Introduction to cultured pearls

Mother-of-pearl is a fascinating material that has captivated mankind for millennia. Used in jewelry, objets d'art and even lithotherapy, mother-of-pearl is prized for its iridescent sheen and unique properties.

Discover authentic cameos, an ancient art form with roots in ancient Greece. These works carved from shells are treasures of craftsmanship, where the bas-relief engraving technique highlights relief motifs from materials of contrasting colors. Explore the evolution and richness of this art form, which continues to delight enthusiasts and collectors down the centuries.

South Sea pearls, also known as Australian pearls for the light and golden ones, and Tahitian pearls for the darker ones. Australian pearls originate in the warm waters of Oceania and use the same cultivation process as saltwater pearls (Tahiti and Akoya). Despite their name, these pearls are produced from the south coast of China to the north of Australia, passing through Indochina and Indonesia. The pearl oyster that produces these pearls is called "Pinctada Maxima", which lives in the salt...

Akoya pearls are the most luxurious and expensive pearls in the world and have many virtues, including protection from evil spirits, longevity, beauty and wealth. For a person to own an Akoya pearl meant that he or she held a special place in society because of its rarity and beauty.

One of nature's best known treasures, Tahitian pearls are a popular component of jewellery. They are known for their distinctive qualities and beautiful colours. The coral polyps that live in the waters around Tahiti secrete substances to create the pearl. The oyster creates a pearl by enveloping it in layers of hard, iridescent mother-of-pearl. Most pearls are between three and six millimetres in diameter. However, rare Tahitian pearls have been known to reach 15 millimetres in diameter! The...

The freshwater pearl, a wonder of nature that has been cherished for centuries for its mystical beauty. Today, most freshwater pearls sold on the market are cultured pearls. Freshwater cultured pearls are produced by inserting a stone into the oyster, which stimulates the formation of a pearl.