Keshi pearls - nature’s mysterious creations
Pearls are the only jewels in the world created by a living animal.
In the enchanting world of jewellery, pearls hold a special place as nature's finest gems. Among these, Keshi pearls stand as intriguing enigmas. Despite their rebellious nature and ambiguous classification, Keshi pearls exude an imperfect charm that adds mystery to any look, equally suitable for both aesthetic minimalists and those who love opulence.
What are Keshi pearls?
Imagine pearls that are rebels by nature, uniquely non-conformist and born accidentally during the pearl culturing process. Keshi pearls are like that. They come into being when oysters decide to reject the implanted nucleus or when the implanted mantle tissue fractures. This leads to the formation of pearl sacs without nuclei (the pearl's 'heart'), ultimately creating slightly less perfect, more textured and non-nucleated pearls. The name "Keshi" comes from the Japanese word for poppy seed, a fitting tribute to their tiny and poppy-seed-like appearance.
Tahitian black pearls
Also known as black South Sea pearls or black pearls, these are highly prized for their exotic colours and brilliant lustre. Unlike other pearl types, Tahitian pearls come in a wide range of overtones, including peacock green, silver green, blue, and eggplant, among others. They’re cultivated by the Pinctada Margaritifera oyster, found exclusively in Tahiti and other French Polynesian islands.
The science of Keshi pearls
Natural pearls, just like Keshi pearls, form due to an oyster's defence mechanism. When an irritant enters the oyster, it triggers an inflammatory reaction from the mantle tissue. The oyster then covers the irritant with layers of lustrous nacre, creating a natural pearl. In the pearl culturing process, farmers manually introduce foreign bodies into the oysters to initiate pearl formation. Keshi pearls, however, come into being when the culturing process takes an unexpected turn, leading to the rejection of the nucleus. Despite lacking a nucleus, Keshi pearls still manage to form erratically, resulting in their diverse array of shapes and sizes.
The Keshi pearl conundrum
Some jewellery experts argue that since Keshi pearls lack a nucleus, they cannot be considered real cultured pearls. Instead, they are seen as fortunate by-products of the pearl culturing process, boasting a unique status in the jewellery market. In the quest for large-sized, perfectly round pearls, farmers have implemented a meticulous selection process.
Oysters that show any signs of abnormalities are swiftly eliminated to ensure only the most perfect, uniform pearls prevail. This cautious approach makes Keshi pearls quite rare in today's market.
Keshi pearls vs. Baroque pearls
Now, let's clear up the confusion between Keshi pearls and Baroque pearls. Baroque pearls refer solely to the shape of the pearl, encompassing all irregularly shaped pearls. On the other hand, Keshi pearls are all about their formation process, born from the rejection of the nucleus during pearl culturing.
Other pearl types
Akoya Pearls: Classic cultured pearls known for their perfectly spherical shape and natural white tones. Produced through a refined process by Mikimoto, Japan and Australia are major sources of these pearls.
Freshwater Pearls: Grown in mussels, not oysters, in lakes and rivers. Recent advances improved their roundness and clarity, offering a budget-friendly rival to Akoya pearls. They are available in various shapes and sizes, making them popular for everyday wear.
Tahitian Pearls: Exotic dark-coloured pearls from larger black-lipped oysters in Tahiti and French Polynesia. Rare and highly valuable, they come in shades of grey, blue, green, copper, and purple.
South Sea Pearls: Luxurious and sought-after pearls from large white-lipped and gold-lipped oysters in Indonesia, the Philippines, and northern Australia. Known for their size and lustre, they come in various valuable shapes, with perfectly round, deep golden pearls being highly prized.
Taking care of pearls
As with any natural treasure, proper care is essential to maintain the lustre and beauty of your pearls. Here are some expert tips to keep your pearls radiant for years to come:
Avoid Chemical Exposure: Pearls are sensitive to chemicals found in perfumes, hairsprays, and lotions. Apply these products before wearing your pearls to prevent any potential damage.
Clean Gently: Use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently wipe your pearls after wearing to remove any oils or dirt. Avoid using harsh cleaning materials that could harm the nacre.
Store Separately: Keep your pearls in a soft pouch or separate compartment to prevent scratching against other jewellery pieces.
Remove Before Water Activities: Chlorine and other chemicals found in swimming pools can harm the nacre and silk used to string pearls. Take off your pearls before swimming or showering to preserve their beauty.
Natural pearls are created in the ocean. It can take more than 100,000 of these deep-sea-living creatures to make just one strand of pearls.