Natural vs. Cultured Pearls
Both natural and cultured pearls are formed as a result of very similar processes. When an irritant such as a parasite (natural) or mantle tissue/mother-of-pearl nucleus insert (man-made) becomes lodged or implanted within the tissue of a saltwater oyster or freshwater mollusk, a natural substance known as nacre is secreted to soothe the irritant. It is this gradual build up of nacre encapsulating the irritant that eventually takes shape as a natural or cultured pearl.
The primary difference between natural and cultured pearls is whether the irritant that causes the creation process is insterted naturally or by human hands. While natural pearls grow in a completely uncontrolled environment, cultured pearls are planned and nurtured by pearl farmers who carefully monitor the environment of the oysters and mollusks.
Cultured Akoya pearls were made famous by Kokichi Mikimoto and are primarily harvested off the coasts of Japan and China. While Japan still dominates the market for saltwater akoya pearls of 8.5mm in diameter and above, China now produces more than 80% of all Akoya below 8.5mm in diameter with quality that rivals Japan and at much lower prices.
Cultured black Tahitian Pearls are produced by the Òblack-lippedÓ oyster (pinctada maxima family) among the islands of French Polynesia. Because of the extremely large size of the black-lipped oyster (up to 1 ft. long), they produce some of the worldÕs largest pearls in primarily blackish body colors (charcoal/metallic/gray etc...) and are often accentuated with a beautiful array of colorful overtones.
Because pearl quality and frequency can be controlled and better predicted within the pearl culturing process, almost 100% of todayÕs pearl market consists of cultured pearls. While natural pearls are still reported to be harvested on a very limited basis within the Persian Gulf region, most natural pearl beds have long since been exhausted either through over-harvesting or destroyed by pollution. As a result, most existing natural pearls are typically only available at auctions or estate sales.
National Pearls pearl products consist of cultured pearls primarily harvested from dedicated pearl farmers in East and South East Asia.
