perles

Perles is the plural form of perle in French and, in that language, commonly refers to pearls. Pearls are hard, rounded gems produced primarily inside mollusks such as oysters and mussels. They form when an irritant or nucleus becomes coated with nacre, a layer of calcium carbonate and organic proteins. Natural pearls are rare; most pearls used in jewelry are cultured, created by inserting a bead or tissue into the mollusk to stimulate nacre deposition.

Pearls are valued for their luster, often described as orient, and for their smooth, albeit microscopically imperfect, surface. They vary in size, shape, color, and origin. Common varieties include Akoya (saltwater), South Sea, and Tahitian pearls, each with characteristic hues ranging from white and cream to gold, pink, or greenish tones.

Historically, pearls have been prized since antiquity and appear in many cultures as symbols of purity, wealth, and wisdom. They have been traded along ancient routes and remain a significant segment of the gemstone market. Prices depend on size, luster, surface quality, and shape; large, round, blemish-free pearls command the highest values.

Cultivation and industry: pearl farming employs mollusks to produce cultured pearls, often in dedicated aquaculture settings. Production has grown in countries such as China, Japan, and Australia, among others.

Care and use: due to their relative softness, pearls can be damaged by acids, oils, and scratching. They are best stored separately from other jewelry and cleaned with a soft cloth after wear.

Perles also appears as a general term in French-language texts to denote multiple pearls and, in some cases, as a place name or title.