The pearl has symbolized the rare, the beautiful and the mesmerizing for thousands of years. Unlike gemstones such as rubies and diamonds, pearls are created by living creatures, specifically the pearl oyster. However, not every mollusk produces these gifts and the ones that do vary in quality. Generally, since oysters can be privately farmed, the pearls that occur naturally, without human involvement, are the most sought-after and, in turn, the most expensive.
Some of the most common natural varieties on the market today are the South Sea, Tahitian, Akoya and Freshwater types. Within those rare naturally occurring gems there are factors that determine which are the cream of the crop. Because of its complexities, when perfection is achieved in a pearl, its value will reach astronomical figures. With such a tremendous range in grades, even the average person can find real peals to suit their pocketbook.
The first noticeable aspect of any pearl is its color. Depending on the mollusk, they can come in an array of colors, including pink and yellow, but generally the most popular are white and black. What most determines value and price is quality, shape and the pureness of the color. Any shades or overtones of secondary colors often lower the value.
Another quality taken into account is the luster or shine of a pearl. This is created through the reflection of light through the translucent layers within the gem. The more layers that have built up, the stronger the luster and subsequently, the pricier the pearl. Shape is obviously a huge factor when judging pearls.
Many of these treasures come in asymmetrical shapes and are thus imperfect. The closer to a perfect sphere that one can find, the more expensive it will be on the open market. Just as pearls must be easy on the eye, they must be soft to the touch. Any creases or ripples in the surface layer will lower the value quite a bit.
Ideally, they should be completely smooth throughout the sphere, which, of course is not usually the case and quite a rare find. Size is also an important factor in determining value in a pearl. The largest tend to be found in the South Sea, or in Tahiti, where they can reach sizes of 13mm. A pearl engagement ring will be most impressive when the focal point is a large pearl, possibly flanked by diamonds, or smaller pearls.
Although real pearls are formed by living things and not mined like most gems, they still have just as many uses. These spectacular spheres can be strung into necklaces, fashioned into pendants or even placed in a simple anniversary ring. In fact, the way this prize of the sea is conceived only adds to its mystique. It can be said that the life that created the pearl lives on through its uniqueness, elegance and charm.