polishing, making them an expression of natural beauty. Apart from the classic white and cream shades, they can also occur in a wide variety of colors and overtones. 

Pearls have been treasured for thousands of years, with their older written mention being in 2206 BC by a Chinese historian. Many ancient civilizations and members of royalty used natural pearls as adornments and symbols of purity. From those times and until the discovery of the New World, some of the sources of pearls were the Persian Gulf, Sri Lanka, China and Europe.

Today, most pearls are cultured, and there are four major types: 

• Freshwater ones are the most popular in jewelry, they come in many shapes and colors and the main producer is China.
•  Akoya cultured pearls are the most known saltwater pearls in the western markets. They are white and cream and they are produced in Japan and China.
• South Sea cultured pearls are saltwater and come from Indonesia, Australia and the Philippines. They are large and thick and can be white to silver or golden. Their long growth period and difficult growing conditions make them very valuable. 
• Tahitian cultured saltwater pearls can be grey, black or brown and they usually have overtones. They are cultivated in the islands of French Polynesia.

Pearls are a treasure of earth’s waters and a symbol of natural elegance, grace and purity. Being soft and luminous, they are a classic and timeless gemstone that will always be relevant in jewelry. Their value doesn’t come only from their appearance, but also from the sense of refinement and tradition they have represented for years.