The Symbolism of Pearls:

InChina, pearls symbolize "genius in obscurity", or in our words, a diamond in the rough. This metaphor is illustrated by the beautiful pearl hidden inside the unattractive oyster. Because of its pale, shimmering hue, the pearl has lunar, and therefore feminine, associations. Pearls also symbolize patience, purity and peace.

Cultured Pearls:

A cultured pearl is not an artificial or synthetic pearl. It is still produced by a pearl oyster or mollusk and by normal processes of pearl growth. The only difference between the natural pearl and the cultured variety is that the nucleus has been inserted into the oyster to enable the pearl to have a good start. It ensures a larger and more evenly shaped pearl and is produced in a shorter period of time. Natural pearls (see below) are extremely rare and expensive.

Natural Pearls:

Pearls that were taken from the waters in ancient times were natural. Today they are very rare and extremely expensive. If a pearl vendor tells you it's natural, she probably means cultivated. If it really is natural, it's probably not going to be in one ofChina's wholesale pearl markets.

Imitation Pearls:

Imitation pearls are made from glass, plastic or shell beads which are then coated. They are usually obvious in their extremely uniform shape and color. Pearl vendors are more than happy to prove to you that their pearls are real by using a scraping test. See "Avoiding Fakes" below.

Pearl Value:

A number of factors determine the value of a pearl.

Size: The larger the pearl, the rarer and more valuable it is.

Shape: A critical factor, the most expensive being the perfect sphere (more common in sea water pearls).

Luster:This is the glow on the surface, not to be confused with the slightly iridescent colors that seem to be under the skin of the pearl.

Skin:The fewer blemishes, the higher the quality.

Matching:This is obviously important when determining the quality of a whole strand.

Colors:

Fresh water pearls naturally occur in white, ivory, pink, peach and coral. You'll find an amazing range of colors in the markets from silvers and dark grays, electric blues and greens, fiery oranges and yellows, and neon purples and lavenders. Most of these colors are achieved using a special laser-dye process common to mainlandChinaandHong Kong.

Avoiding Fakes:

Telling the difference between imitation pearls and the real ones is quite simple: the tooth test! When you rub a real pearl - natural or cultured - across your teeth, the pearl will feel slightly gritty. Do the same with a fake and it's likely to feel smooth and slippery.

If you're still having trouble deciding whether it's real or fake, ask the vendor to scrape the pearl with a knife. Powder will result in scraping a real pearl while a white plastic bead will be revealed from a fake pearl.