Natural Formation 

At the heart of the mesmerizing world of pearls lies a fascinating natural process that transforms an irritant into a luminescent gem. The journey begins when a tiny intruder, perhaps a particle of shell or rock, infiltrates the sanctuary of an oyster's fleshy body. In a remarkable defense mechanism, the oyster secretes layers of Calcium Carbonate, known as Aragonite, from the inner lining of its shell. These layers, detached from the shell, are what we recognize as nacre, building up gradually to bestow upon the pearl its iridescent allure, often referred to as the "orient."

Over the course of several years, the layers of nacre multiply, forming the pearl. If the intruder attaches itself to the oyster's shell, a semi-spherical pearl is born, known as a Mabé or blister pearl. Contrary to popular belief, sand is not the culprit for pearl formation; the oyster easily expels such irritants. The fascinating process of pearl creation was once witnessed by daring female divers, who, tethered to rocks, plunged 50 to 65 feet underwater to collect these precious oysters.

These remarkable oysters, roughly the size of an outstretched hand, boast a lifespan of around 13 years. Divers, often making up to 40 dives a day, would take a percentage of the value of any pearl sales. Remarkably, only about every 50th oyster yields a pearl, highlighting the rarity of these exquisite gems.

In recent years, the enchanting world of pearls has faced challenges as ocean pollutants led to a drastic drop in pearl harvests. Tales abound of divers bringing up tons of shell without discovering a single gem-quality pearl. For Tahitian pearls, estimates suggest that over 500,000 oysters may need harvesting to create a single necklace. This equates to one ounce of pearl for every 50 tons of shell, with only 10% reaching gem quality, 60% of minor quality, and 30% rejected.