PEARLS
PEARLS: HOW ARE THEY MADE?
Glimmering pearls have fascinated us for centuries with their mysterious beauty. But where do these beautiful stones come from? Let's take a closer look at the fascinating way these natural pearl materials are formed in nature or with a helping hand from humans.
EXPLORE PEARLS BY PANDORA
Style a classic look. Take a look at our beautifully crafted collection of pearl jewellery.
Shop pearl jewelleryWHAT ARE PEARLS?
Natural pearls belong to a small group of precious, natural stones classified as organic gems, which have long captivated humans due to their iridescent qualities or classic beauty.
How to identify real pearls
With technology advancing each year, it can be difficult to tell whether jewellery is made from real freshwater pearls or fake man-made beads. Here's how to tell if freshwater pearls are real:
Temperature: Genuine pearls are instantly cool to the touch before they warm up to your skin. Fake pearls, on the other hand, tend to be room temperature or take a long time to warm up against your skin.
Uniqueness: Each genuine pearl is unique and will have its own indentations. A string of identical pearls is likely fake.
Colour: Genuine pearls have a depth of colour. Uniform colours indicate fake pearls.
Texture: Rub the pearls together gently. A gritty texture is a sign of genuine pearls.
PEARL TYPES AT PANDORA
Pandora natural pearl materials come from two sources – either mother of pearl or freshwater cultured pearls.
What is mother of pearl?
Mother of pearl, or nacre, is composed of calcium carbonate and is a protective layer created by the mollusc to defend itself from parasites. To form a pearl from this material, this layer is cut from the mollusc and may be bleached or dyed to achieve a uniform white or attractive colour. Natural mother of pearl has a platelet structure which reflects light waves and produces its famous iridescent sheen.
What are treated cultured freshwater pearls?
Freshwater cultured pearls are produced inside oysters or other molluscs. A skilled pearl technician starts the process by gently inserting an irritant inside the shell. The mollusc then starts to cover it with multiple layers of nacre – the same way it would if it came across an irritant naturally – until it's completely enclosed and creates a pearl.
What are lacquered pearls?
Made to resemble the naturally-occurring beauty of the natural pearl, a lacquered artificial pearl is a laboratory-made glass-ceramic with an innovative pearl-like coating. Their uniform size, shape and color make them ideal for all types of jewellery.
A WORD FROM OUR EXPERTS
Pearls and glamour go hand in hand. There's nothing like a pearl necklace or bracelet to make you feel instantly put-together – and the versatility of pearl jewellery means there's a way to style it for any occasion.
The most classic pearl color is white or ivory, but thanks to dyeing technology, we can wear pearls in an array of lustrous colors. Some pearls also display an iridescent color phenomenon.