Pearl Engagement Rings

Creation of Pearls

How are pearls created? Oysters and mussels create these beautiful gemstones by covering a foreign object, such as a pebble or grain of sand, with a protective covering called nacre. This is the same substance that lines the interior of the shell with an opalescent sheen.

Cultured Pearls

In 1916, Kokichi Mikimoto obtained the first patent for producing cultured pearls. Today, the practice is common, and most marketable pearls are cultured. Creating a cultured pearl is actually the technique of giving mother nature a little extra something to work with. Shell beads or other irritants are placed inside a small cut in an oyster or mussel, triggering the mollusks to begin covering the offending intruder with nacre. The thicker the nacre becomes, the more lustrous the pearl will be. The longer a pearl has been allowed to grow, the thicker its nacre. Cultured and natural pearls are considered equal quality, but cultured pearls are typically less expensive because they are more common.

Pearl Color Choices

When most people think of pearls, they think of a creamy white, luminescent coloring. However, pearls come in a variety of colors, including gold, cream, black, blue, pink, and green. Many pearls actually have a main color with a second shade as an overtone or highlight. The combination of these colors influences the value given to a particular stone. A white body with pink hues is one of the most expensive and most popular pearl colors.

Pearl Shape

Pearls actually come in a variety of shapes. A perfectly round pearl is considered the most valuable shape. However, other beautiful pearls may be tear-dropped in shape, which is a common choice for pendants and earrings. Uniquely shaped pearls are commonly referred to as baroque pearls.

Pearl Size

Pearls differ from other gemstones in how they are weighted and measured. While most gemstones' weight and size are referred to in carats, pearls are measured in millimeters, with the exception of natural pearls, which are also sold in carats.

Choosing a Pearl

Elaborate pearl and diamond ring.

There are several factors you should consider when choosing a pearl.

• Because pearls are porous, they can soak up other substances. If you notice a large blemish, ask the jeweler if it can be buffed away.
• Do look for cracks in the surface of the pearl, which could indicate problems in the future.
• Do look for good, uniform luster in a pearl. The pearl should appear iridescent under a fluorescent light.
• Do ask about processing treatments, such as beeswax. Beeswax is sometimes added during pearl cleaning and can affect the luster.
• Do ask the jeweler about the thickness of the nacre.
• Do perform the tooth test on a pearl to determine if it is real. Cultured and natural pearls will feel rough against a tooth, while imitation pearls will feel smooth because it is actually a type of manufactured bead.
• If you think you are purchasing a natural pearl, ask to see the x-ray results for verification. A cultured pearl will show the bead or other artificial irritant in the center.

Types of Pearls

There are actually two types of pearls, freshwater and saltwater. Either variety can be cultured or natural.

Freshwater Pearls

Freshwater pearls are found within the mussels of lakes and rivers in many countries, including the United States. It isn't necessary to add a bead to a freshwater mussel. In fact, mussels can be encouraged to create a beautiful pearl from a tissue graft of its own mantle (muscle). This forms a gemstone that is almost completely composed of nacre.

Saltwater Pearls

Saltwater pearls are usually more expensive than freshwater pearls. Some of the most sought after and valuable saltwater pearls are the Akoya Japanese pearls and the Tahitian pearls.

Pearl Engagement Ring Costs

While pearls are less expensive than diamonds because cultured pearls are of similar quality to natural gems, pearl engagement rings can actually be more expensive than a traditional diamond ring. A pearl ring can be more difficult to set than a more durable mineral gem, and many pearl rings also feature accent gemstones, including diamonds. As with any piece of jewelry, however, the final cost is determined by many factors, including the quality of the gem, the design of the setting, value of the metal, and any other desired customization.

Many brides wear pearls on their wedding day, and a pearl ring is an elegant nod to that tradition as well as a unique choice for an engagement ring. Whether cultured or natural, simple or enhanced, a pearl engagement ring is a simple and elegant symbol of a couple's enduring love.