One piece of jewelry that has persisted as the symbol of elegance is the pearl necklace. Adorning Queens of Europe to the famous Jackie Kennedy, pearls have been a notable accessories for those of fashion and fortune. This jewelry has its roots in history, and has been supported by the less well-known processes of pearl hunting and farming.
Thousands of years ago, between 206BC-220AD in the Chinese Han Dynasty, seawater pearls were hunted. Soon after, the poor pearl oysters of Venezuela were discovered. These days, the Margarita pearls from the same Venezuelan coasts are less common. Pearl necklaces made from hunted pearls are very valuable, as up to three tons of pearl oysters is necessary to obtain three perfect pearls!
Pearl farming is often used in today’s cultured pearl market. Beaded cultured pearls, which start with a nucleus bead, as opposed to a natural grain of sand, are grown one at a time, and can take 2-7 years to grow. Non-beaded freshwater pearls are grown in the mollusk mantle, where up to 25 pearls can be initiated. Both farming methods are somewhat of a surgical method for the mollusks. Those that survive the extraction of the finished pearl will be implanted with another for future growth.
The value of cultured pearl necklaces is obviously in the time and effort required to create the pearls. Natural pearls are even more valuable and are considered rare jewels, such as are precious gem and will continue to be classic addition to any collection.
Pearl farming is often used in today’s cultured pearl market. Beaded cultured pearls, which start with a nucleus bead, as opposed to a natural grain of sand, are grown one at a time, and can take 2-7 years to grow. Non-beaded freshwater pearls are grown in the mollusk mantle, where up to 25 pearls can be initiated. Both farming methods are somewhat of a surgical method for the mollusks. Those that survive the extraction of the finished pearl will be implanted with another for future growth.
The value of cultured pearl necklaces is obviously in the time and effort required to create the pearls. Natural pearls are even more valuable and are considered rare jewels, such as are precious gem and will continue to be classic addition to any collection.
Oh, So Pretty in Pearls