April 11, 2010
I've heard about cultured pearls quite often, but I never understood what natural pearls are and how they are formed. Could someone please explain?
May 12, 2010
May 4, 2010
Natural pearls are composed of 100% calcium carbonate and conchiolin. Natural pearls are created as a result of a set of accidental conditions when a microscopic parasite penetrates into a bivalve mollusk, settling in the mollusk's shell, which causes the mollusk to become irritated, thus secreting the calcium carbonate and conchiolin to cover the irritant. This secretion process is repeated and a pearl is formed. Natural pearls are quite rarely used in pearl jewelry today, ever since cultured pearls were introduced about a century ago.