Natural Pearls VS Cultured Pearls
There are two primary types of pearls:
Natural Pearls are formed entirely by chance in the wild. They are incredibly rare, making up less than 1% of all pearls on the market today. Their rarity and historical significance make them immensely valuable.
Cultured Pearls are the pearls we know today. They are created through the same natural process, but with human assistance. A skilled technician surgically implants a small bead (the nucleus) and a piece of mantle tissue into the mollusk, which then coats it with nacre. This cultivation process, perfected over a century ago, makes beautiful pearls accessible while still requiring years of natural growth. Virtually all pearls in modern jewelry are cultured.