Pearls - the earliest and most treasured jewel in all cultures of the world. Crafted by living creatures, pearls are unique creations in the gemstone kingdom. Saltwater Pearls are cultured in oysters whereas Freshwater Pearls are cultured in mussels living in the fresh waters of rivers and lakes. Freshwater Pearls exhibit a rainbow variety of color and hue . . . creamy white, pale pink and peach, peacock vivid greens and blues, mother of pearl purpled hues, soft champagne and many more lovely colors. Shape, size and color vary according to culturing procedures - variations in the original implanted material (creating traditional or unusual shapes), environmental factors such as rough or calm waters (contributing to smoother or lined surfaces), and even mineral implants which affect color. Some pearls are dyed or heat treated after culturing to achieve the more vivid colors. Many Freshwater Pearls have thicker layers of “nacre” than their saltwater counterparts because they are left in the mussels for longer development. Nacre is the pearly substance a mussel or oyster secretes to coat the implant used in culturing pearls. A thicker coating of nacre gives pearls more luster and a longer life since the pearl coating wears down over time. Quality pearl strands should be knotted between each pearl on silk thread. This adds a luxurious suppleness to the strand while also protecting them from rubbing against one another or scattering should the strand break. Pearls have been a treasured part of many ceremonies throughout time and across cultures. They were early valuables in trading cultures, Native American ceremonial wear, worn in strands and sewn onto clothing by European royalty, an elegant accent to bridal gowns and a centerpiece in any woman’s jewelry collection. Excerpt from Karen Brennan's “Wild Desire . . . "Carolyn tosses her tennis racket into a green dumpster. . . (She) is wearing a cute little tennis tutu and pearls. Her white blonde hair is tied back with a pink ribbon. She is Biff's wife. She has thrown out her racket because she is sick to death of tennis and all the accouterments of tennis which she now considers hollow and unfulfilling. With this gesture - throwing the tennis racket into the green dumpster - she is starting a new life. A life with passion. Angrily, she pulls the pink ribbon from her white blonde hair and hurls it into the dumpster after the tennis racket. Then her shoes and socks and, what the hell, the tutu, the sleeveless tee shirt, the matching Christian Dior bra and panties. In the end, all she has on are pearls."     
 Radiance by Kay Crista about pearls