Pärlindustrin

Pärlindustrin, or the pearl industry, refers to the cultivation and harvesting of pearls. Historically, pearls were a natural product of oysters and mussels, found by chance and highly prized for their rarity and beauty. This natural pearl diving was a dangerous and unpredictable endeavor, leading to the creation of an industry built around the scarcity of these gems.

The modern pearl industry is dominated by pearl cultivation, also known as pearl farming. This practice involves the intentional introduction of an irritant, typically a bead or a piece of mantle tissue, into the soft body of a pearl-producing mollusk. The mollusk then secretes nacre, a lustrous substance, around the irritant, gradually forming a pearl. This process allows for a more controlled and consistent supply of pearls.

Different types of mollusks produce distinct types of pearls, varying in size, shape, color, and luster. Major cultivated pearl types include Akoya pearls from Japan, South Sea pearls from Australia and the Philippines, Tahitian pearls from French Polynesia, and freshwater pearls from China and the United States. The value of a pearl is determined by factors such as its size, shape, color, surface quality, and luster. The pearl industry encompasses not only the farming and harvesting but also the cutting, polishing, grading, and marketing of pearls for jewelry and other decorative purposes.