| It is hard to believe that the rarity and the value | | | | used it will determine the type of pearl produced, |
| of the pearl have been recognized for many | | | | but, despite the type of pearl Oyster, that |
| centuries. The ancient Egyptians understood this | | | | spherical shape that is desired by pearl lovers can |
| value, therefore they used pearls in the making of | | | | be achieved via this method. |
| their own jewelry. Perhaps the ancient Egyptians | | | | Even an experienced jeweler is going to have |
| didn't understand the rarity of the pearl, but they | | | | difficulty telling the difference between an |
| obviously understood its beauty. | | | | authentic pearl and a cultured pearl. Chances are |
| We all know that pearls are a natural occurrence | | | | the jeweler will not know at all unless he can give |
| via the oyster and although there are | | | | the pearl an x-ray and you can rest assured that |
| approximately 8,000 species of oysters, only | | | | he is probably not going to have an x-ray |
| about 20 of those species can produce a pearl. | | | | machine in his store. Yet, if you're shopping for |
| Yet not all of the pearls that are produced contain | | | | pearls, you can most likely tell the difference in |
| the required spherical shape, so this explains why | | | | the pearls based on their prices. The size of the |
| pearls hold a very significant value and also | | | | pearl can make a difference, but if you compare |
| explains why one strand of pearls can cost you | | | | a natural pearl and a cultured pearl of the same |
| hundreds of dollars. | | | | size, you are going to see a huge price variation. |
| But what about those strands of pearls that | | | | So when shopping for pearls, you now know why |
| usually cost around $50? Those particular pearls | | | | some are affordable and some are not. If you |
| are called 'cultured pearls.' These cultured pearls | | | | want rare pearl jewelry, then perhaps you should |
| are synthetically produced and are the primary | | | | seek out a natural pearl, but if you just want a |
| method of production of today's pearl jewelry. | | | | pearl without the expense, maybe a cultured pearl |
| This method was actually discovered in the 1800's | | | | is the way to go. Just think of it, that in a way, |
| and involves the surgical implantation of a | | | | that no one will ever know the difference when |
| synthetic agent into an oyster that promotes | | | | looking at it and will believe your pearls to be as |
| pearl growth. Depending on the type of Oyster | | | | natural as you are. |