A Comprehensive Guide to

Pearl Variety.

Keshi pearls:

The word "Keshi" in Japanese means "poppy seed". This is the common term used to identify a pearl that is produced by the oyster trough the use of the grafting technique, but in this case, the oyster got rid of the nucleus, by expelling it, but the mantle tissue survived and eventually formed a baroque shaped pearl with no nucleus inside of it. The nucleus acts as a "shape guider" for the pearl sac, and with nothing to "guide its actions" the oyster does as best as it can.

The main difference between a Keshi and a (nucleated) cultured pearl is the absence of a nucleus (bead). The difference between a cultured and a natural pearl is basically the same. So, are a keshis and natural pearls the same thing? No. A keshi is a cultured pearl. Within its core you will find a sizeable quantity of decaying organic matter (remains from the oyster's gonad), whereas a natural pearl has the decaying body of an intruder (and usually it is much smaller).

Keshis come in different size, shapes and coloration, and are specially sought after by those that seek a refreshing new look in their jewelry designs.

Last Updated 05/2007

All Page Design, text, photos and content by Douglas McLaurin.