Pearl Meaning.

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Pearl encyclopedia

Akoya pearls

Understand Akoya cultured pearls, their bright luster, bead structure and quality tradeoffs. Compare freshwater and South Sea before choosing a strand.

The field guide

How to tell if pearls are real

Check pearl drill holes, surfaces and paperwork without scratching them. Learn why teeth, knots and photos cannot prove natural origin or value.

The field guide

How to clean pearls and when to restring

Safe pearl cleaning steps, storage advice and restringing signs. Learn what to do with old silk, yellowed heirlooms, mabe and glued pearl jewelry.

The field guide

Pearl meaning, symbolism and color

Explore pearl symbolism, June birthstone and wedding traditions. Separate personal color meanings from pearl type, treatment, quality and health claims.

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The pearl encyclopedia

Pearl types and trade names

Start with freshwater, Akoya, Tahitian and South Sea. Then explore shape, formation and trade labels such as baroque, keshi, Edison and Biwa. These names answer different questions.

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10 guides to explore

Topics in this collection

FIELD STUDY / 01Teaching illustration for Akoya pearls

Akoya pearls

Understand Akoya cultured pearls, their bright luster, bead structure and quality tradeoffs. Compare freshwater and South Sea before choosing a strand.

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FIELD STUDY / 02Teaching illustration for Freshwater pearls

Freshwater pearls

Freshwater cultured pearls are real pearls. Learn about bead and non-bead growth, treatments, Edison and Biwa labels, and what to inspect before buying.

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FIELD STUDY / 03Teaching illustration for Tahitian pearls

Tahitian pearls

Learn what Tahitian cultured pearls are, why not every black pearl is Tahitian, and what to ask about treatment, shape and exact-strand images.

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FIELD STUDY / 04Teaching illustration for South Sea pearls

South Sea pearls

Understand white and golden South Sea cultured pearls, satiny luster and size. Compare Akoya and Tahitian and check treatment and origin claims.

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FIELD STUDY / 05Teaching illustration for Keshi pearls

Keshi pearls

Keshi describes non-bead cultured pearl formation, not every irregular shape. Check saltwater and freshwater labels and compare keshi with baroque.

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FIELD STUDY / 06Teaching illustration for Baroque pearls

Baroque pearls

Baroque means an irregular pearl shape. Learn why it is not the same as keshi, how to compare quality and what to request for one-of-a-kind jewelry.

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FIELD STUDY / 07Teaching illustration for Edison pearls

Edison pearls

Edison is a trade name associated with large bead-cultured freshwater pearls. Compare size, color, surface and seller claims without assuming saltwater origin.

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FIELD STUDY / 08Teaching illustration for Biwa pearls: origin or style name?

Biwa pearls: origin or style name?

Read a Biwa pearl listing carefully. Distinguish historic Japanese freshwater production from modern stick-pearl labels and learn what origin evidence can support.

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FIELD STUDY / 09Teaching illustration for Mabe pearls

Mabe pearls

Understand the assembled construction commonly sold as mabe pearl. Ask about backing, filler, settings and cleaning before choosing dome-shaped jewelry.

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FIELD STUDY / 10Teaching illustration for Soufflé pearls

Soufflé pearls

Soufflé pearls are large freshwater cultured pearls associated with a hollow center. Understand the structure and ask about condition, mounting and handling.

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