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Answer Believe it or not oysters do not actually create what most consider pearls. Pearls are created by bivalve mollusks from the family Bivalvia. True oysters are from the family Ostreidae and are not known for producing pearls. A natural pearl is primarily induced for two reasons: a parasite may burrow into the mantle tissue of a mollusk or the mollusk shell may sustain damage, damaging the mantle tissue. For sake of explanation I will stick to the parasite method. The parasite burrows into the soft tissue of the mollusk, typically through the shell. It becomes lodged in the mantle tissue. This tissue contains cells known as epithelial. These cells grow a sac around the intruder and then begin layering it with platelets composed of aragonite and calcite. This is the chemical composition of nacre. A pearl is composed of nacre.
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoA pearl is made up of layers and layers of a substance called nacre - calcium carbonate and protein.
The thicker the nacre is, the more durable and valuable the pearl. The average thickness of a cultured pearl's nacre ranges from 1mm to 3mm.
A pearl forms in nature when an irritant, like a piece of sand or parasite, gets into in the mantle tissue of certain types of oysters, mussels, or clams. To protect itself from the irritant, the mollusk secretes a fluid to coat the irritant. That coating is nacre. Layer upon layer of this nacre coating is deposited around the irritant, and after a few years, this build up of nacre forms a lustrous pearl.
Cultured pearls are formed by the same process, except for the fact that an irritant, such as a bead or piece of shell, is surgically implanted.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoWell, they are famous aren't they and it makes them healthier!
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Where do oyster get their shells?
by a tiny grain of sand actually, they're not. the PEARLS are formed by a tiny grain of sand.
How do you use bivalves in a sentence?
Bivalves are a class of mollusks consisting of over 15,000 species of clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops. A sample sentence is "Bivalves like clams use pressure to produce pearls within their shells. "
How are pearls cultivated?
AnswersMollusks from the family Bivalvia produce pearls. Oysters, from the family Osteridae, do not produce pearls; a common misconception.Say hi to Mr.Terrel for me!
What can you use pearls for besides jewelry?
you can use pearls for jewelry and decoration pieces
Your Pearl Earrings: What Kind of Pearls Are Those?
Pearls begin their existence as a grain of sand, irritating a mollusk�s soft internal tissues; in an effort to neutralize that irritation, the bivalve begins secreting calcium carbonate. Every mollusk can produce pearl-like objects in this manner, but the iridescent white gems we use in jewelry are produced by a family of mollusks called pearl oysters. There are fresh water pearl oysters and saltwater pearl oysters; salt-water pearls are rounder and larger, and generally command higher prices. Other criteria that determine the value of a pearl include the gem�s size, shape, symmetry, luster and color. Pearls come naturally in a variety of colors including white, cream, silver grey and black. Today, the majority of pearls used in jewelry are cultured pearls in which pre-formed beads are inserted into the oyster. Some less expensive cultured pearls implant beads that are fully sized so that all the oyster is used for is a few final layers of nacre. Some cultured pearls don't use oysters at all, but instead implant the irritant in cells cultured from the mollusk�s mantle; the majority of Chinese cultured pearls on the market today are made in this fashion. The three most popular types of cultured pearls are the Tahitian, Akoya and South Sea varieties. Tahitian cultured pearls are the most expensive of the trio: They reflect the colors of the stormy ocean from black to grayish green, and are larger and far more symmetrical than other types of cultured pearls. Akoya cultured pearls are symmetrical, saltwater pearls in lustrous shades of cream through pink, farmed in the Yellow Sea off China and the Sea of Japan off Japan. Finally, South Sea cultured pearls come from the waters off Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines; these pearls are more irregularly shaped and can be found in all different colors from white to black. Because they are so fragile, pearls require special care. Pearls are easily damaged by heat and chemicals so if they become dirty, never clean them with harsh detergents; instead use a lukewarm solution of water and mild soap. Never wear your pearls when you�re bathing, showering or exercising; wipe your pearls with a lint-free cloth when you take them off. Finally, finish your beauty routine completely before you put on your pearls: Additives in hair spray and beauty creams can damage them.
What techinques do Japanese pearl divers use?
they go 100 feet down into the ocean and collect pearl oysters and mussels and then bring them up onto the shore in wooden barrels and open them up and search for pearls inside them.
What is a collective noun for the word pearls?
The choice of plurals are "pearls of storm", "pearl of storms", or "pearls of storms". The choice depends on the context in which you use the term.
Where do you find pearls?
Pearls are generally found naturally in mollusks from the fourth class of the Mollusca phylum, bivalvia. These pearl-producing mollusks are often called "pearl oysters," even though they aren't oysters in the strictest sense.Cultured pearls are grown in a variety of different mollusks and mussels.akoya - Pinctada fucata martensiiTahitian (black South Sea) - Pinctada margaritaferaSouth Sea - Pinctada maximaRainbow lip - Pteria sternaFreshwater - Hyriopsis cumingi, Hyriopsis schlegeli, a hybrid of the two and Cristaria plicata mussels.
Use pearls in a sentence?
Do not cast your pearls before swine. She is known for her pearls of wisdom. Some pearls I've seen are six inches in diameter.
What are the uses for ender pearls in Minecraft?
Currently there is no use for Ender pearls. There will be a use for them in the future, but we do not know what that use is at this time. However, there are user made mods to Minecraft that allow you to craft objects with Ender pearls.
What can you use a pearl for?
you can get big and small pearls and big pearls are worth more, and you can't use them you just sell them for money.
How do oysters stay attached at the rocks?
Oysters use their retractable foot to stay attached at the rocks and will hold on tightly if you attempt to move them. Oysters can be found in the ocean.
