Pearls: A Timeless Treasure

When it comes to refined and elegant jewellery, nothing beats the classic beauty and sophistication of pearl jewellery. Over the centuries, pearls have been used in fine jewellery pieces as a symbol of luxury and beauty. Pearl jewellery has a long history, with the Ancient Greeks using pearls to represent love and purity, and in the Middle Ages, they were a popular choice for bridal jewellery.

Pearls are formed when a grain of sand or another irritant gets stuck in an oyster shell. The defence mechanism of the creature causes it to form layers of a substance called nacre around the grain, and over time a lustrous pearl is formed

These are the four main types of pearls:

1. Freshwater Pearls

Their colours include a breath-taking array of gentle and beautiful pastel colours like white, pink and peach.

2. Akoya Pearls – Saltwater pearls

The classic pearl, Akoya pearls, also known as "Saltwater" pearls, are a type of cultured pearl grown in saltwater. Akoya pearls are considered some of the finest and most valuable natural pearls in the world, and are considered an upgrade from freshwater pearls in terms of quality and roundness. They take longer than Freshwater pearls to develop – up to two years, making them more expensive and rarer. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colours, with the most popular being white, cream, pink and rose, and have a high sheen and lustre.

3. South Sea Pearls

South Sea Pearls are the largest and most valuable pearls in the world, and are usually more expensive than other pearls due to their rarity and beauty. There are two main types: White and Golden, with the Golden South Sea pearls considered the most valuable among all pearls. These pearls are known for their large size, beautiful lustre, and deep cream and gold colour, are said to be the most luxurious of all pearls and are highly sought after by jewellery collectors. South Sea Pearls are considered to be the highest quality pearls available and are used in jewellery such as pearl drop earrings, necklaces, and are also popular on engagement rings.

4. Tahitian Pearls

Tahitian pearls are called black or silver but actually come in a range of dark, natural colours like greens, blues and browns. They possess a dark and beautiful glow and are intensely attractive in jewellery. They’re much more valuable than Akoya Pearls, and since they are grown in the wild, each pearl is unique and truly one-of-a-kind. Because of the rarity and uniqueness of Tahitian pearls, they can be quite expensive. High quality pearls can cost thousands of dollars, depending on size and colour.

 Explore our beautiful and luminous collection of pearl jewellery here!