Are South Sea pearls good quality?
Fine South Sea Pearls are the superlative pearls, the crème de la crème of pearls, the most coveted and sought-after of all cultivated pearls in the world. They are unique in that they exhibit very high levels of each of the value factors – size, shape, luster/nacre thickness, surface cleanliness and rarity.
Where are the best South Sea pearls from?
Where do they come from? The majority of white South Sea pearls are cultured along the northwest coast of Australia. Pearls of the golden variety are also produced primarily in the Philippines and Indonesia – two countries that are quickly becoming the leaders in the finest golden South Sea pearl production.
How can you tell real South Sea pearl?
How To Identify South Sea Pearls. The main identifier for South Sea pearls is their size. They are larger than any other pearls because they are grown in the largest genus of oyster, the Pinctada Maxima. Their size usually ranges from 8-20mm, although they can grow much larger if they are given more time.
What is nacre on a pearl?
Nacre (pearl layer) is the inner iridescent layer of molluscan shells, which is composed of alternating layers of aragonite platelet and organic materials film.
Is nacre the strongest?
Nacre, the rainbow-sheened material that lines the insides of mussel and other mollusk shells, is known as the toughest material on Earth. Now, a team of researchers led by the University of Michigan has revealed precisely how it works, in real time.
What is nacre quality?
Nacre is the substance from which pearls are made. Since nacre determines luster, nacre quality is a critical factor when determining a pearl’s value. Generally speaking, the thicker the nacre, the more valuable the pearl. Thick nacre not only looks better than thin, it also is much more durable.
Do South Sea pearls have flaws?
Damaging and Non-Damaging Blemishes It’s important to remember that some blemishes won’t detract from the beauty or value of a pearl, and this is particularly true with South Sea pearls. That’s because it takes these pearls 2 to 3 years to develop, and flawless or slightly flawed South Sea pearls are extremely rare.
What is nacre in a pearl?
What is the purpose of nacre?
The layers of nacre smooth the shell surface and help defend the soft tissues against parasites and damaging debris by entombing them in successive layers of nacre, forming either a blister pearl attached to the interior of the shell, or a free pearl within the mantle tissues.
What does nacre mean in pearls?
What is an all nacre pearl?
Nacre (/ˈneɪkər/ NAY-kər, also /ˈnækrə/ NAK-rə), also known as mother of pearl, is an organic–inorganic composite material produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer; it is also the material of which pearls are composed. It is strong, resilient, and iridescent.
What is the best grade of South Sea pearl?
South Sea pearls are famous for their high gloss luster. We have four grades of pearl luster: Very High (AAA), High (AA), Medium (A) and Soft (B). This is the quality of the light reflections from the pearl’s surface. Pearls are said to have high, or very high, luster when the reflections are bright and sharp.
Why is nacre called mother of pearl?
The shells, with their nacre lining, are the ‘mother’ from which pearls are ‘born. ‘ Many believe Mother of Pearl to have a protective nature for the person wearing it. Much like it protects the sea creature from harmful substances or organisms in sea water, it’s said to help protect the wearer from harm.
Which pearls have the thickest nacre?
White and Golden South Sea pearls are known to have the thickest nacre layers of all cultured saltwater pearl types, averaging between 2.0-4.0mm thick, or more.
How do you test a nacre pearl?
Sometimes you can know the nacre by looking at the pearls to determine if it’s thin or very thin. The pearls usually have a low or very low luster and may look milky. Some thin-coated pearls, however, may show a decent medium luster. The nacre coating has cracks.
Is nacre a gemstone?
Appearance. Nacres are among the tallest single gem types, slightly larger than Kyanites.