Pearls, Glorious Pearls

The pearls we often see today are cultured, meaning the oyster is more or less forced to make the gem. With cultured pearl farms all over the world, this beautiful and timeless gem is now easily obtained.

The culturing process officially began in 1893 when the first pearl was "created" by Kokichi Mikimoto. Simply, a pearl is made by placing a tiny bit of shell or other debris inside the oyster. It is then coated in layers of nacre until a pearl is formed. After several months, the pearl is harvested.

It was Mikimoto's desire to see pearls around the throat of every woman, not just the wealthy. In developing the culturing process, he made that wish a distinct possibility. 

There are so many works of art out there featuring pearls. Several are posted below for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

This article was originally published at A Lady's Deception, (c) Laura J Miller, and is reprinted here with permission.
*For more info on Mikimoto and pearl culturing visit these sites: Cultured Pearls: History of Mikimoto; Mikimoto Kōkichi; Cultured pearl

Freshwater Pearl Collar with "Black Diamond" Swarovski Crystals

This 18 inch collar-style necklace is six strands of freshwater pearls artfully twisted together. Nestled within the twists are several 4mm "black diamond" Swarovski crystals. The clasp is a hook and eye clasp of 0.925 sterling silver.

Price: $70.00

What is a cultured pearl?

Instead of allowing the oyster or mollusk to make a pearl on its own--a process than can take decades--a tiny foreign object is placed in the tissue of the oyster. It coats the offending object with nacre, eventually forming a "pearl". It is closely monitored until it is ready to harvest. 99% of today's pearls are cultured.

For further reading: Cultured Pearl

Necklace: Freshwater Pearls & Swarovski Lead Crystal

Can be worn with the "tail" in front...

...or in back. (The tail can also be removed completely.)

Necklace: Reversible 17 inch strand of genuine potato shaped freshwater pearls with tanzanite (lavender) Swarovski lead crystals. The "clasp" is 0.925 sterling silver, handcrafted.

Price: $35.00

Necklace & Earrings Set: Freshwater Pearl Daisies & Seed Beads

Necklace: 18 inches, two strands of hand strung green iridescent glass seed beads, twisted into a rope. Focal point is three daisies made of freshwater pearls and pineapple calcite semi-precious stone beads. 0.925 sterling silver lobster claw clasp.

Earrings: 1.5 inches of green iridescent glass seed beads, two strands twisted together, ending with a pineapple calcite semi-precious stone bead and freshwater pearl.

(above: detail of pearl flowers and sterling silver clasp)

Necklace & Earrings Set: Garnets & Freshwater Pearls

Necklace: 16 inches of 2mm and 4mm round garnet beads, 6mm freshwater button pearls with a handcrafted 0.925 sterling silver hook and eye clasp.

Earrings: 1 inch long from end of hook, 0.925 sterling silver hooks, 2mm and 4mm round genuine garnet beads, 6mm freshwater button pearls.

Necklace & Earrings Set: Emerald Swarovski Lead Crystal, Pearls & Malachite

Necklace: 20 inches of 0.925 sterling silver, 8mm malachite squares, freshwater pearls and emerald green Swarovski lead crystal. Clasp is handcrafted, 0.925 sterling silver hook and eye closure.

Earrings: 1.5 inches long from end of hook, 0.925 sterling silver, 8mm malachite squares, freshwater pearls and emerald green Swarovski lead crystal.