Pearl farming

Pearl Farming

The formation of all pearls is inseparable from two processes and one decision

Foreign body invasion, or
If it cannot be rejected, it will secrete pearl layer

The only difference between natural pearls and cultured pearls is that cultured pearls have a human element.

Introduction to Pearl Farming

Pearls are natural organic gemstones. It takes at least ten months to breed this gemstone in Hong Kong. In foreign countries, it takes up to two years to harvest. In order to cultivate beautiful and shiny pearls, each pearl oyster must first undergo a "nucleus insertion" procedure similar to artificial insemination. Then, the pearl oyster secretes the nacre every day to form pearls.

Since the pearls grow in an environment rich in nutrients and good water quality, a variety of organisms will also attach to the surface of the oysters. This will hinder the health and growth of the pearl oysters. In order to ensure health, the surface of the oysters must be cleaned every week to remove the attached organisms, provide a good environment, and breed beautiful pearls. After ten months of care, it is finally time to harvest pearls. Each pearl also has a unique color and luster. And each pearl, like a person, is unique.

Basic steps of pearl culture

Pearl cultivation methods are similar all over the world. Human factors are important, but it also depends on the local climate and environment, as well as the health of the mother of pearl, in order to have a chance to successfully breed beautiful pearls.

Depending on the type of pearl, it can generally take from half a year to more than that.

There are three main activities in pearl farming:

Colonize into bead nucleus
Cleaning Shells
Pearl Harvest

1. Colonize into bead nucleus

Inserting the pearl nucleus is the first step in pearl culture. This step involves implanting two elements—the pearl nucleus and the cell sheet—into the mother-of-pearl.

The ability of a pearl inserting technician will directly affect whether the pearl nucleus can be effectively implanted into the pearl sac (reproductive nest) of the mother-of-pearl. If the skill is not good enough, the pearl nucleus will be rejected or inserted into the wrong place, resulting in failure of cultivation. Cell sheet, in simple terms, is the DNA of the pearl. Without this cell sheet, the mother-of-pearl cannot be effectively stimulated to secrete the nacre.

2. Clean the shells

In the twelve months of the year, different species of organisms will attach to the surface of the Fritillaria according to different seasons. It seems harmless, but over time, too many organisms attach to the surface and make it difficult for the Fritillaria to eat and grow. There is also a chance that some organisms will chronically damage the Fritillaria, causing illness and death. To maintain health, the Fritillaria should be cleaned once a month on average. Since these organisms only appear when the climate is mild, they do not need to be cleaned in winter or severe summer. When the water temperature is below 13 degrees Celsius or above 28 degrees, the Fritillaria's body function will be very poor. It is better not to do anything to the Fritillaria at that time.

3. Pearl Harvest

Winter is the best time to harvest pearls, because the pearl layer is the most beautiful at that time. But how much can be harvested? And how many of them can be used as jewelry? The triangle below can explain the approximate proportion of each harvest. During the harvest, each pearl is taken out of the mother-of-pearl. The shell can be used as a delicious food, the shell can be used as a work of art, and the pearl will naturally become jewelry.