Learn what pearls are made of

Although we believe that only our grandmother would wear them, or that they are too classic to the level that the famous Queen Elizabeth II always wears them, pearls are one of the most beautiful gems that we can wear.

From the youth products store Shein to the luxury pieces company Cartier, various brands currently have proposals with pearls in beautiful earrings and necklaces. We even started to see them on the necks of famous men like Justin Bieber.

Thus, it is worth knowing what pearls are made of, so that you know what you are buying, whether to wear on your neck, hanging from your earlobes, or in your hair.

Also read: According to experts, these are the hottest trends in jewelry this year

(Photo: Pexels)

Pearls can be natural, cultured or imitation, and their value lies not only in their origin, but also in the quality of the gem.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a body dedicated to the protection of consumers in the United States, natural pearls are very rare, which is why most of the pearls that we see in jewelry are actually cultured pearls or an imitation.

what are pearls made of

Pearls are gems of organic origin, says the jewelry and accessories manufacturer Tous on its website.

According to the FTC, natural pearls are made from oysters and other mollusks. According to Tous, they are opaque and made of a delicate material because their structure is made up of organic matter and water.

For their part, cultured pearls are also made by a mollusk, but with the intervention of man: “(...) A nucleus is manually inserted into a mollusk so that it begins to secrete nacre, explains information on the site of Tous.

The value of cultured pearls depends, according to the US Federal Trade Commission, on their size and the quality of the nacre coating.

“The good health of the molluscs and clean water help improve the quality of the pearls,” says the American goldsmith company Tiffany, which highlights that there is a growing demand for pearls, as well as an awareness of the consequences. ecological in the cultivation of them.

Also read: According to experts, these are the hottest trends in jewelry this year

Finally, imitation pearls are man-made from glass, plastic or organic materials, the FTC says.

(Photo: Unsplash) If you dare to choose a jewel with pearls, it is your right to know if they are natural (which we already told you is complicated), or if they are cultured or imitation pearls.

Finally, you should know that pearls can have an oval, pear, or tear shape, although the most used in jewelry is the round one, where the gem that is totally spherical without imperfections has a higher value, according to the blog of the Spanish jeweler. Maresma Joiers.

As for shades, Maresma says that pearls can be of different colors: yellow, orange, pink, blue, green and violet. Likewise, she maintains that the more intense the rainbow of color that a pearl shows, the greater the value of this gem.

Also read: Mexican brand launches engagement rings for the LGBT+ community

Regarding care, the jewels should not be in contact with other goldsmith pieces, so that they are not mistreated. And in the case of pearls, the jewelry manufacturer Pandora recommends that freshwater cultured pearls are not exposed to water, makeup, creams, chemicals or cleaning products.

To clean them, she recommends a mild soap mixed with warm water, and using your fingers to gently rub the jewelry, and never a brush.

Ready to wear some pearls?