Find out what cultured pearls are. Read on to learn more about their creation, the difference between cultured and natural pearls, and the pros and cons of each type.
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Are Cultured Pearls Considered Fake Pearls?
Cultured pearls, also known as "cultivated" or "farmed" pearls, are real pearls that are formed in mollusks with the help of human intervention. Cultured pearls are created by human intervention. Cultured pearls are typically more uniform in size and shape than natural pearls and are often treated with chemicals to improve their luster. In addition, cultured pearls tend to be less expensive than natural pearls since they can be produced in larger quantities.
What are Cultured Pearls?
Cultured pearls are real pearls that are created with human intervention. Cultured pearls may be bead nucleated, tissue nucleated, or otherwise non-bead cultured.
After 6 months to a few years, the cultured pearl is harvested and made into jewelry. The majority of pearls on the market today are cultured pearls. Freshwater pearls are a type of cultured pearl that is cultivated in freshwater bodies of water, such as lakes and rivers. Freshwater pearls tend to be less expensive than saltwater pearls and are often used in costume jewelry.
What are Natural Pearls?
Natural pearls grow in the wild without human intervention. They are very rare, it is estimated only 1 out of every 10,000 oysters produces pearls, of which they are usually not jewelry grade.
What is the Difference Between a Cultured Pearl and a Natural Pearl?
Natural pearls form when an irritant enters the mollusk or oyster, causing it to respond to the irritant. On the other hand, cultured pearls are created when the irritant is purposely placed inside the oyster through human intervention. In terms of appearance, both types of pearls can vary in size, shape, and color. However, cultured pearls tend to be more uniform in size and shape, while natural pearls are more irregular, and round natural pearls are very rare to find.
In terms of color, natural pearls can come in a wide range of colors, while cultured pearls are typically white or cream-colored.
When it comes to price, natural pearls are more expensive than cultured pearls. This is because they are much rarer and harder to find. So, what is the difference between a natural pearl and a cultured pearl? Essentially, it boils down to how the pearl is formed. Natural pearls are formed by nature, while cultured pearls are created through human intervention.
Are Cultured Pearls Real?
Yes, cultured pearls are considered real pearls. In fact, most of the pearls available on the market today are cultured. Natural pearls are much rarer and, therefore, much more valuable.
Cultured pearls can be bead nucleated, tissue nucleated, or otherwise non-bead cultured. This irritates the oyster and causes it to produce a substance called nacre. Over time, the nacre builds up around the foreign object and forms a pearl.
While cultured pearls are not exactly natural, they are still real pearls. And many people prefer them because they are more affordable than natural pearls.
Pros and Cons of Cultured Pearls
If you’re trying to decide whether natural or cultured pearls are right for you, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of each type.
Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of natural pearls:
Pros:
-Natural pearls are very rare, which makes them valuable.
-They are available in various colors.-Natural pearls have unique shapes and sizes.
Cons:
-They are more expensive than cultured pearls.
-They are harder to find.
Now, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of cultured pearls:
Pros:
-Cultured pearls are less expensive than natural pearls.
-They are more uniform in size and shape.-They are available in a wide range of colors.
Cons:
-They are not as rare as natural pearls.
-They may not have the same unique shapes and sizes as natural pearls.