Pearls Lovely Pearls
I think it’s safe to say that the majority of women love gemstones of all kinds. There is simply one problem, they can get quite expensive, but I think there is one gemstone that is occasionally overlooked, that is the classically elegant pearl. Pearls are more affordable than ever because of the method which has been developed to culture the pearl.
The Culturing of the Savage Pearl
A pearl has a subtle elegance that no other gemstone matches. Pearls use to only be available at the whims of nature. Fortunately though a process has been developed which allows experts to cultivate, or culture, these fine treasures, enabling us to enjoy pearls more often and more reasonably priced.
The culturing process has a long history behind it thatbegins in Australia. William Saville-Kent actually discovered the methods behind pearl culturing, but it is actually two men from Japan, Tokichi Nishikawa and Tatsuhei Mise, who are responsible for its true beginning as a commercial process.They were awarded the patent in Japan for culturing pearls in 1916, and Nishikawa’s Father-in-law then began to apply this technology to akoya pearl oysters. This technology was then applied to the south sea oyster in 1917 however it took another 11 years before a commercial crop of pearls was produced.
The oyster is brought out of the water, and a small irritant, usually a piece of shell or oyster tissue is inserted into the oyster. The oyster then activates its natural defense system and starts to coat the intruder with a layer of nacre. It keeps doing this until a full pearl is formed. This process can take anywhere from 2 to 7 years. While sand can cause a pearl to be formed it is much more likely that a bead, piece of shell, or chunk of tissue was used. These provide more reliable pearls, and pearl shapes, great for pearl necklaces and pearl earrings.
The culturing of pearls has provided a unique opportunity for those who desire this jewel. They are able to have a real pearl made through the same process as natural pearls without having to wait as long. It also provides the chance to have longer strands of matching pearls. Whatever the case may be, the culturing of pearls has truly made the jewelry world a better place.
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