Comparing the Types of Pearls
Comparing the Types of Pearls
Comparing the types of pearls we use to make our beaded items, we discuss how they are made and the differences in how they look.
SHOP for Rosaries with Pearl Beads
The Types of Pearls: A Comparison
Pearls with Natural Nacre
Cultured Freshwater Pearls
Cultured Freshwater Pearls start with a bead made of shell placed inside an oyster. The oyster coats the bead with a nacre or shiny organic substance. It is this organic material that gives pearls their distinct beauty. In China, they grow them in fresh water. They are either white, off-white, or dyed. Grades are based on luster, shape, and texture.
South Sea Pearls
South Sea Pearls also begin with a shell (or other) bead cultured mainly in the South Pacific. The oyster coats the bead with nacre in the same way as freshwater pearls. We use an affordable grade.
Mother of Pearl
Mother-of-Pearl is the iridescent material inside the lining of an oyster shell. It coats the inside of their shells with nacre to protect them. It looks iridescent because of the way the light reflects on the layers of nacre on the shell. This type of pearl bead is less rare and less costly than most natural pearls.
Machine-Made Pearls
Czech Glass Pearls
Glass Pearls are glass beads with a pearlescent coating that looks like natural pearl nacre. Their glass core makes them feel heavy and the coating is thicker than craft-grade plastic pearls.
Plastic Pearls
Plastic Pearls are plastic beads with a light coating. They resemble real pearls but are lightweight and peel easily. As a result, we do not use them for our rosaries.
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Discover how bead type, size, and spacing change the finished look of a rosary. Click to learn more.
CREDITS
The LOGO image of Our Lady of Grace is original artwork by Martin Lariviere in 2009. We have the artist’s permission (my son). It is our exclusive trademark logo image.
A beautifully photographed sky by Donald Tong inspired the website’s colour scheme. Cropped portions of it are the background for the footer Bible verse. He shared it as a free download on pexels.com.
Raphael painted The Sistine Madonna circa (1513-1514). We made circular cut-outs from the original image.
Our information is from general knowledge, experience, and shared internet resources. We’d like you to use it as a starting point for your research to verify facts and build a reference list.
IN REVIEW
Cultured Freshwater Pearls start with a bead made of shell placed inside an oyster. It coats the bead with nacre. It is this organic material that gives pearls their distinctive beauty.
Mother of Pearl is the nacre or iridescent material inside the lining of an oyster shell. The light reflects on the layers of the nacre.
Czech glass pearls are glass beads with a pearlescent coating that looks like natural pearl nacre. The glass core makes them feel heavy and the coating is thicker than craft-grade plastic pearls.