What is a genuine pearl?

This is a question that was sent to us. There are really only 2 kinds of pearls. Genuine pearls and imitation pearls.

Genuine pearls as a category or description are comprised of many sub descriptions. But they can be initially divided into two subcategories. Cultured and natural are the two basic categories of pearls.

Cultured pearls, today, are probably 99% of the pearls on the market today. These are genuine pearls. Cultured pearls today are a pearl that is still made by the mollusk, naturally. The initial stimulus to the pearl and the subsequent cultivation of the mollusk are aided by man. We have a lot more information on individual types of pearls in our articles on our site www.sunshinepearls.com. Cultured pearls today can be any kind of pearl. That is salt water, freshwater, and the snail side of the mollusk family. The snail side or univalve vs. bivalve is comprised of conchs and abalone. These are being cultured today on a limited scale, at least compared to all the bivalve mollusks which make up that 99% of all pearls on sale today.

Natural pearls are really not available to the average shopper today, unless she is buying antiques. Antiques, heirlooms, flea markets, and estate sales are the greatest source for natural pearls. I believe there are still some natural pearls being sold from the Arabian area; but, it is a very limited amount, if they are being sold. Probably the number one reason for the decline in natural pearls is the historical exploitation of the mollusk beds. People love pearls, and have decimated entire reefs and stream, to the point of eradicating complete species of mollusks in their quest to satisfy their appetite for this beautiful gem. Pollution is probably the next reason, and the third reason relates to cultured pearls. Natural pearls are a totally random happening, and so the odds of a mollusk producing a pearl could be as high as 15,000 to one, as in the odds of finding a Queen Conch pearl in the wild. Cultured pearls could be produced as high a ratio as 1:5, one mollusk producing five pearls. So economically, cultured pearls can be enjoyed by many more people today.

Imitation pearls as a set are comprised of everything from very well produced copies to very poor copies. It used to be that they were a really good way to have the look of true pearls, without the price tag. So the average wearer could enjoy the look of the real pearl, as long as they knew what they were buying and not paying for true pearls. See our article on imitation pearls. In this day an age, the person who wants the beauty of true pearl at affordable prices can do so without resorting to imitation pearls. Now on the market is a new fake, Misami "pearls".