Keshi Pearls

Wow, what can I say? I've just received some white Keshi (Keishi) pearls from China and they are absolutely stunning. They're shaped like petals and will look lovely as part of a bridal jewellery set.

Normally a pearl is formed when a piece of shell or other foreign object becomes embedded in a molusc (such as an oyster) to form a nucleus. This causes an infection and the oyster forms a protective layer (nacre) to stop the irritation. The nacre continues to be formed layer upon layer, as long as the oyster is alive, and this is how pearls are created.

In the case of the Keshi pearl, there are two ways that the pearl can form. The first way occurs when the oyster rejects and spits out the substance – the nucleus – before it has a chance to develop. The second way a Keshi pearl can occur is when the nucleus fractures and forms two separate pearl sacs – that is, circles of nacre – neither with a nucleus. Eventually, one or two nucleus-less pearls will usually form.

Keshi pearls are not classed as natural pearls as they are a by-product of the culturing process. However, they are now fairly rare because most pearl farmers now x-ray their oysters to allow them to re-nucleate the oyster should it be found to have expelled the nucleus. Their rarity means that Keshi pearls are now considered to be exceptional and are highly desirable.

I can't wait to work with the beautiful pearls I have just received.