Natural Pearl Production

Table of Contents

About Natural Pearls

Natural pearl farming involves the cultivation of pearls through sustainable methods in freshwater or marine environments.
Pearls are the only gemstones in the world that come from a living creature.
Mollusks such as oysters and mussels produce pearls.
States Practicing Pearl Farming: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha, Kerala, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Goa and Tripura.
Advantages of Pearl Farming: Alternate source of income for farmers, Low Environmental Impact, Employment Opportunities & Promotes Eco-Tourism

Selection of Mollusks
- Marine pearl oysters (e.g., Pinctada species) and freshwater mussels are commonly used.
- The mollusks must be healthy and suitable for culturing.
Seeding/Grafting Process
- A small irritant, typically a bead or tissue, is introduced into the mollusk.
- This process stimulates the secretion of nacre (the material that forms the pearl).
Culturing Period
- The mollusks are placed in controlled environments such as cages or rafts in water bodies.
- The cultivation period ranges from 6 months to several years, depending on the type of pearl and environmental conditions.
Harvesting
- Pearls are carefully extracted without damaging the mollusk.
- High-quality pearls are sorted and graded based on size, shape, color, and luster.
Post-Harvest Processing
- Pearls may undergo cleaning, polishing, and grading before being marketed.