Pearl Facts

Click on any question above and see its answer here.

What is the difference between cultured pearls and freshwater cultured pearls?

Freshwater pearls and cultured pearls are produced the same way except for the type of water. Japan began pearl farming in salt water many years ago. Japanese pearls became the standard we all look to for pearls. These salt water pearls were named cultured pearls.

So when someone asks are freshwater pearls real pearls, the answer is yes they are. They are just harvested in fresh water instead of the ocean.

Why are freshwater pearls less expensive than saltwater cultured pearls?

Believe it or not it's supply and demand. Cultured pearls have been around longer. When the first freshwater cultured pearls were introduced they were small and looked like "rice krispie". They were in such abundance that their value was diminished. Today the process has been improved and now freshwater pearls can have the same luster, shape and beauty as "cultured pearls", yet they continue to cost less, for the time being because of the past reputation. This will not prevail in the future.

Note: According to NOVA, the public broadcasting station's science experts: A great irony of pearl history is that the least expensive freshwater cultured pearl product in the market today rivals the quality of the most expensive natural pearls ever found. The price-value anomaly is obvious to the consumers as they hasten to buy freshwater bargains.

How are pearls made?

The birth of a pearl is truly a miraculous event. Unlike gemstones or precious metals that must be mined from the earth, pearls are grown by live oysters. Pearls are born from their mother oysters with a shimmering iridescence that is unlike any other gem on earth. To produce cultured pearls a tiny foreign object, usually a small piece of polished shell, is implanted as an irritant inside the oyster or mussel. In an effort to ease this irritant the oyster secretes a smooth hard crystalline substance around the irritant. This substance is called nacre. As long as the irritant remains in the oyster nacre will be secreted. The longer it remains in the oyster the larger the pearl.

How do I take care of my pearls?

The main rule is "Last on, first off": Put your pearls on after you have used all sprays and perfumes and take them off before pulling garments over your head or washing your face.

Pearls are very durable and the more they are worn the more the luster seems to glow. Don?t be afraid to wear your pearls everywhere, they are very hardy. If you need to clean them usually wiping with a damp cloth is enough. A drop of olive oil occasionally on the cloth will help maintain the luster. If they are very dirty or coated they may need to be cleaned by your jeweler. Some liquid soaps such as Dawn can damage pearls.

Where are dForsythe Pearls from?

Our pearls are from a small protected inlet of freshwater in Vietnam. Due to pollution, freshwater is becoming scarce. These rare finds are from an area that has been farmed for about 10 years.

How do I tell the difference between real and faux (fake) pearls?

An easy way to tell the difference is the "tooth" test. A fake pearl slowly rubbed across the front teeth will feel smooth and slick. A real or cultured pearl will feel a little gritty. This "grittiness" is from the crystalline structure of nacre that forms real pearls.

Not all of the pearls I see are perfectly round, does that mean they are less valuable?

What makes something valuable? What people will pay for it. In the past the more perfectly round a pearl was the more expensive it was. Not true today. Because faux pearls can look so perfect, cultured pearls with natural blemishes are growing in popularity thus the prices are increasing.

How long does it take for a pearl to form?

Pearls begin to form as soon as the irritant is introduced. Nacre is applied layer by layer by the oyster. The larger the pearl the longer it takes. A 3mm pearl will take about 5 years to form.

How do I keep my cubic zirconia stones clear?

Just as the glasses in your dishwasher get cloudy when you don't use jet dry, cubic zirconias do as well. The cloudy coating often comes from the sediment in the water.

CZ's should be cleaned in liquid jewelry cleaner monthly. After rinsing off the cleaner, use a hair dryer on the back side of the setting to dry the CZ's before the sediment settles on the stones. Your cubic zirconia should stay clear forever if you follow this advice.