Cultured pearls: varieties and growing process

Pearls are one of the most beautiful animal minerals. Gift of the sea, which is mined and used since ancient times. At all times, pearls were considered the personification of purity and beauty. Jewelery made with pearls makes the image feminine and tender.

In the 13th century, technologies appeared in China that made it easier to mine the gemstone. Initially, it consisted of hooking clay balls, bone fragments and even miniature Buddha figures to the mollusk. But this method gave small and uneven pearls. Nevertheless, until the XVII century, China remained the only country cultivating pearls. In the same century in Japan began to grow the mineral according to Chinese technology.

Because of the differences in the starting material, the pearls turned out to be rather large and even. Later, in the 20th century, pearl cultivation technology took shape completely.

We will understand in more detail what cultured pearls are. The process of cultivation itself involves the creation of the necessary conditions for the shells and the artificial stimulation of the mollusk. To obtain certain types of gemstone, experts resort to such tricks as staining an already finished product, as well as fixing the stimulus in the sink in a special way to obtain the desired shape pearls.

Currently, the production of real pearls is not conducted. In the last century, its prey was banned as part of the program for preserving the population of mollusks (since when the shell is opened for inspection, the mollusk dies).

Between the pearls of "spontaneous" origin and education grown on the farm, there are only two differences.

1. In purposeful production of pearls, the process of “foreign body” entering the shell is controlled by a person. In nature, this process is random.
2. Pearls, grown under the supervision of a person, have the correct form and a flat surface. Of course, if these qualities are not a feature of a particular type of mineral.

And also there are some chemical and physical differences between the two types of gems.

1. Stone grown on a farm, when worn, acquires a temperature close to that of a human body. But absolutely natural stone will remain cold.
2. Cultured pearls have a higher density than that produced in the sea.
3. The cut of sea pearls has a silky appearance, and the cut of a cultured gem will depend on the nature of the core.

The value of pearls has always attracted the attention of fraudsters. And with the spread of cultured beads, they began to be faked. But there are a number of signs that will reveal a fake.

1. With real stones, the surface is never perfectly smooth and even.
2. Indicator of elasticity: if a fake is “dropped” from a small height onto a hard surface, then it will simply roll, while the original “jumps”.
3. On the Mohs scale, pearls have a density of 3-4 points. This means that it is not easy to scratch.If this happens, then the scratches go to the layer of nacre. If you scratch a fake, then only the top layer of paint will be damaged.
4. Natural pearls are very difficult to color. The technology, which involves the coloring of beads, is based on the principle of coloring all the layers of nacre. When exposed to such a warm bead, the color will not change. But the fake will change its color.

How to distinguish between natural and synthetic pearls, see the following video.

The formation of a pearl is a reaction of the mollusk to an external irritant that is located between the mantle and the shell of the shell or directly in the mantle (fold of the body wall of the mollusk).

The outer layers of the shell are formed from minerals that are released by the outer part of the mantle. She also produces nacre that covers the inner part of the shell. This feature is used in the formation of pearls.

If the stimulus is completely immersed in the mantle, the so-called pearl bag is formed, in which the mollusk gradually envelops the stimulus. This is how spherical beads are made. If the stimulus does not sink into the mantle, but is fixed on the inner layer of nacre, then the mollusk begins to process only the part accessible to it.

There are several technologies for introducing a stimulus into the shell without damaging the clam.

1. Linnaeus technology. He made a small hole in the sink through which he placed a small limestone ball. He did it with silver wire.
2. Another option suggests creating a thin gap between the shell flaps. This is done with special forceps.

You can classify pearl production:

1. by technology;
2. on the composition of water.

Different nuclear and nuclear technology.

With this technology, a piece of nacre or the outer shell of the shell itself is used as an irritant. In this case, the bead is obtained completely organic origin. This technology adheres to the majority of breeders.

According to this technology, a small ball is used as an irritant. Based on the fact that such jewelry is not completely natural origin, their price is much lower.

The composition of the water emit freshwater and sea.

Each of these methods has its own advantages. Shellfish that live in marine waters can produce only one bead in several years, while most freshwater can create several beads.

There is a difference in the size of the beads: due to the fact that only one stimulus is found in marine mussels, their pearls are much larger than those produced by freshwater mussels. Jewelry with a marine origin can reach 20 mm, while the average value for freshwater jewelry is 5-12 mm.

Despite the fact that the cultivation of pearls at home - hard work, in Japan, this hobby has become popular. They even sell special kits with oyster oysters, a special aquarium and food. For home breeding is recommended to take unpretentious in the care of mussels. Such types of pearls as Kasumi and Mabe are very common for breeding. They owe their popularity to relatively quick results.

To select the type of oysters for breeding, you need to familiarize yourself with several indicators:

1. how much space is needed for one oyster;
2. what are the permissible indicators of impurities in water;
3. when and how to feed the mollusk;
4. at what age can an irritant be introduced;
5. how much time a pearl is formed.

Considering the percentage of shellfish death after the stimulation is shared, and the low probability of even one pearl being formed, to get at least two or three beads, you will need to purchase at least two or three dozen oysters. To place them will require an aquarium of 100-150 liters. In order for the mollusk not to die, it will be necessary to regularly measure the temperature of water, amounts of salt and impurities.

The permissible indicators of impurities in water depend on the type of mollusks (river or sea). Depending on where, in what conditions and how old oysters are grown, impurities are removed or added from the water. For advice on this issue should consult a specialist - biologist.

Shellfish feed on organic sediments, algae, and small organisms. On farms that break open water, there is a whole technology for balanced feeding of mollusks. If at home cultivation there is an opportunity to place an oyster in a marine lagoon of natural origin, then this will greatly facilitate the feeding process of the mollusk. Food for home breeding can be bought on specialized farms.

The introduction of a stimulus is also an individual indicator. The readiness of the mollusk to a foreign body is determined by its age, the type to which it belongs, and the conditions of detention.

There is no specific time limit when the pearls will be formed. Different types of mollusks require a different amount of time. The fastest jewel formation time is 2-3 years. The longest formed form of black pearls is 9 years. A small pearl of domestic origin will be formed from 1.5 to 4 years.

There are several features that affect the performance of farmers:

1. mollusk death causes a sharp drop in temperature;
2. when a stimulus is raised, 10–40% of all mollusks die;
3. the younger the mussel, the more actively the nacre layer will be formed;
4. There are three main indicators that govern the conditions of the content of mussels: water temperature, its chemical composition and acidity index.

A final jewel is classified according to two parameters:

• in form;
• by grade.

In form there are several varieties.

• Fig. An oblong-shaped jewel with a smooth, even surface. The central part is quite wide, and towards the ends the form smoothly narrows.
• Sphere. Pearls that look like a perfectly level sphere.
• Hemisphere. The jewels of this variety outwardly look like a sphere slightly flattened above and below. The same kind of pearls, for the production of which the Japanese researcher K. Mikimoto (a variety of Mabe) received permission.
• Baroque. Pearls having a spherical shape, but due to various asymmetrical protrusions are not classified either as a sphere or as a hemisphere.
• Semi baroque Jewelry also has a spherical shape. A distinctive feature are the projections in the form of strips.
• A tear. Pearl in the form of a drop or tear. Considered the most rare. They are often encrusted in tiaras and earrings.

What kind a jewel will acquire depends primarily on the type of pearl oyster used.

In the world there are more than 25 types of cultured pearls.Each plantation seeks to bring the unknown exclusive species to anyone. The most common varieties include several species.

• Perhaps the most famous variety is akoya (akoya). The name of this species comes from the name of the mollusk. It is produced on several islands in Japan, Vietnam and China. Despite the fact that this type of pearls are produced by three countries, only pearls grown in Japan are considered to be recognized classics. Pearls are distinguished by their perfect shape and brilliance. The diameter of a standard bead is 10 mm. Their color range varies from white, gold, cream to light green and light lavender.

• Souffle. This name is kind of received for the similarity with the eponymous French dessert. In the production of jewelry as the core of a special material that absorbs water. Externally, the jewelry of this type is very similar to raisins. Their color range varies from pink to purple.

• Pink Pearls These are extremely rare and expensive jewels. Their price is due to the fact that the bead cannot be mined without killing the mollusk. This makes the cultivation process unprofitable, and their natural extraction is prohibited. They look like small hot pink beads of irregular shape.

• Black Pearl. It is mined on the island of Tahiti and the Philippine Islands. In its production uses the largest bivalve mussels in the world. Usually the beads have any shade.

• Types of pearls of the South Seas. Under this name the territories of Oceania, Australia and the islands of the Indian Ocean are combined. Pearls can be of several varieties.

• Edison. It is produced in Japan and the United States. This is a freshwater freshwater pearl, which is characterized by large size, smooth surface, perfect spherical shape and bright color. In terms of its performance, it is no different from the sea.

• Mabe. Beads of this type have a hemispherical shape, because of which they are very popular among jewelers. It is mined in Japan and Southeast Asia.

• Biwa Beads of this type have an oblong shape. At length they reach 3-4 cm. This is a freshwater species of pearl, which they began to breed in Japan on the eponymous lake. Later its production was mastered in China and Mexico.

• Kasumi Like. Another species that has become widespread in Japan. This is a freshwater species, having the shape of an irregular sphere, having delicate shades. Due to the fact that the total volume of production of pearls is low, it is one of the most expensive.

Processing is necessary in order to give the pearl a presentable look before selling. It implies a number of effects on the material.

• Whitening The procedure is applied to give the beads a uniform color or to adjust the color in the direction of lighter tones.
• Coloring. This technology allows you to "finish" the color of the jewelry to the desired shade. It is considered harmless to the structure of the pearl.
• Filing or grinding. It is used when there is a need to make the surface of the jewel smooth. Before grinding was carried out with the help of diamond. Now use white coral powder or alabaster. Increasingly, direct intervention is being replaced by chemical treatment.
• Irradiation - the procedure for staining the pearl core. This is done with silver nitrate and ultraviolet irradiation.
• Polishing. It is used in cases where the pearl dims. Most often this occurs through direct interaction with the human body or from improper use.

When interfering with the pearl structure, it is impossible to predict the consequences. The result will depend on the conditions under which the particular jewel was grown.

Like any other jewelry, pearls require a separate attitude and good care. The product will retain its original appearance longer, if you follow a few rules.

• Do not use the cream before putting on the jewelry.When interacting with chemicals, the outer layer of the pearl can be damaged, and it will lose luster and brightness.
• Before you return the jewel after wearing it, you must wipe it with a dry soft cloth.
• Wrap the pearls in a soft cloth for storage.
• Storage room should not be too dry.