Pearls

Natural pearls were so rare and expensive that they were reserved almost exclusively for the nobility and very rich.  Romans and Egyptians prized Pearls over all other gem stones.  Natural Pearls are even rarer today but the creation of cultured pearls in the early 1900s at last enabled the beauty of Pearls to be enjoyed by everyone.

Cultured Pearls are in essence natural in their creation. Shell beads are introduced to an Oyster and even though they are encouraged by man, they are still created with the same vibrant and lustrous surface as 'natuarl' pearls. The only difference is the size of the Pearl's nucleus.

Pearls of different sizes and colours are cultivated all over the world in Tahiti, Japan and the South Pacific, while Freshwater Pearls are cultivated in the freshwater mussels of China.

The light-refractive quality of a Pearl, or its orient is used to judge its quality. Fine quality pearls have flawless surfaces, while shape, size and colour are also taken into account where value is concerned.

For more information please e-mail personalshopper@bankslyon.co.uk