What exactly is pearl farming and how does it take place?

Pearl farming basically means raising cultured pearls. Although initially, pearls were only grown in wild oysters, currently this is not necessarily the case. Scientists have set aside oysters that make the best candidates for bearing pearls. Such oysters typically breed the most outstanding pearls with incredible luster. To implant the shell bead, professionals pry the oysters open and then place the irritant in the oyster. This bead actually becomes the core around which many layers of nacre gather to eventually create the prized gem – the pearl. Once the pearls have been implanted properly in the oysters, they are placed back in the ocean. In the ocean, the oysters receive the nutrients they need to develop, thereby bestowing more layers of nacre around the core. Though nature does most of the work, man does do his best to protect pearls, meaning that pearl farming entails shifting pearl oysters when they are in danger of predators or a stark change in temperature. These oysters are then hung from rafts, from which technicians ensure that the conditions are optimal and make any necessary changes to induce the best possible conditions for pearl breeding. Every so often, pearl oysters are raised to the surface and cleaned or treated to make sure that the anything that might cause these oysters harm, like seaweed for example, are taken away from the precious oysters. Afterwards, the pearl oysters' shells receive treatments that keep parasites from harming them. Finally, the oysters reach the point where they are prepared for harvest. The pearl oysters that have managed to overcome all the dangers of the sea are opened and if the process has gone smoothly, beautiful pearls are born into the world. The whole process takes about two to three years, but in the end it is well worth the wait for all the people out there that are just longing to wear pearl jewelry.

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