Understanding the terminology used in pearl jewellery is essential for anyone interested in this unique and elegant form of adornment. Whether you are a jewellery enthusiast, collector, or simply someone exploring the world of pearls, a solid grasp of these terms can enhance your appreciation for the craftsmanship, history, and beauty of pearl jewellery. This glossary provides clear, easy-to-understand definitions that cover the key terms related to the design, creation, and features of pearl jewellery.
Abalone
The shell of a marine snail is valued for its iridescent and unique blue-green colouring. Often used for decorative purposes in jewellery.
Akoya Pearls
Saltwater pearls from Japan, are renowned for their superior lustre. These were the first pearls to be successfully cultured.
Baroque Pearls
Irregularly shaped pearls with a non-uniform appearance. These unique pearls provide a raw, organic look to jewellery designs.
Black Pearls
Tahitian pearls that are black or very dark in colour with a high lustre. Extremely rare, they are often produced by black-lipped oysters.
Biwa Pearl
Freshwater pearls cultured in Lake Biwa, Japan, are now a rare commodity due to environmental challenges. Known for their elongated, stick-like shapes.
Coin Pearls
Flat, disc-shaped pearls that are popular for their modern and distinctive appearance.
Cultured Pearls
Pearls that are farmed by inserting a bead or tissue into a mollusc to stimulate pearl production, as opposed to naturally occurring pearls.
Edison Pearls
Large freshwater pearls are known for their metallic lustre and often near-perfect round shape.
Faux Pearls
Imitation pearls, typically made from glass or plastic, are designed to resemble natural pearls.
Freshwater Pearls
Cultured in freshwater environments like rivers and lakes, these pearls are generally more varied in shape and size compared to saltwater pearls.
Glass Pearls
Imitation pearls made from glass beads coated with pearlescent materials.
Hand Knotting
A stringing technique where each pearl in a necklace is separated by a knot, ensuring they do not rub against each other and offering added security if the strand breaks.
Keishi (Keshi) Pearls
Small, irregular pearls formed without a nucleus, composed entirely of nacre, making them lustrous and uniquely shaped.
Mabe Pearls
Also called blister pearls, these are half-pearls that form against the shell of the mollusc rather than in its soft tissue.
Majorca Pearls
High-quality imitation pearls made from glass beads coated with layers of fish scales or synthetic materials, originating from Spain.
Mikimoto Pearls
Refers to Akoya pearls cultured by the famous Japanese pearl company founded by Kokichi Mikimoto.
Mother of Pearl
The iridescent inner layer of mollusc shells, is often used in jewellery for its stunning reflective qualities.
Nacre
The organic material secreted by molluscs to form pearls. The quality and thickness of the nacre determine the pearl’s lustre and durability.
Natural Pearl
A pearl that forms naturally in a mollusc without human intervention, is often rare and highly valued.
Peacock Pearls
Dark-coloured pearls, usually with a rich purple, green, or blue overtone, are commonly found in Tahitian pearls.
South Sea Pearls
Large, saltwater pearls are farmed in the oceans surrounding Australia and Indonesia, known for their thick nacre and exceptional size.
Tahitian Pearls
Saltwater pearls from French Polynesia, often dark in colour, with a wide range of hues including black, grey, and green.
Seed Pearls
Small pearls less than 2mm in size, are often used in intricate jewellery designs or as decorative elements in clothing.
Shell Pearls
Man-made pearls created from crushed shells and resin, designed to look like natural pearls.
Orient
The subtle iridescent sheen seen on high-quality pearls, results from the layers of nacre refracting light.
Surface Blemishes
Marks or imperfections on the surface of a pearl, often affect its value but give it character and uniqueness.
Lustre
The reflective quality of a pearl’s surface, is one of the key factors in determining a pearl’s quality.
