A pearl is a beautiful collaboration between nature and chance. When a particle, such as a grain of sand, is trapped in an oyster or mussel, it is coated with layers of smooth, rich nacre. Over time, this natural development creates the radiant gem we know as a pearl.

In every 10,000 oysters, you might be lucky enough to find a single natural pearl. Because of this scarcity, virtually all pearls today are cultured--they are created by deliberately inserting an irritant into the oyster's tissue. Because the quality of cultured pearls varies widely, the following information will aid you in making a wise purchase decision.