From the sea
Finding a pearl in an oyster
Almost everyone who opens an oyster secretly hopes for a pearl. But what are the chances, really? And why will you almost never find a necklace-worthy pearl in an oyster from Zeeland?
Pearls to wear
How does a pearl form?
A pearl starts with an intruder: a parasite or a small injury in the tissue of a shellfish. The animal seals it off with layer upon layer of the same material it uses to line the inside of its shell. Over the years, that can grow into a pearl.
What are the chances?
Natural pearls are rare. A commonly quoted estimate is roughly one in ten thousand wild oysters, and only a small share of those is round and lustrous enough for jewellery.
With edible oysters, such as the Pacific oyster and the European flat oyster, it's different again. They don't produce nacre the way pearl oysters do. If you do find a little pearl, it's usually small, dull and irregular: a great story, but rarely worth much.
Where do jewellery pearls come from?
Pearls in jewellery come from pearl oysters in the sea and from freshwater mussels. Nearly all pearls sold today are cultured: the farmer starts the process, the shellfish does the rest. Freshwater pearls often have a playful, not-quite-round shape, so each one is slightly different.
A pearl and an oyster in one gift
Want to give a pearl without opening ten thousand oysters? Our freshwater pearls pair beautifully with a handmade oyster shell as a jewellery dish. Every order is gift wrapped as standard. You can add a personal card at checkout.
Frequently asked questions
How often do oysters have pearls?
Rarely. A commonly quoted estimate is about one in ten thousand wild oysters, and most of those pearls are too small or irregular for jewellery.
Do edible oysters have pearls?
Occasionally a tiny one, but edible oysters don't produce nacre like pearl oysters. Those pearls are usually dull and of little value.
I found a pearl in my oyster. Is it worth anything?
From an edible oyster, usually not much, but it makes a lovely keepsake. For a proper valuation, ask a jeweller or gemmologist.
Are your pearls real?
Yes, they are real cultured freshwater pearls. Each one has a slightly different shape.