Shell Pearl

Shell Pearl

Over 4000 years ago, a Chinese man was hungry so he decided to open some shells and feed himself. He became the first man to ever find a pearl!

In the past, pearls could be found in many parts of the world. Today, they are mostly in Bahrain and there are some reports of natural pearls from the Australian Indian Ocean.

Pearls are made of calcium carbonate and cochiolin. It is considered that a foreign body in the shell eventually becomes the pearl. For example, if a grain of sand enters the shell, the mollusk, irritated by the intruder, starts to coat the irritation with calcium carbonate and conchiolin. Eventually, that grain of sand will become the pearl.

When nature does everything by itself a pearl can be shaped perfectly round. There are eight basic shapes. They can be round, semi-round, button, tear, pear, baroque and circled. Of course, the perfectly rounded are very rare and due to this, the most expensive. Man has found a way to produce pearls, but they are never as beautiful as those from the wild.

In Japan they found a way to produce perfect pearls. It is almost like surgical intervention. They inject something in an oyster's body while at the same time they have to be so careful not to harm the oyster.

The largest ever was 5 centimetres long, with a circumference of 10 centimeters. They can be valuable if found in the wild, but because they are very rare the majority of pearls are cultivated or farmed (made from pearl oysters). Pearls from the sea are more expensive than those from freshwater. Of course, there are fake ones too that are not very expensive at all.

During the development of cultured pearl oysters, some species start to make pearls in colour (they can be pink, ream, silk or gold) However, the most interesting is the black pearl. The oysters that produce these are from the species Pinctada margaritifera. They are called "black Tahitian pearls", since they are farmed in Tahiti.

In the past, pearl hunting was the only way to harvest pearls. Divers would dive the ocean bottom or river bed and collect them. They had to check each pearl individually, because not every oyster has a pearl in it. In fact, from three tons of pearls, only three or four will have pearls.

Today Japan is the leading centre for producing pearls. Pearl dealers and wholesalers use Japanese weight measures called momme, and it is pronounced as 'moh-may' (1 momme equals 3.75 grams). Read more about pearls and their formation at http://www.butwhy.com.au/how-do-oysters-make-pearls

Read more of the authors work and the questions kids love to ask at http://www.butwhy.com.au

Pearl Turban Shell $19.99 John Kuss Pearl Turban Shell - Photographic Print

Pearl Trochus Shell $19.99 John Kuss Pearl Trochus Shell - Photographic Print

Southsea Shell Pearl Necklace in Gold $29 Southsea Shell Pearl Necklace in Gold

Tahiti Shell Pearl Necklace in Grey $29 Tahiti Shell Pearl Necklace in Grey

Southsea Shell Pearl Necklace in Copper $29 Southsea Shell Pearl Necklace in Copper

Pearl MCX924 4-Piece Shell Pack $1699.99 Pearl MCX924 4-Piece Shell Pack

Pearl Reference 5-Piece Shell Pack $3539.99 Pearl Reference 5-Piece Shell Pack

Pearl Silver Mouth Shell - back $19.99 Ben Wood Pearl Silver Mouth Shell - back - Giclee Print

Pearl Silver Mouth Shell - front $19.99 Ben Wood Pearl Silver Mouth Shell - front - Giclee Print

Champagne Pearl and Shell Earrings $73 Once you lay your eyes on these champagne pearl and shell earrings you may never want to look away. These impressive earrings are a rare find. The way the champagne freshwater pearl perfectly compliments the shell is outstanding. French wire closure for pierced ears.

Mother of Pearl Cross Shell Earrings $6.99 Mother of Pearl Cross Shell Earrings Reinvent your style with these cross mother of pearl earrings. These natural shell earrings are designed with fishhook backings for a comfortable fit. Specifications: Earwires, 19x14mm, Mother of Pearl, Pierced Earrings

Pearl Forum FZH725P 5-Piece Shell Pack Black $399.99 Pearl Forum FZH725P 5-Piece Shell Pack Black

Pearl Reference 5-Piece Shell Pack Natural Maple $3539.99 Pearl Reference 5-Piece Shell Pack Natural Maple

Pearl Forum Fzh725p 5-Piece Shell Pack Black $399.99 Pearl Forum FZH725P 5-Piece Shell Pack Black

Pugster Shell And Pearl $12.49 Stay a step ahead the latest wave of European Italian charm bead fashion jewelry. This exquisite beaded Pugster Shell and pearl European Italian charm bead dazzles with individual beauty. The humble Italian charm and simple elegance of this European Italian charm bead is an unforgettable and alluring piece of accessory. This interchangeable Pugster Shell and pearl European Italian Italian charm Bead is the perfect gift for any occasion. It is also a great addition to your European Italian charm bead bracelet or necklace. Crafted and authenticated by Pugster, the Shell and pearl European Italian Italian charm Bead is available for both retail and wholesale purchase through our store.Pieces of alluring Pandora Bracelets makes the hightide of the trend.

Genuine Grey Pearl and Mother of Pearl Shell Bracelet $79.99 Genuine Grey Silver Pearl and Mother of Pearl Shell Bracelet Dimensions: Length: 8.00 Inches 30 Fresh Water Pearl, Color: Silver Grey Hand Knotted on Double Silk Thread

Used Pearl Forum 5 Piece Shell Pack $249.99 In Store Used USED PEARL FORUM 5 PIECE SHELL PACK

Used Pearl Export 6-Piece Shell Pack Black $449.99 In Store Used USED PEARL EXPORT 6-PIECE SHELL PACK BLACK

Used Pearl Steel Shell Snare Drum $39.99 In Store Used USED PEARL STEEL SHELL SNARE DRUM

Used Pearl Steel Shell Snare 4/16/12 $79.99 In Store Used USED PEARL STEEL SHELL SNARE 4/16/12

Used Pearl 4Pc Fiberglass Shell Pack 091211 $259.99 In Store Used USED PEARL 4PC FIBERGLASS SHELL PACK 091211

Used Pearl 14 Steel Shell Snare Drum $69.99 In Store Used USED PEARL 14" STEEL SHELL SNARE DRUM

Used Pearl Free-Floating Maple Shell Snare $199.99 In Store Used USED PEARL FREE-FLOATING MAPLE SHELL SNARE

Used Pearl Steel Shell 5.5X14 Snare $89.99 In Store Used USED PEARL STEEL SHELL 5.5X14 SNARE

Pearl Shell Necklace $13.49 Style: Bohemian, Modern Fabric: Alloy, Pearl Color: White, Black Size: F ACCESSORIES: Necklace JEWELRY SILHOUETTE: Beaded

12mm Shell Single Pearl Pendant $19.99 Shell single pearl pendant. Pearl measures 12mm in diameter. Size/Dimensions: 19.9mm x 12.0mm Design: Gemstone Style: Gem-Set Resizable: No Adjustable: No Gift Box: Gift Bag Material: Silver Plated Stone: Pearl

Mother of Pearl Palm Tree Shell Earrings $9.99 Mother of Pearl Palm Tree Shell Earrings These natural shell earrings are designed with fishhook backings for a comfortable fit. Specifications: 2Earwires, 5mm, Mother of Pearl Shell, Pierced Earrings

Pearl Free Floating Brass Replacement Shell 14X3.5 Inches $109.99 The Pearl Free Floating Brass Replacement Shell is a replacement shell for the the Pearl Free Floating 6-Ply Maple Snare Drum.

Pearl Free Floating Brass Replacement Shell 14X6.5 Inches $173.99 The Pearl Free Floating Brass Replacement Shell is a replacement shell for the the Pearl Free Floating 6-Ply Maple Snare Drum.

Used Pearl Free Floating Brass Replacement Shell 14X6.5 Inches $173.99 The Pearl Free Floating Brass Replacement Shell is a replacement shell for the the Pearl Free Floating 6-Ply Maple Snare Drum.