The birth of a pearl is truly a miraculous event. Unlike gemstones or precious metals that must be mined from the earth, pearls are grown by live oysters far below the surface of the sea.

A natural pearl begins its life as a foreign object, such as a parasite or piece of sand, that by accident lodges itself in the oyster’s soft inner body where it cannot be expelled.

In an effort to ease this irritant, the oyster’s body takes defensive action. The oyster begins to secrete a smooth, hard crystalline substance around the irritant in order to protect itself. This substance is called nacre.

As long as the irritant remains within its body, the oyster will continue to secrete nacre around the irritant, layer upon layer. After a few years, the irritant will be totally encased by the silky crystalline coatings. The result — the lovely and lustrous gem called a pearl.

According to the Cultured Pearl Information Center in New York, while cultured pearl jewelry is the perfect holiday gift, it is best to be knowledgeable about cultured pearls before buying them. You should always buy from a reputable jeweler whom you trust.
By knowing what quality factors cultured pearls are judged by, you can be sure you are getting the best quality that your budget will allow. The most important are:

1. Lustre- Lustre refers to a combination of surface shine and a deep, almost three-dimensional glow emanating from within the heart of the pearl. To judge luster, look at your reflection in the surface of the pearl. The clearer and crisper the reflection, the better the lustre and more valuable the pearl. Any pearl that looks too dull or chalky indicates a lower quality pearl.
2. Surface- Because cultured pearls are created by nature it is rare to find a pearl that is completely free of any surface blemishes, like pits, spots or small bumps. Still, the fewer the blemishes on a pearl, the more valuable it is.
3. Shape- The rounder and more symmetrical a pearl, the more valuable it is. However, baroque pearls, which are irregular in shape and often cost less, can be very beautiful.
4. Color-usually rose or silver/white pearls tend to look best on fair skins, while cream and gold-toned pearls flatter darker complexions.
5. Size- Cultured pearls are measured by their diameter in millimeters. Other factors being equal, the larger the pearl, the more valuable it is.

Cultured pearls are relatively soft compared to other gemstones and precious metals. So it is important to take special care of your pearls to ensure they will remain bright and beautiful for generations to come.

Cosmetics, perfume and hair spray all contain chemicals that can dull the lustre of a pearl over extended periods of time. Even acids contained in body oils and perspiration can work to damage lustre in the same way.

Therefore, it is best to put your pearls on after applying makeup, perfume and hair spray. Wiping the pearls with a soft damp cloth after you wear them will ensure that they remain free from any harmful build-ups of these compounds. Periodically, the pearls should be washed with a mild soap.