Wholesale Gemstones -- Pearl

Unlike crystals such as Emeralds and Rubies, Pearls are Organic gemstones. Pearls grow inside mollusks, that create the pearls by secreting concentric layers of nacre onto an irritant introduced into the sea creature. The Pearls you see today are Cultured Pearls, meaning that human beings, and not random events, introduce tiny beads into the mollusks in order to stimulate the creation of this gemstone. Pearls are valued for their lustrous sheen, unique colors, and smooth surface. There are four varieties of Pearls, each of which grows in a different kind of mollusk.

Akoya: These are the most lustrous of all the Pearl varieties. Most valued are the white Akoya, with reflections that are bright, sharp, and distinct, almost mirror-like. They are produced mainly in Japan and China.

South Sea: South Sea Pearls tend to be the largest of the Pearl varieties. They come from Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. They have a soft, satiny luster, rather than the mirror-like surface of the Akoya. They come in an array of colors, including white, and are especially valued for the more rare colors such as the rich, Golden South Sea Pearls.

Tahitian: Tahitian Pearls are often known as Black Pearls, but they come in an array of beautiful shades, from silver tones, to greenish, bluish, and purplish. They are cultivated in French Polynesia. They also can be grown quite large, as with South Sea Pearls. The subtle variations in their colors, even in a single Pearl, are a delight to the eye.

Freshwater: Freshwater Pearls are cultivated in China. They are called Freshwater in comparison to the other varieties of Pearls which are grown in Saltwater. Freshwater Pearls come in many colors, including white, and are becoming known for a variety of shades of pastel in more recent years. They tend to be a bit more affordable than the other varieties.

Pearls are valued along a number of different dimensions. Here are some of the value factors that are considered.