Pearls are some of the most timeless, historically fascinating, and beautiful gems. Adorned by many for centuries, pearl jewellery is both elegant and interesting, providing wearers with unique pieces they will cherish for a lifetime.
At Banks Lyon, we have a wide selection of pearl jewellery available, offering our customers an extensive choice of styles. Today, we are putting the spotlight on our pearl jewellery, showcasing some of our favourite pieces. We will also look into the history of this gem and how it became such a popular choice for luxury accessories over time.
A Look into the History of Pearl Jewellery
Pearls have some of the most fascinating history of all the gemstones. The time of their discovery remains a mystery, as it dates back long before any written history was documented. There has been documentation of pearls in history, as far back as 2300 BC, when they were gifted to Chinese royalty. The earliest evidence of pearl jewellery dates back over 2000 years, as a small fragment of a jewellery piece was found in a Persian princess’ sarcophagus, which dates back to 420 BC.
Pearls are also the June birthstone. It is unclear what the origins of this are; however, some people believe that due to the long time it takes to make a pearl, it is a reflection of the patience those born in June are said to have.
Image: Yoko 18ct White Gold Pearl & 0.54ct Diamond Earrings
The Different Types of Pearls
Pearls come in many different shapes, sizes, and colours, making each one completely one-of-a-kind. One of the most desirable factors about pearls is that they are entirely unique, but this can make selecting your favourite rather challenging. Understanding the different types of pearls, how they are made, and what they look like helps you narrow down your options and select either a necklace, bracelet, earring, or other accessory a little easier. Here are some of the most popular types of pearls.
Akoya
Akoya pearls come from Akoya oysters, which are typically found in cold waters in Japan, Vietnam, Korea, and Australia. They are formed in the oyster when a shell and mantle tissue nucleate together as a bead, creating the perfectly round shape often associated with this pearl type. The oyster produces a secretion, which builds up around the bead and eventually
forms a pearl. Akoyas are typically at the smaller end of the spectrum, measuring between around 2-10mm in diameter. Because of their perfectly round shape, they are one of the most common choices for jewellery, providing flawless symmetry for every piece. In terms of colour, you would expect to see the natural white shades of a pearl in each Akoya.
Pictured right are the beautiful Yoko 18ct White Gold Akoya Pearl & 0.09t Diamond Stud Earrings, which you can purchase from Banks Lyon for £500.00 or £4.16 per month with 0% finance.
Freshwater
Freshwater pearls are typically formed in mussels and, as the name suggests, are grown in rivers and lakes, as opposed to the sea, mostly in China, Japan, and the USA. Unlike Akoya pearls, the freshwater variants do not occur naturally, and every freshwater pearl available has been cultured, usually as part of freshwater pearl farming. During this process, pieces of mantle tissue are implanted into each mussel, which then begins the nucleation process, just like Akoyas. It takes around two to seven years for a pearl to form this way, but the results are worth the wait. At one point, they were not very desirable compared with Akoyas because they are not perfectly round and usually have an uneven colouring. However, now people prefer the imperfections due to how unique and special each pearl is.
Pictured left are the beautiful 18ct Yellow Gold Freshwater Pearl And Diamond Earrings, which you can purchase from Banks Lyon for £765.00 or just £6.37 per month with 0% finance.
Pearl Earrings on Finance at Banks Lyon
We are proud to offer an extensive range of pearl jewellery, including a wide variety of earrings in many different shapes, designs, and sizes. Whether you are looking for something subtle and dainty or bold and glamorous, we are sure you can find something to suit your style with us. For example, pictured below are the YOKO 18ct White Gold Freshwater Pearl And Diamond Stud Earrings. These are contemporary and simple, with a slight touch of glamour in the form of a ring of round brilliant diamonds – a perfect choice for those wanting to take on the trend in a classic and understated way.
For those who want something a little more dramatic, we have the Yoko 18ct White Gold Pearl & 0.41ct Diamond Earrings below. Made from Japanese Akoya pearls, these earrings are intricate, dazzling, and perfect for adding a touch of excitement to your look.
As you will notice, many of our pearl pieces are part of our range of jewellery on finance with no deposit, meaning you can spread the cost of your earrings between six and sixty months and choose a flexible deposit amount. To discover your financing options, head over to the product page of your chosen pair of earrings or other accessories. Alternatively, the knowledgeable team at Banks Lyon are always more than happy to help. Get in touch with us online or visit our jewellery stores in Lancaster or Kendal.