The facts
What natural Pearl actually is
Mineralogically, natural Pearl is nacre formed without human intervention around an irritant inside a wild pearl oyster, chiefly Pinctada radiata and P. persica — Aragonite CaCO3 approx. 82-86%, conchiolin 10-14%, water, crystallising in the aggregate (orthorhombic aragonite in concentric nacre) system.
The colour is caused by conchiolin pigments and thin-film interference between nacre platelets (orient). That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.52-1.69, and the specific gravity sits near 2.68-2.78; cleavage is none.
Where natural Pearl comes from
The recognised sources are Al-Zakhnuniya and the Bahrain banks, Arabian Gulf, Qatar and Abu Dhabi banks, Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Mannar, Sri Lanka and India and Broome, Western Australia (historic).
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How natural Pearl is treated
Value depends on being untreated, and X-ray or X-ray computed microtomography is the only reliable proof of natural origin - visual identification is not sufficient and any serious stone should carry a Gubelin, SSEF, GIA or DANAT report. Bahrain prohibits the sale of cultured pearls domestically, which is worth knowing when trading there. No CITES. Bleaching, dyeing and filling are disqualifying for a natural pearl at auction level.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What natural Pearl is confused with
The usual confusions are Cultured pearls, especially non-beaded freshwater, Keshi pearls and Imitation (glass with fish-scale essence, Majorica).
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.52-1.69 and specific gravity 2.68-2.78 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What natural Pearl is used for
Natural Pearl is bought by jewellery and mineral collecting — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat or by the specimen.
Durability and care
Natural Pearl is 2.5-4 on the Mohs scale, with none cleavage.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What natural Pearl costs
Indicative pricing for natural Pearl is Highly size-dependent: $500-5,000 per pearl for small Gulf pearls; fine matched strands $100,000 to several million.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is natural Pearl treated, and how?
Value depends on being untreated, and X-ray or X-ray computed microtomography is the only reliable proof of natural origin - visual identification is not sufficient and any serious stone should carry a Gubelin, SSEF, GIA or DANAT report. Bahrain prohibits the sale of cultured pearls domestically, which is worth knowing when trading there. No CITES. Bleaching, dyeing and filling are disqualifying for a natural pearl at auction level.
Where does natural Pearl come from?
Al-Zakhnuniya and the Bahrain banks, Arabian Gulf, Qatar and Abu Dhabi banks, Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Mannar, Sri Lanka and India and Broome, Western Australia (historic). Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is natural Pearl hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 2.5-4 on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does natural Pearl cost?
Indicatively Highly size-dependent: $500-5,000 per pearl for small Gulf pearls; fine matched strands $100,000 to several million. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is natural Pearl confused with?
Most often Cultured pearls, especially non-beaded freshwater, Keshi pearls and Imitation (glass with fish-scale essence, Majorica). A refractive index of 1.52-1.69 and a specific gravity near 2.68-2.78 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for natural pearl?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about natural pearl