They are produced in great abundance, and are therefore generally the most moderately priced of all cultured pearl varieties. Their unique shapes and gentle pastel colors make them perfect gems for those on a budget. Mabe pearls are hemispherical cultured pearls grown against the inside shell of any oyster rather than within the oyster's body. They are generally used in ring, earring and pendant settings which cover their flat backs or reverse side. Keshi pearls Also known as seed pearls, these tiny pearls can be as small as a grain of sand and form accidentally in many cultured pearl oysters.
Baroque pearls are cultured pearls that are irregularly-shaped, yet often lustrous and appealing.
Due to their shapes, baroque pearls are often less costly than round, cultured pearls. Your reflection should be seen clearly on the surface of a pearl. Any pearl that looks too chalky or dull indicates low quality. The crystalline substance secreted by an oyster to form a pearl. Cleanliness of the pearl surface refers to the absence of disfiguring spots, bumps or cracks.