pearl

Finding a pearl in a freshly harvested oyster. Photo by michael davis-burchat. Licensed under CC By-ND 2.0.

Pearls from a pearl farm, Rangiroa, Tuamotu-Gambier, French Polynesia. Photo by Olivier Bruchez. Licensed under CC By-SA 2.0.

Mabe pearl ring. Photo by christina rutz. Licensed under CC By 2.0.

Baroque pearls (top), Biwa pearls (middle), and teardrop pearls (pair). Biwa are a Japanese freshwater variety of pearl.  Photo by Mauro Cateb.…

A natural pearl, from an oyster found in Tamalas Bay, CA. Photo by seligmanwaite. Licensed under CC By 2.0.

Earrings with cranberry red-dyed freshwater pearls on fine silver headpins and sterling silver earwires. Photo by Leah. Licensed under CC By…

Pearl necklaces. Photo by brownpau. Licensed under CC By 2.0.

Pearl: Worldwide localities, selected to show color variation. Photo © Joel E. Arem, PhD, FGA. Used with permission.

Sterling silver quatrefoil drop earrings with natural gray, baroque saltwater pearls and rhodolite garnet accents. Photo and jewelry by…