The beauty and magic of pearls have been a source of fascination and desire since their discovery in ancient times. Viewed as magic charms, symbols of purity and love, or sources of wisdom and power, pearls are one of the oldest known gems and have been revered by countless civilizations.

Types of Pearls

• Akoya - This is the most familiar type of pearl sold in necklaces. Akoyas from Japan and China are grown in pearl oysters and are known for their shimmering beauty and warm colors, which range from rose, cream and gold to silvery white and blue/gray.

• South Sea - Large (10mm and up) cultured pearls grown in tropical and semi-tropical oysters in the South Seas and around the coast of Australia. Their color ranges from silvery white to gold; they are quite costly due to their size and rarity.

• Mabe - Large, hemispherical cultured pearls grown against the inside shells of oysters rather then in the oysters' bodies. Less expensive then round cultured pearls due to their half-round shape, they are most popular in earrings, rings and brooches.

• Fresh Water - Pearls cultivated in mussels, not oysters, in fresh water lakes and rivers in China, Japan and the United States. Due to their easy cultivation, fresh waters are fairly inexpensive. Shapes can be freeform, rice shaped, off round or spherical and colors range from milky white, to peach, pink and lavender.

• Keshi - Also known as sea pearls, these tiny pearls can be as small as a grain of sand and form accidentally in many cultured pearl oysters.

• Baroque - Cultured pearls that are irregularly shaped, yet often lustrous and appealing. Due to their shapes, baroque pearls are often less costly then round, cultured pearls.