What is the difference between natural and cultured pearls?
A pearl is formed when an irritant, such as sand or a parasite, becomes lodged in the shell of an oyster. The oyster deposits layers of a semi-translucent crystalline material called “nacre” around the intruder, where it builds up in layers like the rings of a tree. This process of building up can continue for years, resulting in a pearl. In nature, pearls take many years to develop and often have irregular shapes. In any shape, natural pearls are rare and very costly. Cultured pearls are formed when an artificial irritant, like a round bead, is introduced into an oyster’s body.
