Natural Pearl (Moti) in Pakistan

How pearls form, and what "natural" and "cultured" mean

A pearl begins when a mollusc coats an irritant with layers of nacre, a mix of calcium carbonate and protein. A natural pearl forms entirely by chance and is very rare today; the historic pearl beds of the Gulf produced the famous "Basra" pearls valued across South Asia. A cultured pearl forms the same way, but a farmer places the starting nucleus or tissue inside the mollusc. Cultured pearls are real pearls made of real nacre, and they make up most of the market. Our listings state whether a pearl is natural or cultured whenever this is known.

The five value factors

1. Lustre - the sharpness and brightness of reflections on the surface. This is the most important quality; a high-lustre pearl looks alive, a low-lustre one looks chalky.
2. Surface - fewer spots, bumps and wrinkles mean a higher grade.
3. Shape - perfectly round pearls are the rarest; near-round, oval, button and baroque shapes are more affordable and have their own charm.
4. Colour and overtone - white, cream, pink, silver and grey are common; a subtle rosy or silvery overtone adds appeal.
5. Size - larger pearls of equal quality cost more.

Each listing's price is for that individual pearl, and the per-carat rate is price divided by carat weight.

Freshwater or saltwater?

Freshwater pearls, grown in mussels, come in many shapes and soft pastel colours and are usually more affordable. Saltwater pearls, grown in oysters, often show a sharper lustre and rounder shapes. Both are genuine pearls.

Is it a real pearl?

The traditional tooth test still helps: rub the pearl gently along the edge of your front teeth. Real pearl feels slightly gritty; glass, plastic and coated "shell" imitations feel smooth and glassy. Under magnification, real nacre shows fine, maze-like ridges, and imitations often have coating peeling around the drill hole. A certificate of authenticity is available on request, and independent lab testing can be arranged; telling natural from cultured needs a lab.

Moti in tradition

Pearl is the June birthstone. In Vedic astrology Moti is the stone of the Moon (Chandra) and traditionally worn for calm, patience and emotional balance. These are beliefs rather than guaranteed effects, so consult an astrologer if you are wearing it for that purpose.

Caring for pearls

Pearls are soft (about 2.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale) and sensitive to acids. Put them on after perfume and make-up, wipe them with a soft cloth after wearing, keep them away from chemicals and store them separately in a soft pouch.

Buying pearls from GemStore

We inspect every pearl and photograph it honestly. Delivery is by insured, tracked courier to every city in Pakistan, and Cash on Delivery lets you open the parcel and check the pearl before paying. Unused items can be returned within 7 days of delivery. For a Moon stone with a sheen, see our moonstone collection.