PEARL JEWELLERY

One of the oldest gemstones known to mankind, natural and real pearls are referenced in texts ranging from the Quran and Bible to the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh, written almost 4,000 years ago. Their beauty and rarity has been celebrated through the ages, and coveted by kings and queens.

Thanks to their inherent natural beauty, without the need for polishing or faceting to enhance their appearance, pearls have become symbolic of purity and truth. Delve into the history of pearl jewellery and it’s magical journey from nature itself.

David Morris selects only the most beautiful pearls, natural and cultured, for its collections and high jewellery creations. The Arabian Gulf is renowned for its exceptional natural round pearls, and examples of these are often chosen for our spectacular one-of-a-kind pieces, while natural ‘drop’ pearls are often sourced from Australia or Indonesia.

For our fine jewellery collections we use cultured akoya saltwater pearls, which are known for being perfectly round, highly lustrous and with a metallic-like sheen. Rare pink ‘conch’ pearls are exclusively found in the warm waters of the Caribbean and we have created some extraordinary high jewellery creations using conch pearls.

Similar to mined precious stones, natural pearls are subject to a number of variables that have a bearing upon their value. A natural pearl’s shine and lustre, shape, colour and weight, in particular, are all important attributes to consider when investing in pearl jewellery.

The very nature of how pearls are created within an oyster means that an incredible variety of colours and shapes can be found, and as such, natural pearls of the same size, shade and shape are highly sought for pearl jewellery requiring a large number of complementary pearls.

Modern-day cultured pearls offer a more accessible price point, while natural pearls are of course far scarcer, and therefore more valuable. Whether investing in cultured or natural pearl jewellery, look for pearls that possess a consistency of shape and colour, iridescence, and that have not been artificially coloured.

In terms of rarity, pink conch pearls are among the rarest and most prized of all natural pearls, followed by other types of natural pearls. For those considering investing in pearl jewellery, suitable storage is essential – pearls contain moisture, which can be lost if stored incorrectly, leading to cracking. Follow the Middle Eastern tradition and keep pearl jewellery wrapped in a silk cloth when not being worn, helping to preserve the pearls’ natural beauty for future generations.