All about pearls. Pearls are incredibly unusual. They are one of the few gems that can’t be faceted and require no polishing to reveal their natural shine.
The only stone created by a living organism, a single pearl can take between two to seven years to form within the mouth of an oyster. During this genesis, iridescent layers of calcium-rich nacre are stratified around a “seed” of sand, building to a final, silken shape. Unlike other precious stones, pearls emanate a living essence, attracting the eye and imagination closer with every shift of the light.
Freshwater pearls may be the most familiar. The nacre is characterized by a signature warmth – a mix of cream, pink and yellow highlighted by a very pale blue. Though freshwater pearls can be found in a range of colors and shapes, the most prized are the lustrous, pure white stones with a marble-like profile.
The opposite of their perfectly round kin, Baroque pearls are an oft-freshwater variety defined by atypical, captivating forms. Due to their irregular surface, these gems are particularly prismatic. Bold designers, such as Monies, love this type of pearl for its unique character and sculptural presence.
South Sea pearls are among the most exquisite in the world. Found only in the tropical white-lipped oyster, these pearls are much larger and rounder than their Akoya and Freshwater counterparts. When nestled against 22 or 24K gold, a subtle glow winks from beneath their unique satin finish.
Keshi pearls are the rarest type of Baroque pearls. Typically elongated and incredibly glossy, these gems have the same asymmetry of their larger Baroque cousins, but with a higher quality of finish. Named for the Japanese word for “poppy,” Keshis lack the center seed native to other pearl types, instead composed of only pure nacre.
