Pearls
The first human record describing a natural pearl dates back over 4,400 years. Today pearls are cultured in saltwater oysters and in freshwater mussels, a process that may take months to several years for the pearl to form.
A pearl is an organic gem famed for its lustre, which describes the quantity and quality of light that is reflected from its surface. Other qualities of a pearl include its body colour, surface quality, size and shape.
The four major types of cultured pearls are Akoya, Freshwater, South Sea and Tahitian pearls. Although the iconic pearl is white and perfectly round, this unique gem also comes in a wide palette of beautiful colours and shapes. The pearl is the birthstone for June and celebrates 30th wedding anniversaries.
