What are Keshi pearls?

Keshi pearls are any pearls the grow without a nucleus and are made from 100 percent nacre. The term comes from the Japanese word for 'poppy seed', probably due to their small size. Keshi pearls have an amoeba like shape rather than a perfectly round shape like typical natural and cultured pearls that do have a nucleus. Natural Keshi pearls usually grow when the outer shell of the pearl producing mollusk is damaged and somehow the shell fragments bore into the mollusc's tissue, causing it to secrete nacre. Damage can occur to the mollusk's shell if it is attacked by a predator or somehow smashed. Most Keshi pearls however are cultivated on purpose without a nucleus, and Keshi pearls are usually formed as a byproduct of the pearl cultivation process when the mollusk continues to secrete nacre even once the nucleated pearl is removed. Since you can't tell if a Keshi pearl is natural or cultivated, they are generally classified as cultivated or cultured pearls to be on the safe side. They can be formed in either salt water or fresh water pearls. Keshi pearls have especially high luster because they are composed of 100 percent nacre, and can be found in a wide variety of colors and shapes. Keshi pearls are used in making jewelry, especially as pearl strands for bracelets or necklaces.

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