Difference Between Natural Pearls and Cultured Pearls
Natural pearls and cultured pearls are the two primary types of pearls. The difference in the names of pearls is due to the different ways of formation. An irritant for a natural pearl is inserted accidentally, while an irritant for a cultured pearl is artificially inserted into the shell.
What is Pearl Luster?
Pearl Luster is the factor that provides the pearl with its true beauty - it's that mysterious inner glow that seems to emanate from the center of a genuinely high-quality pearl. Usually, a pearl's luster is a combination of surface reflection and a glow that really does come from within - from the many layers of nacre built up over time inside an oyster. When viewed under a bare light with the naked eye, pearls with a high luster will generally show the following characteristics. -Strong light reflections -Sharp light reflections -A good contrast between the bright and darker...