Natural pearls are found in the pearl oysters

A pearl is formed when a foreign object gets into the mantle of a mollusk. This irritation becomes covered with successive layers of nacre, which is the mother of pearl, and eventually forms a pearl.

Cultured pearls are probably easier to match, but natural pearls are more valuable. For the cultured variety, pearl farmers keep the special oysters in confinement. Foreign objects are purposefully entered into the mantle and the process of encystation begins and eventually many layers of nacre form a pearl. This pearl can be harvested and a new irritant is placed in the mantle. This can be continued for the life of the mollusk.

Natural pearls are found in the Fashion Jewelry Store oysters, which are found in tropical seas, mostly in Asia. Quite a large number would have to be found to be able to make a matched string, which would explain their greater value.

Basically, pearl is a natural product of an oyster's body defense mechanism. They grow inside their mother oysters with a shimmering iridescence, luster and soft inner glow that is unlike any other gem on the earth.

Natural pearls grow naturally in oysters living at sea without the human intervention. When any irritant or a parasite enters inside an oyster or mollusk then the process of natural coating begins with layer upon layer of nacre inside the oyster. But natural pearls are rarely found now-a-days. On the other hand culture pearls are very real and genuine. These cultured pearls are formed with the human help when a nucleus is implanted inside the oyster and then the process of coating begins with layers upon layers of iridescent substance called nacre and it takes about 2-5 years to form a complete pearl depending upon techniques and where it is grown, sea or rivers among other conditions. Reflection and refraction from the translucent layers truly determines the unique luster quality of pearls. The display of iridescence in pearls is result of overlapping of successive layers.

The Black Pearl may have been a ship in a movie but the black pearls in a black pearl necklace come from the South pacific islands and are often called South Sea Pearls or Tahitian Pearls.

They can look quite splendid especially in a tastefully made black pearl necklace which shows off the skin tone and the dress. A black pearl necklace is the basic black of jewelry and will go with most designs and fashions.

When looking for a black pearl necklace there are some things to keep in mind.

Black pearls come in a range of sizes as well as qualities. The size, quantity and quality will depend largely on your budget. The more you can spend the bigger and more pearls you can get for the necklace. However you may not want large pearls of course. The shape and thickness of the neck is important so that you pick the size that is right for you. If one's neck is on the thin size too big pearls will emphasis the thinness of the neck. While too small a set of pearls on a thicker neck will look tiny and out of place.MORE:pearl necklace jewelry