How Does a Clam Make a Pearl?
What Is a Pearl? A pearl is a small round natural gem formed when a grain of sand, foreign object or body get lodged in the flesh of a mollusk, irritating the flesh, which responds by coating the grain with many layers of protein and other compounds to protect itself. Best Pearl Producers Many types of mollusks can produce pearls in this manner, but the natural or cultured pearls we commonly see used in jewelry are grown in pearl oysters or mussels, not clams. While clams and other bivalves do form pearls, mollusks actually produce a protein called nacre, which has the smoothness and deep luminosity we equate with pearls. Other shellfish and bivalves don’t produce nacre with the same characteristics or quality. Where They Grow Natural and cultured pearls can be grown in and harvested from both salt and freshwater environments. There are specific pearl-bearing mollusks that thrive in each environment. As a general rule, freshwater pearls are smaller, less uniform in texture and symmetri
