Pearl Jewellery

A pearl is a small, imperfect sphere, a gem with a beautiful glistening sheen that leaves you transfixed. They are known to be found in irregular shapes too, commonly referred to as ‘baroque’.  A mollusc uses layers of nacre - a composite made of aragonite - to slowly build the pearl you see and feel, spinning together an array of colours, visible as light skims the surface. The longer the mollusc spends at its work, the larger the pearl. 

Many choose pearls for their regal ambiance; a pearl will elevate any wardrobe choice, be it simple pearl earrings, a pearl necklace, pendant or bracelet. The pearl is the subtle yet sophisticated statement that truly speaks for itself, which also makes pearl bridesmaid jewellery a popular choice made by many brides.

The meaning of the simple yet elegant pearl has evolved over time. They’re believed to offer protection, while attracting good luck and radiating a soothing calmness for the wearer. Often associated with wealth, purity, wisdom and patience, the pearl is a treasured gemstone to be held dear. Some believe they were born from tears, others believe they were raindrops, while some cultures believe pearls were formed in the head of a dragon. 

Keeping your pearl jewellery clean is simple yet essential. Gently arrange your pearls on a soap, dirt and cleaning solution-free benchtop (all three can harm your favourite piece), and begin to wipe each gemstone with a very soft cloth. Stay away from any chemicals or compounds, as these can erode their lustrous layers. Avoid using heat and water. Pearls are quite delicate and require more gentle care than harder gemstones.

Real pearls will feel cold to the touch for the first few seconds, while imitation pearls will be room temperature. Imitation pearls can be deceiving to the untrained eye. While they are made from materials such as glass, plastic or alabaster, the final product can look and feel very similar to a natural pearl. 

As the only precious gemstone crafted by a living creature, the pearl is a sought-after piece. Pearls are harvested in two ways: from wild molluscs, which are incredibly rare, and more commonly they are cultured—which means they are harvested from mollusc farms. Both methods produce natural, real pearls. 

Whether you have a pearl ring,  bracelet or necklace, you should be able to see minor imperfections in your pearls—a “perfect” pearl in shape, size and colour is an extremely rare occurrence, but it does happen. On these occasions, perfect natural pearls will come at a high price point. If you find “perfect” pearls that are inexpensive, they are most likely imitation.