(Care of Pearls)
Pearls are very soft and need special care. They should never be tossed on top of or next to other gems in a jewelry box. Store them in a jewelry pouch.  
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(Types of Pearl)
There are essentially three types of pearls: natural, cultured and imitation. A natural pearl (often called an Oriental pearl) forms when an irritant, such as a piece of sand, works its way into a particular species of oyster, mussel, or clam.
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(Pearl Sources)
Historically, the world's best pearls came from the Persian Gulf, especially around what is now Bahrain. The pearls of the Persian Gulf were naturally created, and collected by breath-hold divers. The secret to the special luster of Gulf pearls probably derived from the unique mixture of sweet and salt water around the island. 
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 Pearls are one of the most intriguing of all gems; however, they are also one of the most misunderstood. In an effort to answer your questions, we have put together this information page about pearl jewelry.

 What is a Cultured Pearl? 
Cultured Pearls result from a small irritant (usually a natural shell bead and/or piece of fleshy tissue) implanted into living oysters (Akoya and South Sea pearls) or mussels (Freshwater pearls). The oysters or mussels secrete a substance called "nacre" which bonds to the irritant. The resulting layers of nacre form the pearls.

 Are Cultured Pearls and simulated pearls the same thing? 
No. Cultured Pearls form over time inside the oyster or mussel in their natural environment. Simulated, imitation and "faux" pearls are man-made from a variety of products. 

 What makes some Cultured Pearls more expensive than others? 
Because Cultured Pearls are organic gemstones formed by nature, no two pearls are exactly alike.  A variety of factors go into determining the quality and price of pearl jewelry. Some characteristics that determine Cultured Pearl costs are: 

• Luster 
  Luster is the glow of the pearl and its brilliance to the human eye. The longer the pearl is left in the oyster to grow its nacre casing, the higher the luster. 
    
• Surface Condition 
  The fewer the natural markings or spots on the pearl's visible surface, the more expensive the pearl. 
           
• Shape
  The more spherical (rounder) and symmetrical the pearl the more valuable it will be.  Baroque pearls (any unusually shaped and asymmetrical pearl) can be very attractive and are usually less expensive than round pearls. 
         
• Color 
  Pearls are available in a rainbow of colors, for example, pinkish (often called rose or champagne), silvery white, greenish white, creamy, golden, gray, cognac and black. Color enhancement is considered the norm for both colored and white base pearls. Color consistency affects value; however, current fashion trends and color demand conditions also affect pearl prices. 
         
• Size 
  Pearl diameter is measured in millimeters. Generally, the larger the pearl, the more rare it is and the more valuable. 
         
• Matching
  For pearl necklaces the overall look is very important, regardless of the quality of the individual pearls. The more uniform and aesthetically pleasing two or more pearls look together the more time was spent matching the pearls. This time to match pearls is reflected in the cost. 
         
• Rarity 
  Because pearls are not cut or polished when removed from the oyster or mussel, certain sizes, qualities and colors may from time to time be in scarce supply. Overall health of pearl growing oysters and mussels affect pearl size and quality availability. 

 What's the difference between natural and cultured pearls? 
Natural pearls, just as the name implies, were formed when irritants entered the oyster by accident. This is a pretty rare occurrence and doesn't result in many jewelry quality pearls being available. 

A little more than 100 years ago a Japanese pearl farmer developed a process whereby a small piece of shell could be inserted into living Akoya oysters. These oysters were then put back into the water and the pearl forming process began. Today cultured pearls account for the majority of pearls used in jewelry