Pearls are black, pink, white, cream, and round or irregular in form. Pearl jewelry is popular, from old classics to modern trends. While most people connect pearls with necklaces, they're also placed in rings, earrings, pendants, and bracelets. Pearl jewelry is ageless. 

Pearls are wonderful. Unlike gemstones or valuable metals, pearls are generated by living oysters below the sea's surface. Cut and polished gems are beautiful. Pearls are beautiful without such treatment. They're born from oysters entirely, with sparkling iridescence, sheen, and delicate interior light. A natural pearl originates as a parasite or shell that becomes lodged in an oyster's delicate inner body.  

The oyster's body fights this irritation. To defend itself, the oyster secretes a hard, smooth crystalline material. This is "nacre." The oyster will keep secreting nacre as long as the irritant is within its body. Over time, smooth crystalline coatings enclose the irritant. The outcome is a beautiful pearl. 

The following are ten surprising facts about pearls that you probably didn't know. Continue to learn more by doing the reading. 

Fact 1:

As far as we know, pearls are the only jewels to have been mined from a live animal. While some oysters succumb to the removal of pearls, mussels can survive. The pearl collection has been in existence for more than 4,000 years. 

Fact 2:

It is possible to make new pearls without harming the original mollusks using cultured mollusk pearls as a starting point. 

Fact 3:

The saltwater pearls, also known as Akoya pearls, are harvested from oysters, while the freshwater pearls are taken from mussels. In addition to that, all mollusks can produce pearls. 

Fact 4:

Depending on the color of the shell, these jewels might be white, ivory, black, purple, or even gold in hue. 

Fact 5:

It is general knowledge that many cultivated pearls may be found on the market. However, it is rare for a single oyster to produce a natural pearl. 

Fact 6:

Each pearl has its qualities, making each one a one-of-a-kind treasure. Furthermore, no pearl is flawless. 

Fact 7:

The tomb of a Persian princess, who died in 520 BC, contained the earliest pearl jewelry ever recovered. 

Fact 8:

During a wager with Marc Antony, Cleopatra won by dissolving one of her pearl earrings in a drink and spending a modest amount. 

Fact 9.

The phrase "periculture" is sometimes used to cultivate cultured pearls. 

Fact 10:

Jacques Cartier, a world-renowned jeweler, was able to buy his Fifth Avenue shop in 1916 for only two pearl necklaces. 

Conclusion:

When one starts to go more into the history and background of pearls, it becomes much simpler to understand, not only does the gemstone have a long and illustrious history that has been inextricably linked to a wide variety of historical civilizations, but it also remains one of the most sought jewels in modern times. Ten incredible facts about pearls shed light on this precious stone's one-of-a-kind qualities. If you're interested in pearls and want to learn more about them, read some of our other posts.