Avant Pearl Glossary Akoya Cultured Pearl - Any pearl grown in the Pinctada fucata oyster. The akoya pearls are primarily cultured in Japanese waters where the cooler temperatures are thought to be responsible for their incredible luster. Akoya pearls continue to define the standard for the classical pearl necklace. Baroque - An irregular pearl that is non-symmetrical in shape. Often have higher luster and orient (iridescences) then smooth-surfaced pearls. May be used by jewelry designers for unique pendants, brooches and other designs. Biwa Pearl - Any freshwater cultured pearl grown in Lake Biwa, Japan. Industrial pollution all but eliminated pearl culturing from the region. Lake Kasumigaura farmers have been attempting to restore what was lost in Lake Biwa. Blister Pearl - A blister pearl results when a shape is glued to the inner shell and the nacre is allowed to form over it. When harvested, any interesting shape may be carved around the dome to incorporate into jewelry designs. Bodycolor - The dominant color of a pearl. Although you see a rainbow of colors in a black Tahitian pearl, its bodycolor is black. Button Pearl - Symmetrical, round, flattened or semi-flattened pearl. May be circled. May have a high dome or a low dome. Chinese Cultured Freshwater Pearl - Any pearl grown in the Hyriopsis cumingi mussel. These pearls come in an amazing array of natural colors in an assortment of shapes and sizes. Over the years, culturing techniques have improved the quality of these pearls to the point where they are almost as grand as akoyas! Choker - A necklace 14-16 inches (36 - 40 cm) in length. Circled - The groove or ridge around a pearl. A circled pearl may have one or more circles around its circumference. Circles do not add or detract from its value. Circles are a matter of personal taste. They are as unique as any other pearl characteristic. Collar - A necklace that fits against the neck, usually 12-13 inches (30-33 cm) in length. Cultured Pearl - A pearl that is formed with the assistance of a human, for example, inserting a bead and mantle tissue sample to stimulate the growth of a pearl within the mullosk. Enhancer - A piece of jewelry you can add to your pearl strand to change the look. Full-Drilled - A pearl that has a hole all the way through. The pearl has been drilled from both sides using a specially-aligned drill. These pearls are used for jewelry such as necklaces or looped earrings. Half-Drilled - A pearl that has a hole only half way through. These pearls are used for jewelry such as earrings and pendants. Hue - What catches your eye the first time you see a pearl. The basic color of the pearl. Imitation - A gem made to look like the natural gem. Imitation pearls exist. They may be glass beads or colored enamel. Some imitations are quite good. Quality imitations are a reasonable substitute allowing you to build your high-end pearl wardrobe piece at a time. Majorica S.A. is one such company. Make sure you buy your imitations from a reputable dealer! Keishi - Japanese for 'poppyseed.' Odd-shaped pearls full of luster and orient (iridescence). Often fall into shapes like petals, sticks, and other near-baroque shapes. Mabé - An assembled pearl consisting of a nacre dome, an epoxy-filled center with a mother-of-pearl backing. These pearls have been popular where a large pearl is desired, for clip earrings or a pendant, for example. Matinee - A necklace 20-24 inches (51-61 cm) in length. Mussel - Pearl producing two-shelled mollusk living in freshwater. Nacre - The substance that makes a pearl a pearl. This is the natural substance secreted by the mollusk to make pearl and mother-of-pearl. Nacre is layered, consisting of the mineral aragonite (a form of calcium carbonate) and conchiolin. The thickness of nacre is one of the quality factors of the pearl. Natural Pearl - Any pearl that is formed without human assistance. Near-Round Pearl - A symmetrical pearl that is close to round, but you can visually tell that it is not round. Opera - A necklace 30-36 inches (76-91 cm) in length. Orient - The iridescent, rainbow effect that some pearls display. Oval Pearl - A pearl that is symmetrical, round at the bottom, but definitely oblong in shape. Overtone - An overlay of color displayed by high-quality pearls. For example, black Tahitian pearls often show an overtone of rosé and green. White akoya pearls of finest quality show overtones of rosé. Oyster - Pearl producing two-shelled mollusk living in saltwater. Princess - A necklace 17-19 inches (43-48 cm) in length. Rope - A necklace over 36 inches (91 cm). Rosé - The pink overtone of a pearl. Round Pearl - A symmetrical pearl that appears round to the eye. Semi-Baroque Pearl - A non-symmetrical pearl that is slightly off-round, off-oval, off-button, but not so irregular as to be baroque. South Sea Cultured Pearl - The 'Big Daddy' of the pearl family is grown in the Pinctada maxima in the tranquil waters off the northwestern Australia, the Philippines and Myanmar. These beautiful moon-like orbs are a spectacular addition to any wardrobe. Station Necklace - A necklace with pearls or beads positioned at regular intervals along a chain, cord, or wire. Synthetic - A man-made gem that has the same properties as the natural gem. There are synthetic diamonds. There are no synthetic pearls! Tahitian Cultured Pearl - Any pearl grown in the Pinctada margaritifera oyster. Although called a Tahitian pearl, the oyster is grown throughout French Polynesia. The beautiful black Tahitian pearl is the standard although the colors aubergine, peacock and pistachio are making a big splash in fashion. Tooth Test - Yes, it's true! You can tell the difference between pearls and imitation pearls by gently rubbing them against your teeth. Be sure to do this with a pearl that won't show because this will leave a mark on your pearl. A real pearl (natural or cultured) is softer than tooth enamel. Torsade - A necklace of individual strands twisted together. Twin Pearls - Sometimes when two seeds in the mussel get too close together they will fuse and grow into the same pearl. These become twins. They look a little like popcorn kernels. Twin pearls are rare, accidents. The larger they are, the more unique they are.