Gemstone Encyclopedia

Pearl Nacre Thickness: Quality Science Guide

Pearl Nacre Thickness: Quality Science Guide

Pearl nacre thickness is the most important quality factor for durability and luster. A complete science guide to nacre thickness standards, what determines thickness, how to assess it, and its...

Pearl Nacre Thickness: Quality Science Guide

Pearl nacre thickness is the most important quality factor for durability and luster. A complete science guide to nacre thickness standards, what determines thickness, how to assess it, and its...

Pearl Overtone: Surface Iridescence Guide

Pearl Overtone: Surface Iridescence Guide

What is pearl overtone? A complete guide to pearl surface iridescence - what causes overtone, overtone by pearl type, how to see it, its effect on value, and how to...

Pearl Overtone: Surface Iridescence Guide

What is pearl overtone? A complete guide to pearl surface iridescence - what causes overtone, overtone by pearl type, how to see it, its effect on value, and how to...

Pearl Color Cause: Nacre and Pigment Science

Pearl Color Cause: Nacre and Pigment Science

What causes pearl color? A complete science guide to pearl body color, overtones, and orient - covering conchiolin pigments, nacre interference, mantle tissue color, and natural vs. treated pearl color.

Pearl Color Cause: Nacre and Pigment Science

What causes pearl color? A complete science guide to pearl body color, overtones, and orient - covering conchiolin pigments, nacre interference, mantle tissue color, and natural vs. treated pearl color.

Pearl Luster: Light Reflection Science

Pearl Luster: Light Reflection Science

What causes pearl luster? A complete science guide - surface reflection, thin-film interference, nacre transparency, luster grading, and how to evaluate luster quality when buying pearls.

Pearl Luster: Light Reflection Science

What causes pearl luster? A complete science guide - surface reflection, thin-film interference, nacre transparency, luster grading, and how to evaluate luster quality when buying pearls.

Pearl Hardness: Mohs 2.5-4.5 Explained

Pearl Hardness: Mohs 2.5-4.5 Explained

Pearl hardness is Mohs 2.5-4.5 - lower than most gemstones. A complete guide to what this means for pearl care, how toughness compensates for low hardness, and practical storage and...

Pearl Hardness: Mohs 2.5-4.5 Explained

Pearl hardness is Mohs 2.5-4.5 - lower than most gemstones. A complete guide to what this means for pearl care, how toughness compensates for low hardness, and practical storage and...

Pearl Structure: Layers of Nacre Explained

Pearl Structure: Layers of Nacre Explained

How is a pearl structured? A complete guide to nacre layer architecture - aragonite platelets, conchiolin sheets, the brick wall model, and thin-film interference that creates pearl luster and orient.

Pearl Structure: Layers of Nacre Explained

How is a pearl structured? A complete guide to nacre layer architecture - aragonite platelets, conchiolin sheets, the brick wall model, and thin-film interference that creates pearl luster and orient.