Pärlproduktion

Pärlproduktion refers to the process of creating pearls, which are lustrous gems formed within the soft tissue of living shelled mollusks, most commonly oysters and mussels. This production can occur naturally or through human intervention, known as pearl cultivation. Natural pearls are rare and are formed when an irritant, such as a parasite or a piece of debris, lodges within the mollusk. The creature then secretes layers of nacre, a substance composed of calcium carbonate and conchiolin, around the irritant to protect itself, gradually forming a pearl.

Pearl cultivation, or pearl farming, mimics this natural process but introduces a bead or tissue irritant into the mollusk under controlled conditions. The mollusk then deposits nacre around the foreign object, developing a pearl. Different mollusk species and cultivation techniques result in various types of pearls, including freshwater pearls, saltwater pearls, akoya pearls, South Sea pearls, and Tahitian pearls, each with distinct characteristics of color, size, and luster. The quality of a pearl is assessed based on its size, shape, color, surface quality, and luster. Responsible pearl production practices often prioritize the health of the mollusks and their environment.