LuckPearl provides the most beautiful pearl jewelries. For most people, the shape of a pearl is usually associated with the sphere. However this is not the only option. The pearl forms in the body of the living creature, and many factors, like quality of water, nutritious, climate, affect it. Additionally, the "core" may have non-spheric size, which maters, too. As the result, the shape of the pearl is always unique and interesting.
Lets also mention, that if the freshwater pearl is formed inside the mussel's body, it will be as well as the pearl, while if it is formed between the body and the shell, it will be more like a bump on the shell inner side. The shape of the cultivated pearl is more predictable, as it corresponds, more or less, to the shape of the core that people use as an irritant.
When describing the shape of a pearl, experts use three main categories.
a) Spherical. The pearl is shaped as, or almost as a sphere. This is the "classical" shape, most popular and expensive.
b) Symmetrical. If you cut this pearl in half, both halves will look like the mirror reflection of each other.
c) Baroque (this word means "unusual", "artificially unusual"). This type is used to describe all other shapes of the pearl.
The other system uses seven sub-categories.
1) Round. Absolutely spherical, ideal form, this is what most people think of, when they talk about pearl. As it is rare and the most beautiful, it is the most expensive.
2) Semi-round. An imperfect sphere. The pearl is a bit squeezed or stretched, however the deformation is barely noticeable. This pearl looks nice and can e classified as spherical (if we use the previous classification).
3) Oval. The pearl is oval in shape, it can also be classified as symmetrical.
4) Button. The pearl looks like a drop of water on a surface, spherical on one side, flat on the other. It is often used to make pearl earrings.
5) Drop. One side is spherical, another one is shaped as a cone. The cone can be "long" or "short", depending on proportions of a pearl. This pearl makes earrings, too, and can be classified as symmetrical.
6) Semi-baroque. A little bit imperfect shape. It could be an oval, button or drop, but not quite, due to the imperfection. It can also be classified as a baroque.
7) Baroque. A "strange" shape. Anything, including shapes of a man, tree, curved stick or nothing whatsoever. Imperfect pearls that remind something (frog, horse...) are called "paragons" and used to create unique jewelry.
The shape of pearl is one of the most important criteria determining its price. As the mater of fact, it can increase their price more than you can imagine. Generally speaking, spherical or almost spherical pearl is the most expensive, as it is rare. Symmetric shapes are usually more popular than baroque. However, as have already been mentioned, baroque pearls can be unique in shape and very beautiful, which makes them valuable, too.