Absolutely not. Cultured pearls, like natural pearls, are grown within live oysters. Each begins when a skilled technician surgically implants a host oyster with a shell bead and piece of mantle tissue. To protect itself, the oyster secretes a crystalline substance, called “nacre,” over the irritant. Over time, the nacre layers build on one another, creating a surface that glows with a luster unique to true pearls. Artificial, or imitation, pearls, on the other hand, do not involve oysters in any way, but are manufactured from various chemicals and compounds. Even so, be aware that some imitation pearls are sold as “organic.” One popular technique for producing artificial pearls involves dipping a glass bead many times into a fish-scale-and-lacquer substance. While the shine of most artificial pearls is primarily surface reflection, a cultured pearl emanates a deep three-dimensional glow that appears to come from within the pearl itself.

Not so. Fashion magazines have recently featured cultured pearls as one of the top accessories complimenting today’s styles.

As we always claim, Fair Pearls offers the best and highest quality Pearl Jewelry at the most affordable prices in Indonesia, a country which is famous as №1 producer of South Sea Pearl in the world. The quality of our gems is comparable with any international standards of Pearl Jewelry Craft! That is why each pearl jewelry purchased from the Fair Pearls website is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

As well as ensuring the pearls origin, the Certificate is your warranty that the pearls you have purchased are Cultured Saltwater or Freshwater Pearls. We are offering such documents with absolute confidence since we ourselves grow, made, select, buy, and export our crafting materials from reliable sources directly.

The quality of our pearls is defined by three grades by the international standard: A, AA, and AAA, where AAA represents the best quality possible. We don’t use classifications like A, B, C, D, E, or AAAA, AAA+++, etc. They are not reliable at all. If in any case, the pearls mentioned in the bought certificate are not matching with what a Gem Testing Laboratory can testify to a buyer, we will refund to such buyer all paid money as fast as we can – in 14 days time maximum.

Please know, that we also provide a Warranty from the date of purchase against faulty workmanship. In such cases, we will replace any bought item no questions asked.
Damage through misuse/accidental damage/user error and the like and re-stringing is excluded from our warranty policy.

If required, we are happy to provide a professional re-stringing service ourselves.

This Warranty is conditional upon the owner/user following the “Pearl jewelry care and maintenance” advice supplied on our website. You can find such information in the FAQ section (https://fairpearls.com/faq/). Pearl Jewelry is inherently delicate and extra care must be taken.

Please remember, that Fair Pearls must be informed in writing (email preferred) of any claims/suspected faults/defects and the like as soon as such information became known. Tampering with third party repairs/adjustments without Fair Pearls prior approval automatically invalidates the warranty and our liability in the matter. Regularly stocked items can be returned at no extra cost. Customized items may not be returnable.

INTERNATIONAL RETURNS

If you are returning a product to us from outside the Indonesia, please note that we do not cover the cost of international returns. To ensure your product is returned in refundable condition use the same shipping box the product was delivered in or that the product is cushioned and firmly secured in a box. If you experience difficulties such as loss of product, contact the shipping carriers directly to file for lost products.

RETURNS STEPS

To return an item back to us, follow our simple process:

Send us an email our email . Please be sure to include your original order number. We will respond to your returns request via email within 7 business days.
Package Your Return. Include your order number, and all original packaging and any certificates of Authenticity.
Get a confirmation number on your shipping return so you can track its progress. We are not responsible for lost or damage of return shipments.

We must receive your returned items within 30 days of the original order date. We issue refunds in the form of payment used to make the original purchase.

Should you have any questions, feel free to contact our customer service team by e-mail. They will be happy to assist you.

WITHDRAWAL (REFUND)

Your return must meet all conditions below to be eligible for a full refund:

The Item has not been worn and does not show any signs of use including but not limited to scratches, dents, stains or any other flaws.
The original product seal is intact and has not been removed. (All non-engraved and engraved products are sent with a black string hang-tag attached to them. Please make sure that it has not been removed.)
Your return parcel includes all complementary items such as the original gift box, certificates and other promotional items.
The product has previously not been resized or modified.
The product is not a special order that has been designed and/or produced to customer specification.
The product has been returned to FairPearls.com within 60 days from the delivery of your order.

We will credit your original payment method, excluding delivery charges. Please note that it can take up to 10 working days for the funds to appear back in your account depending on your bank or card issuer. Shipping charges are non-refundable. All returns must include the billing name, address, and order number used when making the purchase and must be accompanied by a reason for the return. All returns must be in their original condition and packaging. If purchasing loose pearls and plan on returning them, please do not mount or string the pearls, as doing so will void the return policy.

Please review your return and information carefully; we will not be responsible for lost or misdirected or returns damaged due to poor return shipping package. If you paid via credit card, a credit will be issued upon the return of the product and will appear on your billing statement.

We are proud to offer international shipping services. However, there are some locations we are unable to ship to. If you happen to be from one of those countries we will contact you.

Shipping time varies by location. These are our estimates:

We strive to get orders to our customers as quickly as possible, and we will do whatever possible to ensure a safe, speedy delivery.

In stock jewelries will be sent out within 48 hours of payment received (orders can only be shipped out on week days Mon- Fri ). During busy times of the year, it may take an additional day or two for a product to ship.

Made to order products and custom orders require 7-15 days to make before shipping.

Also do not forget about Covid19. The virus could still impact the delivery time, even if not as heavy as it was during March, 2020.

You will receive an email with a tracking number once your order is shipped. Remember, that for some shipping companies, it takes 1-2 business days for the tracking information to update on the system. If your order was placed more than 5 business days ago and there is still no information on your tracking number, please contact us.

All orders can be cancelled until they are shipped. If your order has been paid and you need to make a change or cancel an order, you must contact us within 12 hours. Once the packaging and shipping process has started, it can no longer be cancelled.

FairPearls.com is focused on pleasing every customer, so we will attempt to notify you if there are any unforeseen delays with your order. Please note that we may elect to use a different shipping method if we feel it is a better fit or is necessary to ship your order properly. Also, we are not responsible for any custom fees once the items have shipped. By purchasing our products, you consent that one or more packages may be shipped to you and may get custom fees when they arrive to your country. If you have any other questions, please contact us and we will do our best to help you out.

Please know that Fair Pearls offers the best and highest quality Pearl Jewelry at the most affordable prices in Indonesia, a country which is famous as №1 producer of Gold and White South Sea Pearl in the world. The quality of our gems is comparable with any international standards of Pearl Jewelry Craft! That is why each pearl jewelry purchased from the Fair Pearls website is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. If you find that any of our pearls do not meet declared characteristics or its origin, you can always receive a full monetary compensation!

1) Saltwater pearls could be much less expensive than you expect

Fair Pearls could not sell Saltwater pearls by the price of Freshwater gems. But we still could save your money significantly.

Brands have premiums attached to them that can add as much as 300-400% to the price. FairPearls.com sources pearl from its own farm (please check our gallery for proof!) and without the costly overhead associated with big box store names. Do not forget, that we were born in Indonesia, and all our workers were born in Indonesia too. It means that the expenses on salary are not affecting our selling prices too.

If you buy a pearl jewelry from us, you will not be overcharged for the brand. There is no need to overpay for advertising campaigns, PR specialists, and a huge staff of employees of international scale corporations. What we are offering is local prices only.

Despite the fact that our announced prices for sea pearls are significantly lower than the market average, you should be aware that cultured Saltwater pearls are more expensive than cultured Freshwater pearls because the Saltwater oyster typically produces one pearl at a time. Freshwater mussels can produce up to 30 pearls at a time. It takes about two or three years to produce a thick layer of nacre on top of an average Saltwater pearl, although lower quality Freshwater pearls can be produced after 6 months only.

Also, you should now, that saltwater pearls have better luster and appearance making them highly desirable and more sought after. This greater demand for Saltwater pearls translates to higher prices for the consumer. Saltwater pearls used to be much larger than freshwater ones, due to their longer growth period.

Regarding shape, less than 5% of Freshwater pearls are perfect spheres, which is the desired shape for pearls. The rest are either oval, button-shaped, baroque or semi-baroque in shape. By contrast, Saltwater pearls are generally more spherical but can also be found in lumpy, baroque and other irregular shapes and sizes.

Most people prefer Saltwater pearls due to their higher luster and beauty, but if budget is a concern for you, opting for freshwater pearls is a sensible choice. You will still be able to get beautiful pearls at a lower cost by using Fair Pearls service. The main deciding factors will be budget, appearance and durability and you will have to find a compromise between these aspects that you are comfortable with.

Usually all metal metal parts of Fair Pearl jewelry are made from 22 karat Gold, 925 Sterling Silver or Rhodium. Let’s speak about precious metals little more

2) Gold. How we are making 22 karat Gold and why it is so good

Yellow gold jewelry is still the most popular color, but today gold is available in a diverse palette. The process of alloying—mixing other metals with pure 24 carat gold—gives malleable gold more durability, but can also be used to change its color. The purity of gold is categorized using the karat system. It measures the ratio of pure gold to other alloys in a piece of gold jewelry. The greater the amount of pure gold in a gold ring or other piece of jewelry, the higher the purity level.

Pure gold is 24 karat, meaning that 24 out of 24 parts of the metal are gold. Although the terms sound familiar, the karat (k) system used to measure the purity of gold is different from the carat (c) unit of mass that’s used to weigh diamonds. Depending on the ratio of pure gold to other alloys, the gold used in engagement rings and other jewelry is usually categorized as 10k, 14k, 18k, 22k and 24k. If pure gold, or 24k gold, is 100% pure, than 10k gold is only 41.7% pure. 14k gold, which is the most popular type of gold for jewelry, is about 58.3% pure.

Fair Pearls use mostly 22 karat yellow gold in making its jewelry. Gold, like pearls, is quite cheap in the production of jewelry by any local craftsman, since each of these materials are mined or farmed on the territory of the same island of Lombok. The same little island where Fair Pearls business is located since the beginning. Crafters of our company alloy the gold themselves. They start with “fine” or pure gold (0.9999) shot which is then heated to its melting point. At this purity gold is 24k. Exact proportions of fine silver and copper are then added to the molten pure gold, creating an alloy suitable for making jewelry. The final ratio is 22 parts pure gold to 2 parts fine silver and copper. After the gold, silver, and copper are blended an alloy of 22k gold is formed. It is cooled and formed into an ingot.

From this point the ingot is either rolled out in sheets, or pulled through a die to make wire. We are using a rolling mill and wire drawing mill during this phase; frequently annealing (heating the gold until it glows red, and returning the gold to room temperature slowly) to re-establish malleability after it’s been work-hardened and won’t reduce further without cracking and breaking.

22k yellow gold is distinguished by its rich color and develops a beautiful luster when worn. It is softer than metals often used in mass produced jewelry such as 18k gold, 14k gold and platinum. However, the inherent weight and density gained from being hand wrought gives 22k yellow gold jewelry more strength.

The tradition of using 22k yellow gold, and the methods Fair Pearle use to make its jewelry are centuries old. The same classical goldsmithing methods we employ have been used for 5000 years. It is very labor intensive and exacting, demanding patience and discipline. All our gold jewelry designs are made from the gold wire and sheet we produce in our working rooms. This method of hand fabrication is unlike techniques used in factory made jewelry, and is rarely found in jewelry making because of the time it takes to produce and the high cost of labor associated with production.

Most people aren’t allergic to 22kyg because it doesn’t contain nickel.

3) Our 925 Sterling Silver, how to distinguish a product made of real silver from a fake

Same as pure gold, pure silver is not really made up of only silver. It has 99.9% of silver, and a small content composed of other metals such as copper. Sterling Silver, on the other hand, consists of 92.5% silver, and the remaining part consists of copper – mostly copper. This is the reason why Sterling Silver is popularly referred to as 925 Sterling Silver or just 925 Silver. Because pure silver is much too soft to be used in jewelry, it is often combined with other metals to create a more durable metal. It is very difficult to make great designs with just pure silver, which is very soft and malleable. A bit of hardness has to be introduced, by adding other metals such as copper.

925 Sterling Silver jewelry certainly does not come cheap and because of that some jewelers are known to sell fake sterling silver necklaces, rings, earrings and so on. For instance, it is common to come across silver plated jewelries that are sold as real sterling silver jewelries. That is why, knowing how to identify real 925 sterling silver from the fake ones will be of a great help to you and save you from much pain later.

The techniques described here by Fair Pearls professionals will help you do just that – to identify real sterling silver jewelry from the fake ones:

• Rub the jewelry using a soft white cloth. If you find any black marks on the cloth, then you can be sure that it is made of real sterling silver. This is because any air exposure causes real sterling silver to oxidize. This causes them to deteriorate with time, and the reason why black marks are found on the cloth they are polished with.
• Do The Nitric Acid Test. When drops of nitric acid are added to fake non-silver jewelries, they cause them to lose their color. Always ask a jeweler before buying 925 sterling silver from him if you can conduct the nitric acid test on it. Nitric acid has no effect on real 925 sterling silver, so if the jeweler is selling you a genuine product, he won’t have any objection to that. But be sure to wear gloves and protect your eyes with goggles while doing the nitric acid test. If the jewelry is made of real sterling silver, the part on which you drop the nitric acid will appear creamy in color, otherwise, if fake, it will appear green.
• Use the Smell Test. Real sterling silver shouldn’t smell. If it does, it is because there is too much copper in it.
• Use the Magnet Test. This is a simple test. Magnets have no effect on silver – just as they have no effect on gold or platinum. But if you find that the jewelry is attracted to the magnet, then it will be clear to you that it is not made of real sterling silver.
• Real sterling silver jewelry will have markings such as “Ster,” “925” or “Sterling Silver” in a hidden area. If you don’t see such a marking, be wary of it immediately.

4) Rhodium, the most expensive precious metal out there

Rhodium is a silvery-white, hard, and corrosion-resistant metal. It is very shiny and reflects up to 80 percent of light. Rhodium gives off one of the best sheens achievable, making it a very popular metal for jewelry. It is very rare as it is never found as a single mineral. Rather, it is cultivated in very small quantities within nickel and platinum ores. The production rate of the metal globally is roughly 30 tons yearly, which is actually very small compared to other metals. Copper, for example, is produced at a rate of 20 million metric tons per year. Aluminum comes in at 63 million metric tons. Combine this scarcity with the huge demand for rhodium and its high-shine appearance, and you can see why rhodium is the world’s most expensive precious metal. In fact, it beats out both gold and silver by a huge margin.

Rhodium has been used as a coating for jewelry and silverware since the 1930s. Like all metals, rhodium presents both advantages and disadvantages. One of the biggest pros of plating jewelry and other items with rhodium is the incredible luster that the metal imparts. Rhodium can create stunning pieces of jewelry. Of course, you will have to balance this remarkable sheen with the high price of the rhodium. Remember, though, that while the jewelry may seem very costly in the moment, you’ll be making a valuable investment that could serve you well later.

Another thing that you should note about rhodium plating is that since it is a coating on the surface of an object, it can wear off over time. This means that you should avoid washing or rubbing the exposed surface to lengthen the life of the jewelry. Remove your rhodium jewelry when going for a swim, as the chlorine in the water can heavily damage the plating. Your care will have a significant bearing on the integrity of your jewelry.

If you are considering rhodium-plated jewelry, weigh the pros and cons, and take your budget into account. If you have the funds for rhodium and take good care of your items, they can last you years into the future, make a stunning statement, and prove to be a valuable investment.

All FairPearls.com jewelry is hand crafted by the talented jewelers. In making our jewelry for you we often have to select pearls and insure they are the best fit, color and luster they can be for the given piece. In order to do this we reserve the right to a 3% variation in the pearl size specified online. For example, a 14.5mm pearl earring pair could be 14.065mm. In making necklaces longer than shown (as their default) by adding inches as a customization we often have to select additional matching pearls and insure they are the best fit, color and luster they can be. In order to do this we reserve the right to a 5% variation in the size specified online for the additional pearls to insure a proper match.

You can read more about pearl jewelry here.

The most of our pearl stock we are getting from Indonesian farm with which we connected very closely. Such farm produce South Sea Pearls of course and in big numbers. Pearls have different colors from moon-white till vintage gold. Soon, after browsing through dozens of photos you can better understand what our main resources looks like. Just click this link…

Luster – this makes or breaks pearls as a gemstone. Luster describes the way light reflects off the pearl surface (Sharp and Highly Reflective or Soft and Blurry). The sharper the Luster, the more valuable the pearl.
Surface Quality – pearls with smooth, clean surfaces are more highly valued than those with multiple inclusions.
The symmetry of Shape – truly round pearls are the rarest shape of all, and the most valued. After that, we look for perfectly symmetrical semi-baroque shapes like tear-drops and ovals, then circled baroques and finally, free form baroques which are totally asymmetrical.
Color – pearls come in every color of the rainbow (literally!). This value factor is weighted according to whether the color is naturally-occurring, the depth and saturation of the color, and the rarity of the color.
Size – large, perfectly symmetrical pearls are RARE, taking many years to form inside the oyster. If all other value factors are equal, the larger pearls will be the more valuable ones.
Origin – The value of cultured (farmed) pearls that dominate the industry today vary by pearl type: Freshwater (least expensive), saltwater Akoya (mid-range), black Tahitian (mid to high-range pricing), and South Sea (highest). We also factor in whether the pearl is cultured or natural/wild. Natural pearls – pearls that are formed without any human assistance – are extremely rare and command premium pricing.
Matching – The meticulous matching of a fine pearl necklace layout can take many years depending on the pearl type. You’re looking for a steady, smooth graduation rate from smallest to largest pearls in the center, with little to no variation from pearl to pearl in terms of Luster, Shape, Color, Overtone, and Surface Quality (Multi-Color strands are given a tad more leeway but still must have an overall well-matched “tone”).

To this date, there’s still no set, internationally agreed-upon grading scale for pearls. That means that pearl grading is subjective, depending on the seller you’re dealing with.FairPearls.com uses the A-AAA Grading Scale, which is a simple and straight forward grading system based upon specific percentages for attributes like surface blemishing, luster rating (the sharpness of reflections), color/overtone and shape, among others.

AAA (Flawless): The highest-quality pearl, virtually flawless. The surface will have a very high luster, and at least 95% of the surface will be free from any type of defect. The pearl will be perfectly round and have a mirror-like luster, and a nacre thickness of 0.4mm or higher.
AA (Excellent): The surface will have a very high luster, and at least 75% of the surface will be free from any type of defect. The luster will be very high, and have a thick nacre, still a very nice quality but not quite as nice as AAA or higher.
A (Good): This is the basic jewelry-grade pearl, with a lower luster and/or less than 75% of the surface showing surface without any defects. In many cases, if the pearl is being mounted into a piece of jewelry, it can be mounted so that the defects are hidden – thus providing a lovely jewelry piece at a lesser price. This quality has a chalky appearance and thin nacre, typically of .25mm or less.

There are four major types of cultured pearls:

South Sea Cultured Pearls

Golden South Sea pearls are among the rarest and most valuable pearls in the world. Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines are leading sources of these saltwater cultured pearls. South Sea cultured pearls can be white to silver or golden, depending on the type of oyster. Their large size and thick nacre, due to a long growth period, plus their limited critical growing conditions are all factors contributing to their value.

This oyster is much larger than the oysters that produce Akoya and Freshwater pearls, so the pearl that it produces is much larger as well. Because of the rarity and sensitivity of this type of oyster, cultivation of these pearls is much more difficult, making them more expensive

Akoya Cultured Pearls

Akoya pearls are known for being perfectly round in shape, highly lustrous, with an almost metallic-like reflection. Akoya pearls feature a white body color, with subtle overtones of rose, silver, or cream. The main source for akoya pearls is Japan

They range in size from 3mm to 11mm, with most being around 7mm. You can find Akoya pearls in white, gray, green, pink, and blue (although rare). Most Akoya pearls are round.

Tahitian Cultured Pearls

Cultivated primarily around the islands of French Polynesia (the most familiar of these is Tahiti). These saltwater cultured pearls sometimes referred to as black pearls, have a wide color range. They might be gray, black, or brown, and they can have blue, green, purple, or pink overtones.

Tahitian Pearls are the only naturally occurring black pearls. You can find black cultured freshwater pearls but the color is not natural. If left in the sun for a long period of time, the color could fade. Real Cultured Tahitian Pearls will not fade and are becoming rarer as the higher temperature of the planet is negatively impacting their growth.

Freshwater Cultured Pearls

Freshwater cultured pearls are the most commonly produced pearls and they are one of the most popular pearl types among shoppers and jewelry designers. This is due to their remarkable range of sizes, shapes, and colors. They are usually cultured in freshwater lakes and ponds, often with many pearls grown in one oyster. China is the leading source of freshwater cultured pearls.

Freshwater pearls are usually less shiny than saltwater pearls because their nacre is thicker. In general, freshwater pearls are also less expensive than saltwater pearls because they’re cultured for a shorter time.

A Natural Pearl is formed when an irritant accidentally gets into the soft tissue of the mussel in an oyster. As a defense mechanism, the animal produces secretions to coat the irritant. Many layers of coating are deposited on the irritant making the irritant smooth. A natural pearl is thus born. This happens so rarely that, today, nearly all natural pearls one sees are in estate jewelry collections.

It may take over 100,000 oysters to get enough pearls to make a pearl necklace. Matching natural pearls to make a pearl strand is extremely difficult since they are never round or uniform in size and color. A well-matched natural pearl strand can be extremely pricey.

Cultured pearls, like natural pearls, are grown within live oysters. Each begins when a skilled technician surgically implants a host oyster with a shell bead and a piece of mantle tissue. To protect itself, the oyster secretes a crystalline substance, called “nacre,” over the irritant. Over time, the nacre layers build on one another, creating a surface that glows with a luster unique to true pearls.

There are three types of saltwater pearls: Tahitian pearls, South Sea pearls, and Akoya pearls. These pearls range in size from 2mm to 15mm diameter. They’re most often round and white, but can be black or pastel colors.

Real pearls are valuable because they display a natural beauty, whereas fake pearls (sometimes called “faux”, “costume” or “imitation” pearls) are worth little in value. They can be made of glass, plastic, or fish-scale imitations. Here are some tips on how to distinguish real pearls from fake pearls.

Real pearls have fingerprint-like surface ridges when viewed under magnification. Fake pearls have bubbles or mat patterns on the surface when viewed under magnification.
Real pearls have enriched body color and an overtone color. Fake pearls only have one body color. The color looks flat and lacks depth.
Real pearls are cold to touch. You don’t feel the coolness when touching fake pearls.
If you rub pearls across your teeth, real pearls feel gritty while fake pearls feel smooth.
Real pearls are heavy. Fake pearls are light in weight.
Real pearls show smoothness around drilled holes. Fake pearls show roughness or bumps around drilled holes.

Artificial, or imitation, pearls, on the other hand, do not involve oysters in any way but are manufactured from various chemicals and compounds. Even so, be aware that some imitation pearls are sold as “organic.” One popular technique for producing artificial pearls involves dipping a glass bead many times into a fish-scale-and-lacquer substance. While the shine of most artificial pearls is primarily surface reflection, a cultured pearl emanates a deep three-dimensional glow that appears to come from within the pearl itself.

The Oldest Gemstone In The World…

Diamonds may be forever, but pearls have been recognized as prized jewels for centuries longer than any cut stone. Almost all other gemstones are formed by mineral deposits that must be mined, cut, and polished to reveal their sparkling beauty. Pearls, on the other hand, are beautiful as they are – straight out of the mollusk. High-quality pearls have an intense, brilliant luster and shiny iridescence that emanates from within the gem. For these reasons, pearls have become a symbol of purity and natural beauty.

Gifts of Nature

Pearls are natural wonders that have been treasured for centuries by cultures ancient and modern around the world. Greek mythology proclaimed pearls to be tears of joy shed by the goddess Aphrodite. Ancient Egyptians associated pearls with Isis, the goddess of healing and life.

Pearls were Prized by Rulers and Royalty

Julius Caesar limited the wearing of pearl jewelry to the rulers of the Roman Empire during the first century B.C. In the glory days of the British Empire, only royalty were allowed to wear these lustrous gems. Until fairly recently, pearls were still worn exclusively by royalty and wealthy nobility, as they were far too expensive for anyone else to afford.

Noted in Legends and Literature

Tribal Indians, too, believed that pearls were tears of their gods. An Arab legend weaves a tale of dewdrops filled with moonlight that fell into the ocean and were swallowed by oysters, creating the precious pearls. The Gates of Heaven are made of pearl, according to the King James Bible. Pearls were rumored to cure hundreds of ailments. There are many more references to the pearl in works of great literature, and the lustrous jewels are often seen in famous paintings as jewelry, hair decorations, and clothing adornments.

Pearls have Always Been Valued and Cherished Throughout History

Pearls are one of our most ancient gem materials. They’ve been prized as jewelry for 6,000 years. Records of their commercial harvesting go back at least 2,500 years, and the cultivation of so-called “blister pearls” dates back to at least the 13th century CE in China.

According to some historical accounts, Native Americans accepted strings of beads in exchange for the island of Manhattan. A few centuries later, in 1916, renowned French jeweler Jacques Cartier acquired land there for his first American store. The price? A strand of natural pearls. This long and storied past only adds to the appeal of the incomparable pearl, cherished today as a traditional wedding gift, a birthstone, and in jewelry that reflects taste and refinement.

In ancient Roman times, pearls were a symbol of wealth and high status. This is why in 1BC, Roman ruler Julius Caesar created a law that prohibited anyone below the ruling class to wear the gems of the sea. But not the Roman emperor gave so much attention to pearls only. Here are some references to such gems in Koran, Bible, and other sacred books and stories:

According to legends, Adam and Eve cried deeply after God cast them out of the Garden of Eden. Their tears created a lake of pearls. It was believed that Eve’s tears created the white pearls, while Adam’s tears created the black pearls. Furthermore, it’s also said that Adam shed fewer tears than Eve did because men control their emotions better than women. Supposedly, this explains why black pearls are so rare.
According to The Koran, the pearl can be found in Paradise. It’s one of the greatest rewards there. This precious gem is also now symbolic of perfection.
Pearls symbolize purity to both Hindus and Christians. This is where the “brides wearing pearls on their wedding days” tradition is said to have started, which continues today.
Because they symbolize religious purity, pearls became sacred objects to Christians by the Middle Ages. During early times, Christians believed the pearls that covered the Holy Grail purified its water.
During Ancient Greek days, the myth was that pearls were the gods’ tears. It was also believed that if a woman wore pearls on her wedding day, it would stop her from crying.
Hindu folklore is a bit different. It describes the gems as drops of dew that dropped from the sky during the nigh ttime, into the moonlit ocean. Pearl’s meaning behind the story of Krishna, AKA Vishnu, is believed to be one of the earliest accounts of weddings and pearls. It’s said that Krishna pulled the very first pearl from the sea. He then presented it to Pandaia, his daughter, on the day of her wedding. His wedding gift was a symbol of purity, love, and union.
Ancient Polynesian myth – The god of fertility and peace, Oro, traveled on a rainbow to visit earth. He brought a magical oyster with him to the people of Polynesia called The Ufi. A gorgeous black pearl was formed inside The Ufi. When Oro said it, he gave it to Princess Bora Bora to symbolize his undying love.
Ancient Japanese Legend – During ancient times, the Japanese believed that the tears of mythical creatures created pearls. Some of these creatures include, but are not limited to, nymphs, mermaids, and angels.
Ancient Persian Legend – According to one Persian pearl myth, the gems were created after a storm. That’s when a rainbow came down from the sky and met with the earth. Lightning and thunder were said to be the reasons for the pearl’s imperfections.
Ancient Egyptian Legend – During ancient times, Egyptians were buried with their pearls after they died because they valued you them so much. The myth from this era that’s most famous involves Cleopatra, the famous ruler of Egypt. Legend has it that she took the gem from one of her pearl earrings. She then dissolved it and drank it! Supposedly, this was done to show Roman politician Mark Antony that the entire nation’s wealth could be devoured in one, single gulp.
Ancient Chinese Legend – Black pearls were very symbolic during early Chinese civilization. They were symbolic of wisdom. People believed the gems were formed inside the head of a dragon. Once they were fully grown, the dragon carried them between its teeth. According to the myth, a person could only gather the pearls by slaying the dragon to death.

The most widely held meaning among people today is pearls as a symbol of the purity and loyalty of its wearer. This is one reason why more and more brides are opting to wear pearls on their wedding day. Not only are the gemstones absolutely stunning, but their symbolic meaning makes them ideal for the event.

Pearls are the ultimate symbol of wisdom. Valued for their calming effects, pearls represent serenity, while being able to strengthen valuable relationships and convey a sense of safety. Pearls also symbolize purity, as well as integrity and loyalty.

Pearls represent wisdom gained through experience. The gems of the sea are believed to offer protection to the wearer, as well as attract good luck and wealth. Moreover, pearls speak of the wearer’s purity and integrity.

Pearls are often offered as a token of affection and love, as well as good luck. Moreover, various myths place pearls as the symbol of good fortune and wealth.

Pearls can keep their luster for a very long time when cared for. Proper pearl care is not difficult, as long as you remember that these gems are organic by nature, grown in water from living cells of a living creature.
The best way to help your pearls maintain their luster is to wear them regularly. Your body’s natural oils aid in maintaining the pearls’ beauty.
Pearls should be worn alone. If worn with other jewelry, such as a gold chain or other necklace, they may be scratched or damaged.
Apply any cosmetics, lotions, perfume, or hair spray before putting on your pearls. Make your pearls the last item you put on when getting dressed and the first item you take off.
Avoid contact with salt water, chlorinated water, or perspiration.
Wipe your pearls after wearing them, using a soft cloth.
Remove spills immediately when pearls come in contact with any foods or liquids. Wipe them with a soft damp cloth and then with a dry soft cloth.
Store your pearls separately from other jewelry, preferably in a cloth bag. Storing them in a slightly damp linen cloth will help the pearls from drying out in low humidity atmospheres and centrally heated areas.
Never clean your pearls with soap, detergents, or jewelry cleaner. A harsh cleanser can wear away the nacre.
Never use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaning machine or steam cleaner.
Have your pearls restrung every two to five years if worn regularly, or when the silk becomes dirty? Take your pearls to a professional jeweler for cleaning before restringing, which will add to the beauty and long life of your pearls.