Hemmingmoore's
Pearls

Pearls are unlike any other gem — they are not mined from the earth but grown inside a living mollusk, layer by patient layer of nacre, the same iridescent substance that lines the inside of the shell. Natural pearls form around a microscopic irritant without any human help at all; cultured pearls begin when a skilled technician introduces a tiny bead or piece of tissue into the oyster, and nature does the rest.

The world's four great pearl varieties each carry a distinct character. Akoya pearls — cultivated in the waters of Japan and China — are the classic white or cream pearl most people picture, prized for their mirror-like lustre and near-perfect rounds. South Sea pearls, from the warm waters of Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, are the largest of all cultured pearls, ranging from silver-white to deep gold, with a satiny glow that comes from exceptionally thick nacre.

Tahitian pearls — grown in the black-lipped oysters of French Polynesia — are the world's only naturally dark pearls, displaying extraordinary overtones of peacock green, aubergine, and blue across their grey and black surfaces. And freshwater pearls, primarily from China's lakes and rivers, offer the widest variety of shapes, sizes, and soft pastel colors at the most accessible prices.

At Hemmingmoore's, we carry loose pearls in every variety — individual specimens, matched sets, and finished strands — plus select original pearl jewelry. Whether you're starting a collection or adding to one.