How Are Pearls Formed?

Most gemstones come out of the ground already formed. A pearl does not. It grows, inside a living oyster or mussel, starting from something as small as a grain of sand that got in where it should not have. That single accident sets off a defense reaction that, given a year or several, ends up looking like jewelry.

How is a Pearl Formed? Formation Process and Stages

The formation of a pearl encompasses a process that takes very long periods of time. The formation process of pearls, where nature displays all its splendor, occurs in the following stages:

Initiation

• A pearl is a precious stone formed in mollusks such as oysters and mussels. For the formation process to begin, it is necessary for a grain of sand, a parasite, or a similar foreign matter to enter the shell of the mollusk.

Formation Process

• The foreign matter entering the mollusk begins to irritate its soft tissues. As a result of this irritation, the defense mechanisms of the mollusk come into play. As a defense mechanism, the mollusk secretes a layer made of aragonite crystals, also known as "nacre."
  This layer made of aragonite crystals envelops the foreign matter inside the mollusk over time. As a result of this process, which sometimes continues for years, the pearl, which we use in jewelry today and where we can see the beauty of nature in the best way, emerges.
• Just as the formation of pearls is a laborious process, the more layers there are on a pearl, the more valuable it becomes. Pearls can emerge not only in the sea and ocean but also in freshwater bodies.

Each pearl, due to the uniqueness of its formation process, has its own color, size, and shape. While white is the first color that comes to mind when it comes to pearls, it is also possible to come across pearls in colors such as pink, cream, gold, and even black.

Pearls scratch more easily than harder stones, so they need a bit of care. Keep them away from chemicals, perfume and long stretches of direct sun, and the shine should last a lifetime. Our pearl necklaces and pearl earrings are handmade in our own atelier in Istanbul, if you would like to see the finished result for yourself.