When it comes to pearls, many people think of them as being perfectly round.
However, this is not always the case – in fact, many pearls have imperfections. Should these so-called “imperfect” pearls be discounted? Or are they just as valuable as their more perfect counterparts?
In this article, we will explore the meaning behind these imperfections and determine whether or not they are worth buying.
Table of Contents
What Are Pearls and Where Do They Come From?
Pearls are the only gems that come from living creatures.
They come from oysters, clams, otherwise known as mollusks. Rarely, a pearl will be found in an Abalone or a sea conch.
They form inside the creature because an irritant such as a grain of sand had gotten inside and cannot be expelled, so the creature encased the irritant with nacre to protect itself.
Layer after layer of calcium carbonate creates the round shape of a pearl.
Because it is such a rare thing to find pearls in the wild, man has found ways to produce them by farming them and “culturing” them to create vast amounts of pearls that would otherwise not exist.
This practice has reduced the monetary value of pearls and has made them more affordable.
Wild pearls may not be as perfectly round as many cultured pearls are, yet they are far more valuable in spite of whatever imperfections and blemishes that they may have, simply because they are so rare.
Do natural pearls have blemishes?
Nearly all natural pearls have blemishes.
This stands true for both wild as well as farmed pearls.
The cultured pearls are living in a controlled environment and so the blemishes may be less dramatic and are tiny, but they can be seen through any loupe.
Blemishes do not necessarily devalue pearls unless they are large and unsightly, and they can be covered up by placing that area downward on a ring peg or drilled for stringing.
Do real pearls have indentations?
Real pearls have indentations, although the degree of them will vary and some will not be able to be seen with the naked eye. There are many types of imperfections that indicate that the pearl is natural or real.
Let’s look at the types that you can expect to see to some degree when looking closely:
Types of Imperfections Real Pearls Should Have
Do imperfections make the pearl less valuable?
Not necessarily.
In fact, many people feel that the imperfections make the pearl more unique and interesting. It is important to remember that no two pearls are alike, and that is what makes them so special.
While cultured pearls may be more uniform in shape and size, they will still have some imperfections.
The key is to find a pearl that you love, regardless of its imperfections. Here are the different types of imperfections a real pearl will have:
| Type of Imperfection | Description |
|---|---|
| Mottling | This is a light plating pattern that appears on a pearl’s surface while it is forming the pearl. This does not affect the grade of a pearl. It can be light or dark and is often considered to be a desirable trait, as it is unique to each pearl. |
| Clips | These are found when a pearl has a very thin nacre. They are small holes in the surface which does affect the durability, quality and appearance of a pearl. |
| Welts | Welts are simply irregular bumps that are formed when an extra amount of nacre is secreted to form the pearl. |
| Dents | Dents can vary in depth and are easy to see with the naked eye. The color may or may not match the color of the pearl. |
| Cracks | Cracks resemble wrinkles or hairs and will affect durability, quality and appearance. |
| Circles | When you see pearls that have a circle growth pattern on them that resemble a ring on the surface, they are usually called Baroque pearls. These can be quite dramatic. |
| Dark Spots | Sometimes you will find a pearl that has dark spots on the surface. These are concentrated but can be removed by a bleaching process. |
| Dull Spots | Dull spots happen when the nacre is not secreted evenly on the surface and will affect the pearls’ luster though not the durability. |
| Knobs or Tips | These are a short pointed growth that is found on one end of a Baroque pearl. |
| Pin Pricks | Often you will see tiny blemishes in the nacre that look like needle pricks. They can match the pearl’s color or not have any color. They can be individual or grouped together. |
| Score Marks | These are very light and thin lines that are present within the nacre although not usually seen with the naked eye. |
As you can see, there are many different types of blemishes that can be found on pearls.
Pearls usually have more than one type, but it is the luster of the nacre that will mostly determine the value as long as the blemishes are not outlandish.
We have not even mentioned the shape of a pearl as being one of the blemishes or imperfections because pearl shape is quite natural even if they are not perfectly round.
Most pearls are not perfectly round, and even if they were, they could have other flaws that would affect its value.
On the other hand, if a pearl is near perfectly round and has few blemishes and great luster…plus, if it was found in the wild rather than by being cultured, then it would be exceptionally rare and even more valuable than a diamond of the same size.
FAQ’s About Pearl Imperfections
Do freshwater pearls have imperfections?
The difference between freshwater and saltwater pearls is that freshwater pearls are grown in lakes, riverbeds and creeks, while saltwater pearls are grown in the ocean. Other than that, they should have similar imperfections.
Are real pearls gritty or smooth on teeth?
One of the ways that you can know if a pearl is real is to do the teeth test. Simply slide the pearl gently across your teeth to see if it feels a bit sandy or gritty, or if it is slick as snot/smooth as silk. If it is gritty, then it is real because the nacre is formed by a substance that is not slick, even though it is shiny.
Are deformed pearls worth anything?
Deformed pears are certainly valuable because they can be set into a freeform design, and they are valuable because they are distinctly unique.
If a deformed pearl has been harvested from the wild rather than cultured, then it is all the more valuable. If you consider some of the types of Baroque pearls, stick pearls and conch pears, they appear to be deformed but are still desirable due to their one of a kind shapes.
Can pearls have scratches?
Pearls can have scratches, but these are not necessarily good. If a pearl is scratched, then it is damaged on the surface and can easily begin to chip and fall apart over time. However, if the scratch appearance are actual natural blemishes called “score marks” as seen with a loupe, then it is harmless.
Final Thoughts
Every pearl is unique even though you will find strands of them that look exactly the same. Most often though, the blemishes and imperfections will be apparent and will be noticed once you look closely at each individual pearls rather than as a whole necklace..
These blemishes and imperfections are what makes each pearl unique, and it is also these same characteristics that will affect the value of a pearl.
If you have any concerns about the value of your pearls, then you should always consult with a professional to get an accurate appraisal.