Pearls are one of the oldest most highly valued and sought after gems.  Known for their warm iridescence and shimmering beauty; Pearls, have captured hearts for thousands of years.

The Latin word for Pearl literally means "unique", attesting to the fact that no two pearls are identical. There are basically three types of Pearls: natural, cultured and imitation. A natural pearl (often referred to as an Oriental Pearl) forms when an irritant, such as a piece of sand, works its way into a particular species of oyster, mussel or clam. As a defense mechanism, the mollusk then secretes a fluid to coat the irritant. Layer upon layer of this coating is deposited upon the irritant until a lustrous pearl is formed. A cultured pearl virtually undergoes the same process. The only difference is that the irritant is a surgically implanted bead or piece of shell called Mother of Pearl.

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