Cultured pearls or fine pearls: what are the differences?

Fine pearls vs. cultured pearls: a story of discovery

Fine pearls are natural pearls that form in nature without any human intervention. These pearls are much rarer than cultured pearls. They are created in the same way as cultured pearls, but the process occurs naturally and is not man-induced. Fine pearls can be found in a variety of colors, including white, pink, yellow and black, and are often prized for their unique and beautiful appearance. Historically, it did not exist on the antique jewelry only fine pearls. They are now among extremely rare and sought-after, even collected, materials. You will find them in particular on our selection of jewelry from the Napoleon III period and again also on Belle Epoque jewelry.

Cultured pearls, on the other hand, are pearls produced from oysters or pearl mussels raised in a controlled environment, such as a pearl farm. These pearls are created when a small pearl or piece of shell is placed into the oyster or mussel, which then secretes a substance called nacre to cover the pearl or shell. Over time, this process results in the formation of a pearl.

How long have cultured pearls been around?

Cultured pearls were first produced in the early 1900s by a Japanese scientist named Mikimoto Kōkichi. Kōkichi developed a method of growing pearls using pearl oysters, which involved inserting a small pearl or piece of shell into the oyster, which then covered the pearl or shell with a substance called mother-of-pearl. This process resulted in the creation of a pearl, and it revolutionized the pearling industry by making possible the production of high-quality pearls on a large scale.

The Kōkichi pearl cultivation method was first demonstrated at the Paris Exhibition in 1908, and it quickly became popular in Japan and other parts of the world. Today, cultured pearls are produced in many countries, including Japan, China, and Australia, and they are widely used in many styles of jewelry.

What types of cultured pearls are found on jewelry?

Pearl jewelry can be made from different types of pearls, such as freshwater pearls, Akoya pearls, South Sea pearls and Tahitian pearls.

Freshwater pearls are cultured pearls produced from freshwater mussels. They are generally smaller and less expensive than other types of pearls, and are mostly used for costume or high-fashion jewelry.

Akoya pearls are a type of cultured pearl produced by the Akoya oyster. These pearls are usually round or nearly round in shape and are known for their luster and beautiful colors, which can range from white to cream to pink.

South Sea pearls are a type of cultured pearl produced by the pearl oyster found in the waters around Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines. These pearls are larger and rarer than other types of cultured pearls, and are valued for their luxurious appearance and beautiful colors, which can range from white to gold tosilvere.

Tahitian pearls are a type of cultured pearl produced by the black-rimmed pearl oyster found in the waters of French Polynesia. These beads are known for their unique colors, which can range from black to dark gray to green.

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