A pearl is a hard object produced within the soft tissue (specifically the mantle) of a living shelled mollusk. Just like any other jewelry, pearls can be given as gifts and worn in jewelry pieces to give them a timeless appeal. They are often seen as symbols of love and luck, with some cultures seeing the pearl as a symbol of purity. This is what makes pearls so popular throughout history, they will never go out of style or out of demand because they are timeless and universally loved by most people.
With all their benefits, pearls are one of the most sought-after natural treasures in our world today. Pearls are fascinating and beautiful. They come in many shapes and colors. And they're not just something you see on ball gowns and at weddings, they are something you can wear every day.
Here are some of the most interesting facts about pearls:
1. Freshwater Pearls Come From a Living Creature
The animal that produces the freshwater pearl is called a pearl oyster. They are not actually pearls, but their shells are so finely lined and smooth that they appear to be.
The inside of the shell of the pearl oyster is very dark and it looks like a sponge because it has a series of channels. These channels are what produce the nacreous substance that we call pearls.
This layer of nacreous substance is built up in layers from near the center and out to the edge where it meets with water. When these layers get too thick, they break off and form an outer part of another layer. This causes them to be more valuable because they have less wear on them from rubbing against other shells or rocks underwater for years at a time—they just come from nature.
2. Natural Pearls Are Incredibly Rare
Natural Pearls are incredibly rare. In fact, most pearls that you see in pearl necklaces are cultured pearls. These pearls are grown by inserting objects into the oyster and then incubating them for a few months.
A large percentage of people who wear pearl necklaces don't know they have cultured pearls. They have been fooled by the beauty of these objects and don’t care to know more about their origin.
3. The Oldest Pearl is Almost 8,000 Years Old
The oldest pearl that has been found is the “Omaha” pearl. It was found in the Gulf of Mexico and it is estimated to be between 6,000 and 8,000 years old.
The Omaha Pearl is the oldest cultured pearl ever discovered on earth. It was discovered in 2008 by a fisherman in waters near Louisiana, USA. The pearl was then donated to Pearls of Lao Tzu Museum for further study.
The Omaha Pearl is now 8,000-6,000 years old and the farmer who found it estimates that it would have been about 600-800 mm long when alive.
4. Freshwater Pearls Take Six Months to Grow
Freshwater pearls are created by dropping a bead into the shell of the freshwater mollusk. The pearl takes 6 months to grow and will grow larger with each drop.
Freshwater pearls are timeless, classic jewelry pieces that are perfect for every occasion. Every strand of pearl jewelry is unique and beautifully made with care by skilled artisans who use only genuine freshwater pearls.
But not all freshwater pearls are created equal. Most freshwater pearl strands come from Asia and India, but many of these are treated by painting or coating them with a substance that makes them appear more lustrous which can wear off over time or expose a yellowish color under certain lighting conditions.