Pearls

Using the term “pearl” we mean not only its wide determining meaning (something shiny and extraordinary beautiful), but the formation born by the pearl oyster. Here we must specify that not every pearl can be proudly called a precious stone. Most Mollusca (mussels, sea helix) form pearls as a result of a defensive reaction of the organism against a foreign substance fallen into their pallia. For example the black mussels in the Black Sea also form pearl bodies which, of course, are far from being valuable in jewellery. For thousands of years man have been using the pearl only as a precious stone.

A symbol of purity and beauty, pearls have inspired many myths and legends trying to explain their origin. The legends relate to the role of the sea, the rain, the tears of princesses and mermaids, the dew, the moonlight, and other words everything that symbolizes purity and perfection. These serve to magnify people’s fondness for the precious pearl extolling it as pure enigma and cool beauty.

Pearl are the only precious stones used in jewellery in their natural shape. No additional human intervention could make their shape more perfect than nature has created them. Exceptionally beautiful and unique , big pearls are even more rarely found that big diamonds. Due to the overall water pollution, exhaustion of world supplies of pearl oysters and the extremely high price of quality native pearls, nowadays they have been completely replaced by cultivated pearls. It is enough to mention that in the past for the finding of only one natural pearl thousands of pearl oysters had to be opened. This prompted people to make attempts to encourage this natural process. Only in the early XX century the Japanese K. Mikimoto, known as “the King of pearls”, succeeded in his endeavours. The technology is complicated and it is constantly improved, the principle, however, has remained unchanged - cultivated pearls are a natural product where human intervention comes to replace the fortuitous character of nature. Bringing up a high-quality cultivated pearl is an arduous process. Only one out of for them. Delicate and sensitive to the climatic conditions, pearls can only be cultivated in their natural areas of inhabitance - it is then little wonder that the quality production is so highly valued. As little as 40 per cent of the mature pearls come up to meet the necessary quality criteria. The rest, according to the rules, are rejected. Unfortunately, the market is flooded by unregulated jewellery productions. Only the following pearl cultures - Biwa, Akoya, South sea, Tahiti have earned international recognition due to their high value.

The attractiveness of pearls is due to the unusual structure of the pearl body. The beautiful pearl brilliance, coming from within comes when the light is reflected by the fine texture - a combination of the complex organic substance cochiolin, crystals of the mineral aragonyth and water. The exceptionality beauty of this nature creation is beyond any imitation. Wide spread are glass or plastic globules whose outside or onside is covered with a special paint imitating the pearl effect. Other imitations use alabaster, opal glass or pieces of the mineral mother-of-pearl. Such or similar methods are used in popular imitations - Maiorca, Mikomo, Tokara etc.

Companies trading with cultivated pearls make the selection of the pearls, as well. After the rejected pearls are separated, the complicated process of sorting by diameter, shape and quality begins. Appraisal is dominated by their brilliance, regular shape, absence or presence of flaws. The good classification is important element of pearl production and constitutes as much as 20 per cent of the price of the jewellery price.

The trade mark TSUKI NO NAMIDA (moon tear) refers to jewellery of high quality cultivated natural pearls. Each product labelled NAMIDA is accompanied by a certificate that guarantees its authenticity and verifies that it belongs to one of the following sorts - Biwa, Akoya, South sea, Tahiti.

The beauty and longevity of pearls makes them a valuable piece or component of top-class jewellery. Their uniqueness perfectly complements women beauty.

Pearls will always attract the attention of women and to the women who wear pearls. Pearls are worth the cares for them, they should be protected from noxious substances, acids and dehydration.

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