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Cultured pearls are an essential part of every sophisticated woman's complete jewelry wardrobe and can be cherished for generations to come. In fashion, pearls offer many exciting accessorizing opportunities including pendant enhancers, pins, strand shorteners and interchangeable gemstone clasps.

Composition of cultured pearls
The iridescent layer inside some species of shells is called "Mother-of-Pearl". When these layers accumulate on the implanted nucleus (made from shell) it is called "nacre" (nayker). The finer, thicker and more uniform the nacre is, the more lustrous and blemish-free the pearl forms and, therefore it is more valuable and desirable.

The pearl culturing process
At an age of two three years (Japan) and four to five years (South Seas), the oyster is implanted with a round nucleus of mother-of-pearl that is inside for one to three years. After much tender-loving care, the oysters are harvested. Fine quality cultures pearls are extremely rare. Only 25% to 50% of the crop produces a pearl, and fewer than 5% are of export quality. Environmental factors such as pollution, natural predators and adverse weather over the considerable time it takes to raise oysters, seed them, and nurture the crop until harvest should give one as appreciation for man and mother nature working closely together to produce these wonders of the sea.