What is a pearl?
As products of living animals, pearls are unique gems. In size, shape and even colour, pearls exist in a stunning diversity of forms. Pearls are gems that form inside a living seawater or freshwater mollusc, commonly known as oysters or mussels. The evolutionary history of these creatures date back some 530 million with approximately 100,000 species alive today.
Naturally occurring pearls were once found all around the world, however they have become very rare due to overfishing and pollution, they are now only found in approximately one of every 10,000 molluscs.
Pearls come in an incredible number of sizes, shapes and colours. This is due to the unique conditions under which pearls form, environmental influences and often human ingenuity all play a part in creating the diversity we see in pearls today.
Walker & Hall offer a wide range of pearls for any occasion; from the accessible freshwater pearls, the classic Akoya to the opulent South Sea varieties.