When a pearl is asymmetrical, it is called free-form. Their beauty lies in their uniqueness. Free-from pearls feature the same luster as their spherical counterparts, but unexpected contours and shapes add a dynamic character that has earned these gems a new level of appreciation over the last few decades.
The plain, rough shell of a simple mollusk is home to what was once the most valuable—and expensive—jewel on the planet. The conditions required to create a perfectly spherical, lustrous pearl were so rare, and the effort required to retrieve even a single gem was so great, ownership was reserved exclusively for the wealthiest and most powerful classes.
Pearls are born from one of nature’s most incredible defense mechanisms. When an irritant enters a mollusk’s shell, the creature inside surrounds the invader with living cells. These cells produce a thin, translucent, but solid layer of iridescent material called nacre. Over time, the mollusk adds layer after layer, resulting in a rich, lustrous gem. Most pearls have a less than symmetrical shape; it was the perfectly round specimens that were revered by cultures around the globe. For every three tons of mollusks collected by ancient pearl divers, only three to four would contain a spherical pearl.
The first discovery of pearls predates recorded history, but by the time scribes kept meticulous records, pearls were a mark of extreme wealth and power. The warm waters of the Persian Gulf produced the largest quantities of saltwater pearls, and freshwater pearls were harvested from rivers and ponds as far north as Scotland and as far east as China. The discovery of the New World led to a new source of pearls and the “Pearl Age” of the 15th and 16th centuries. Japan led the way in perfecting a technique to cultivate pearls in the early 1900s, and today pearl farms in China and Australia produce the majority of freshwater and saltwater pearls.
For centuries the powder of pearls has been used for both medicinal and cosmetic purposes. The powder is said to keep skin white and blemish-free. Energetically, pearls nurture faith, loyalty, and integrity. They are said to bring the power of love, money, protection, and luck and to keep children safe.