Seed Pearls and Scallop Pearls

Seed Pearls
Seed pearls are very tiny pearls with a diameter as small as 3 to 4 mm. These pearls are harvested from Gonad of Mother oysters. They are very small like poppy seeds. Finished pearls are very small and formed without any man-made nucleus. During cultivation, a foreign particle enters a mother oyster it becomes the core of the pearl. Seed pearls usually do not have a particular size as it is depends on the shape of the foreign matter. One can say that they are flawless; they may have minor ride lines which are barely visible. Seed pearls are often used with diamonds for decorations.

Seed pearls are imported mostly from India and China. These pearls are strung in silk or horsehair. Seed pearls are popular from the last century as they are delicate and almost look lace-like. They are used to make all kinds of jewelry from necklaces to brooches.

Scallop Pearls

Scallop pearls are non nacreous pearls, like conch pearls. These are harvested from bivalve mollusks known as “Mano de Leon” or “Pacific Lion’s Paw”. This bivalve is native to the coastal region of Central and North America.

Scallop pearls have an amazing coloration and unique shape. These pearls are usually symmetrical in various shapes like oval, drop, round or button shape. Scallop pearls found in size range of seed to 40 carats. Scallop pearls have unique colors among all pearls and calcareous concentration like rare maroon to plum coloration also sometimes found in deep purple and orange and pink colors.

These pearls have a unique 3D effect with a reflective surface of pearls giving the pearls a flash effect and making it more striking, similar to flame the effect in Conch pearls. Scallop pearls are very rare and are taken as a bi-product of the wild harvested scallops. Due to the rarity of this beautiful gem, it is very expensive.