Bronze freshwater pearls "button" shape 7mm on 16-inch strands
Most gems are stones, but a few like Pearl, Amber, Jet, and Coral, are classified as Organic gems, meaning they came from living things.
Pearls are formed inside bivalves (similar to oysters), which coat any foreign substance that gets inside their shell with a smooth layer of pearly nacre to reduce the irritation.
The Chinese cultured in the 12th century, but the Japanese developed it into an industry in the 1890s, by inserting mother-of-pearl beads as the basis of their cultured Pearls.
Pearls were greatly valued in ancient China, India, and Greece. In Rome, only people of high rank were allowed to wear them. They remain among the most popular gems worldwide.
Treat Pearls with care, avoiding, abrasion, detergents, acids, perspiration, cosmetics and hair spray as well as excessive heat, light, or humidity.
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