Freshwater pearls are harvested during the calm spring and autumn seasons. The environment plays a crucial role in their development, requiring stable conditions. The harvesting process involves selecting mussels, grafting them without beads, and nurturing them in calm waters. Modern techniques allow pearls to cultivate for up to five years, producing larger and higher-quality pearls.
Pearl farming is a meticulous process where oysters are nucleated and cared for over 2-5 years. Factors like disease, pollution, and temperature can affect their growth. Modern methods involve breeding oysters, nurturing them, and undergoing a nucleation process. After pearls develop, they are harvested, cleaned, and categorized.
Pearl value is determined by factors like luster, size, shape, color, surface quality, and nacre quality. Luster, the shine and inner glow of the pearl, is paramount. The rarity of perfectly round and pure white pearls makes them highly valued. The thickness of a pearl’s nacre also influences its luster and value.
Luster defines a pearl’s brilliance and inner glow. Freshwater pearls, though not the most lustrous, have a unique charm due to their rich orient, an optical effect giving them a rainbow-like shimmer. The amount of nacre, or “mother of pearl,” influences this luster.
The surface quality of pearls, indicating how “clean” they appear, affects their value. Blemishes like cracks, spots, and wrinkles can be present. Non-damaging blemishes don’t affect the pearl’s longevity, but the fewer the imperfections, the higher the value.
Freshwater pearls can vary in color, from cream and white to pastel purple. Their color depends on factors like mollusk genetics, diet, and environment. Some pearls are treated to achieve specific colors, but this can reduce their value.
Freshwater pearls typically range from 7.0 to 8.0 millimeters, but can vary from 4.0 to 12.0 millimeters. The size affects the pearl’s value, with larger pearls generally being more valuable. However, size is just one of many factors influencing a pearl’s worth.
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