Pearl Shapes

Shape

The rounder a pearl is, and the closer it is to a perfect round, the higher its quality is considered to be.

On the other hand, pearls with distinctive irregular shapes are called "baroque pearls," and each can truly be said to be one of a kind in the world.

There are also many other shapes, such as semi-round, drop, oval, button, twin and circle.

About Pearl Shapes

A pearl grows when a nucleus is inserted into an Akoya oyster and layers of nacre build up around that nucleus.

The closer a pearl is to a beautiful perfect round, the better it is considered to be, but not every pearl grows round.

If the nucleus moves in the sea, or if the insertion position shifts and the nucleus touches other tissue, this can cause deformation and blemishes.

Irregular pearls formed in this way are called "baroque pearls," and their unique, distinctive shapes are prized for their charm.

The Appeal of Baroque Pearls

In a baroque pearl, the nucleus inside is itself round, so the irregular parts on the outside are masses of nacre.

As a result, the nacre is thicker in the irregular parts, which tend to show strong luster.

Some also display complex interference colors depending on how the light strikes them.

Baroque pearls are often used in jewelry designs, letting you enjoy a more casual and individual look that differs from round pearls.

The Difference Between "Baroque Pearls" and "Keshi Pearls"

The major difference between baroque pearls and keshi pearls is whether or not they contain an artificial nucleus.

Baroque pearls contain a nucleus, whereas keshi pearls do not contain a round artificial nucleus.

Keshi pearls form by chance, when grains of sand, microorganisms or the like that the oyster happens to take in while breathing act in place of a nucleus.

Their shape is therefore unrestricted, and each one grows into its own different shape.