DeNatale Blog

The pearl is a gem of beauty and elegance and is the only organically formed birthstone. When an irritant (such as a small parasite, pebble, or tiny fish) lodges in the flesh of a mollusk (oyster, clam, mussel), a protective substance called “nacre” is produced.  Over time layers of shimmering nacre coat the irritant creating a lustrous pearl.

Natural pearls are rare so a process to stimulate the production of nacre by placing an irritant (tiny shell or bead) in a mollusk gave birth to the cultured pearl industry.

Most of today’s saltwater pearls are harvested off the shores of Japan and Australia, while large quantities of cultured pearls come from China. Pearls come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors from pure white to pink, yellow, gray and black.

Ancient Greek civilization believed that pearls were hardened tears of joy that the goddess of love shook from her eyes as she was born from the sea. Pearls are a symbol of purity and are often given to celebrate a marriage or the birth of a child.

Have you seen the many different styles of freshwater pearls available from Honora? What’s your favorite color?