More About Pearls
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SHAPES OF FRESHWATER PEARLS
Like saltwater pearls, freshwater pearls occur in a variety of beautiful shapes, including round, egg, oval, and button (a slightly flattened round, often used for earrings). Other shapes seen in freshwater pearls are keshi (freeform), baroque (asymmetrical), coin, and mabe. (Mabe pearls are grown against the side of the shell, either spontaneously or cultured there with a half-round nucleus. A mabe pearl is domed on one side, flat on the other.)
CARING FOR PEARLS
Pearls do like to be worn. They respond well to air and even to contact with the skin. Pearls are also among the most wearable of gems, as right with a t-shirt as they are with an evening gown. But in order for them to keep their beauty and luster for generations, proper care is essential. Here's a basic guide to treating your pearls well.
STORAGE: Between wearings, wrap your pearls loosely in a soft cloth (or slip them into a jewelry pouch) and store them away from sunlight or heat. The box in which you store them should be secure, but not airtight. As some museums have discovered the hard way, pearls can dry out-losing their luster and even cracking-if they are not exposed to air. Even safe-deposit boxes can often be too dry an environment for pearls.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE: Hairspray, perfume and other chemicals can damage nacre, so apply them prior to putting on your pearls. If possible, dab or spritz your perfume where the pearls will not rest against it. Perspiration can also dull pearls over time, so it's best not to wear them when you'll be exercising vigorously. And do not wear them while swimming, even in the ocean.
CLEANING: After each wearing, wipe your pearls with a soft cloth (slightly damp, if necessary) before putting them away. If they've gotten a little dingy, immersion in a bath of water and dissolved baking soda (one teaspoon of baking soda stirred into one cup of water), followed by a thorough rinsing in clear water will brighten them up. The moisture will also, temporarily, tighten the silk on which they are strung. Lay them flat to dry (do not hang them).
ORIGIN OF CULTURED FRESHWATER PEARLS
Contrary to popular belief, the method of culturing freshwater pearls did not originate with Mikimoto. The process was developed in Australia by William Sawville-Kent, then brought to Japan by Tokichi Nishikawa and Tatsuhei Mise. Nishikawa acquired the patent in 1916, and married the daughter of Mikimoto. Mikimoto used Nishikawa's technology to develop the freshwater cultured pearl industry on Lake Biwa. Ensuing pollution of Lake Biwa and other Japanese lakes resulted in most freshwater pearl farming moving to China. Japan shared its techniques with the Chinese, who have gone on to perfect the process. Today, almost all freshwater pearl farming takes place in China, where the largest and most lustrous freshwater pearls in history are produced.
METHOD OF FRESHWATER PEARL CULTURE
The freshwater pearl farmer inserts into a mussel a piece of tissue from another mussel and then waits for the creature to surround this nucleus with nacre. This process can take up to six months. The longer the farmer waits before harvesting the pearl, the larger the pearl becomes, although its ultimate size is restricted by the size of the host mollusk. Often, beads are inserted so that the resulting pearl will grow into the shape of the original bead.
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