The History of the Pearl

For four thousand years, from ancient China, India and Egypt, to Rome and even Native American Tribes, Pearls have been cherished both physically (elegance and beauty) and spiritually (healing powers). It is the June birthstone and it has its place dating back to ancient history. Originating from the Roman word pirula meaning "tear-shaped," the history and symbolism of the pearl is unparalleled by any other gem. It carries a spirituality and regality that has been sought after for generations - longer than any other gem. Truly the "Living Gem".

Referred to as the only true "Natural Gem," the pearl is the only gemstone which is grown inside of a living organism. They are formed within oysters or mollusks when a foreign substance (usually a parasite - not a grain of sand) invades the shell of the oyster, entering the delicate mantle tissue, and picking up epithelial cells. In response to this irritation, the epithelial cells form into a sac (known as a pearl sac). This soothing secretion is referred to as conchiolin (kon-KY-oh-lin) over which a second, crystalline substance is secreted called nacre. Nacre is composed of microscopic crystals of calcium carbonate. And it is this nacre build-up of specifically aligned crystals that creates the unique prismatic effect. The greater the build-up, the larger the pearl and the more intense glow it seems to emit. This soft iridescence is the essence of a pearl's luster and orient, from which it's beauty and rareness is equated. This substance builds up as layers to surround the irritant which, over time, forms a pearl. It is also the same substance which the interior of the oyster shell is made of.

Totalling approximately 8,000 different species, only about 20 types of these two-shelled (bi-valve) mollusks, are capable of producing pearls consistently. In nature, pearls have always been extremely rare and valuable. Since the irritant is usually misshapen, the layers of nacre take on that form. Therefore, natural pearls found to be round or spherical are very rare and valued that much more.

Only a very small percentage of oysters will ever produce a pearl at all in an absolutely natural state. Among those that are able to produce, only a handful will develop into a desirable size, shape and color. And among that small percentage, a mere fraction will be able to be harvested by people. A common belief is that only one in ten thousand oysters will naturally produce a gem-quality pearl. If we were to rely only on nature, ownership of pearls would still be delegated to only the wealthiest in the world. As the demand for these precious natural gems increased, the most natural path to sustain them led to the development of the Cultured Pearl.

It was during the late 19th and early 20th centuries when several Japanese researchers discovered a method of producing pearls artificially. The technique involved the insertion of a foreign substance (or nucleus) into the delicate tissue of the oyster or mollusk. Upon which the oyster was returned to the sea to allow the cultured pearl to develop naturally.. This was a popular practice for harvesting Mabe pearls. It was not until 1916 when Kokichi Mikimoto perfected and patented the technique for artificially harvesting round pearls in Akoya oysters. This technique has been the standard for growing cultured Akoya pearls and has extended into the development of Freshwater Pearls, South Sea Pearls as well as Tahitian Pearls.

This exciting new discovery has allowed the pearl industry to systematically farm pearls more like an agricultural crop as opposed to just at random. Because of this, pearls can now be made available to literally anyone regardless of social class or stature. A fine pearl requires at least 2 years to grow a nacre coating thick enough to produce a pearl with lasting beauty. And within those 2 years nothing is guaranteed. A pearl farmer cannot control the mollusks: acceptance or rejection of the nucleus, the quality of pearl, the luster, color and/or surface blemishes. As soon as the irritant is planted it is left to the whim of nature and the mollusk itself.

The demand for these gems are better met, but less so in regards to the natural version. Natural pearls still come to us on occasion, but are becoming even rarer to find. A strand of rare pearls can be sold at an auction for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Because of this fact, it usually means that when you purchase pearl jewelry from any store in the world, you will be purchasing a cultured pearl jewelry.