Pearl openings & pearl discovery

The art ofthe pearl reveal.

Discover what a pearl opening is, how pearls grow, and the beauty that makes each variety distinct.

Explore pearl collectionsWhat is a pearl opening?

A closer look at the pearl, from its first layers to the final reveal.

An editorial still life of pearls and an open shell
Discover the beauty within
Understand the opening Get to know the pearl Find your collection

A closer look

How a cultured pearl grows.

Human care starts the process. A living mollusk does the growing.

  1. Tissue, sometimes a bead

    A careful beginning

    A specialist introduces mantle tissue, sometimes with a bead, to start the process.

  2. Nacre builds up

    Layer upon layer

    The mollusk deposits nacre as the pearl grows.

  3. A cultured pearl

    Ready to reveal

    After a period of growth and care, the pearl is harvested.

A simplified illustration of pearl culturing; methods and growth periods vary.

Learn to look a little closer

The details that draw you in.

Four useful starting points for understanding a pearl's individual character.

Luster

Look for clear, bright reflections. Luster is the light that brings a pearl to life.

Surface

Small marks can occur. Their extent and placement matter when you look closely.

Shape

Round, drop and baroque shapes each have their own character. Notice what feels like you.

Size

Millimeters describe scale, not quality on their own. Picture how you will wear or use your pearl.

Keep exploring pearl quality

A few good questions

Curiosity, answered.

A little more detail before your first discovery.

Are cultured pearls real pearls?

Yes. Cultured pearls grow inside living mollusks with human involvement. Natural pearls form without that intervention. Imitation pearls are a different category.

Does opening a shell prove a pearl is natural?

No. Natural and cultured describe how a pearl formed, not how it is revealed. An opening alone does not establish the pearl's category or whether it has been treated.

Are all pearls perfectly round?

No. Pearls can be round, oval, drop-shaped or irregular. Baroque is the term for an irregular shape, and it can occur in different pearl categories.

Is a larger pearl always better?

Size is one characteristic. Luster, surface, shape, color and nacre also influence how a pearl looks. Consider the whole pearl and the way you want to use it.

Is every pearl opening the same kind of purchase?

No. An opening experience, loose pearls and finished jewelry are different offers. Read the item details to understand the options and what you will receive.