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From ocean to Necklace: The journey of a real pearl

From ocean to Necklace: The journey of a real pearl

by Aria P in Pearls

The Story of Cultured Pearls

For centuries, pearls were rare treasures, accessible only to the wealthiest individuals. Before modern cultivation techniques, natural pearls were found by chance in the wild, making them incredibly scarce and leading to near extinction. Fortunately, around 100 years ago, scientists discovered a way to cultivate pearls, revolutionizing the industry and making these stunning gems available to more people than ever before.

The Science of Pearl Cultivation

Cultivating pearls is a precise and delicate process. A small nucleus, typically made from mother-of-pearl, is carefully placed inside the oyster or mollusk. The organism recognizes it as an intruder and begins to coat it with layers of nacre—the same material that gives pearls their famous shine and iridescence. Over time, as the oyster feeds and grows, it continuously deposits layers, developing the pearl’s thickness and enhancing its luster.

Pearl farms are set up in carefully controlled environments, often in sheltered sea areas rich in natural nutrients. Oysters are even moved to warmer waters in winter and lifted out periodically for cleaning treatments to remove seaweed and barnacles—almost like a spa treatment for them! The cultivation process can take years, but the result is a pearl with exceptional beauty and quality.

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Do Oysters Feel Pain? The Truth Behind Pearl Farming

Do Oysters Feel Pain? The Truth Behind Pearl Farming

When people hear that oysters are opened to harvest pearls, they often assume it’s a painful process. But here’s the truth—oysters don’t feel pain. Unlike humans and animals, oysters lack a central nervous system, meaning they don’t have the biological structures needed to process pain signals. Why Oysters Can’t Feel Pain Pain, as we understand it, requires a brain and a network of pain receptors (nociceptors) to detect harm and send distress signals. Oysters have none of these. Instead, they have a simple nervous system that controls basic functions like opening and closing their shells. While they react to stimuli, it’s more of a reflex than an actual sensation of pain. The Ethics of Pearl Farming Pearl farming is one of the most sustainable and low-impact forms of aquaculture. Unlike wild pearl diving, which nearly wiped out natural pearl populations, farming allows oysters to grow in carefully maintained environments. They are protected from predators, kept in nutrient-rich waters, and even cleaned regularly to promote healthy growth. When it’s time for harvest, the oyster is opened to retrieve the pearl—just as it would be in any pearl farm around the world. The only difference? Here, you get to experience the final step of pearl harvesting yourself. Instead of a factory process hidden behind closed doors, you are part of the journey, making the pearl more meaningful. Pearls Without the Myths The idea that oysters suffer when opened is simply not true. Just like trees don’t "scream" when a leaf is plucked, oysters don’t experience pain when their shell is opened. This is how every pearl in the world is harvested—only now, you get to see the process firsthand. So when you open your oyster and reveal your pearl, you can do so knowing the truth: no pain, just nature’s magic.

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