Ever since around 600 B.C.E., people from all around the globe have been wearing pearls. So much so that there are types of pearl oysters that went extinct from over harvesting. Thankfully with modern technology, pearls are flourishing all over the world again. But, how are pearls even formed? Is it Mother Nature? It is magic? Well it turns out that that it’s a bit of both!

Oysters are a type of mollusk and have two shells. In each shell is a layer of protective covering for the organs, which is called the mantle. When something intrudes between the mantle and shell, whether it be a parasite or sand, the oyster will start to produce a product called “nacre”. Nacre is often referred to as “Mother of Pearl” because the material is made out of microscopic crystals of calcium carbonate. Layers of the nacre will start to coat and “attack” the irritant, causing it to create an iridescent gem; a pearl. Depending on the size of the pearl, the time it takes to develop the gem differs, but around 6 months is the average time.