Have you ever wondered how pearls are made and sold in very expensive prices in the market? If you would like to know the process entailed in processing them, you can rely on this article. You will gain enough information on how the different forms of pearls are processed.
Natural Pearls
Pearls are formed naturally when some kind of an irritant enters the oyster or mussel. The irritant may be in a form of the following: piece of sand, bacteria, piece of shell or food particle. After that, the process of protection begins and nacre is secreted just around the irritant. Then, it will result to the formation of the pearl.
Sea water Cultured Pearls
The very first step in pearl farming from the sea is the selection of parent oysters to breed the quality oysters. One of the criteria used in the selection involves an interior with an excellent appearance, along with the thick shell. Actually, it takes up to 2 years for the baby oyster to be matured. It is during this time that they are placed in sea buckets located on the spot where the fresh water enters the sea. By doing this, the oysters will be provided with more nutrients.
The next step is inserting the nucleus or base around the area where the pearl develops. A nucleus or base can be made from a freshwater mussel shell also known as pigtoe. The shell is formed just like the shape of a bead. When the pigtoe has been inserted into the Akoya oyster, it has a great potential for success. After that, the oysters will be set on land for half an hour. This is the right time for them to open their shells which are usually braced open. After that, the nucleus will be surgically placed into the oyster which will then be put back into the sea basket. This basket provides for mobility to protect against temperature variations or predators. Changes in temperature will also affect the pearl’s quality that may lead to the oyster’s death.
The pearl’s growth, through the deposit of necre layers usually takes 2-4 years. The period of cultivation is usually based upon the size and quality of the pearl desired. Then, the pearl will finally be removed from the oyster.
The next step is inserting the nucleus or base around the area where the pearl develops. A nucleus or base can be made from a freshwater mussel shell also known as pigtoe. The shell is formed just like the shape of a bead. When the pigtoe has been inserted into the Akoya oyster, it has a great potential for success. After that, the oysters will be set on land for half an hour. This is the right time for them to open their shells which are usually braced open. After that, the nucleus will be surgically placed into the oyster which will then be put back into the sea basket. This basket provides for mobility to protect against temperature variations or predators. Changes in temperature will also affect the pearl’s quality that may lead to the oyster’s death.
The pearl’s growth, through the deposit of necre layers usually takes 2-4 years. The period of cultivation is usually based upon the size and quality of the pearl desired. Then, the pearl will finally be removed from the oyster.
Freshwater Cultured Pearls
The freshwater mussels that have the capability to develop pearls can grow in freshwater lakes or rivers. Just like the saltwater pearls, these freshwater pearls are cultivated in the very same manner. However, the freshwater pearl’s nucleus is made from a so-called mantle tissue.
Saltwater and Fresh Pearls
The so-called keshii pearls can be grown in either saltwater or freshwater oysters. Actually, they are classified as cultured pearls because of the fact that the nucleus inserted is excluded prior to the pearl’s complete formation. When these pearls have undergone polishing, they can already be sold in the market. These are some of the ways on how pearls are made based from the location where they are found.
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