Natural pearls are a true gift from nature

The natural pearl has captivated generations like no other stone. It is an elegant and beautiful jewel on its own, a true gift from nature.

A natural pearl begins life as a foreign object lodged inside the oyster. Nacre, a smooth, hard, crystalline substance, forms in layers around the object. Over time, the ultimate result is the precious stone called a pearl.

Most pearls sold today are cultured products of pearl farmers. The difference between cultured pearls and natural pearls is that man carefully implants the irritant and nature creates a miracle.

Stories about the discovery of pearls are many. For centuries it was believed that oysters rose to the water's surface in the morning, opened their shells to absorb a few dew drops that became pearls -- but only at certain times of the year.

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