f0461dd7_Pearl_Types___AJU__Description
[Pearl Type] Cultured [Description] 
A salt water cultured pearl is one in which a bead nucleus is inserted into a mollusk to provide a structure for the pearl's formation. Mantle tissue inserted with the bead begins the pearl sac formation. Calcium carbonate, crystallizing as aragonite, bound by conchiolin, deposits around the bead in overlapping layers creating a nacreous coating. Most freshwater cultured pearls have only donor mantle implanted to start the pearl process.
Pearl Types - AJU