Baroque Pearls are pearls with erratic, unbalanced, asymmetrical, non-spherical and free-form shapes. Their forms can show minor irregularities or they can be noticeably ovoid, curved or lumpy. They can also look like a stick or a cross. The shape of a baroque pearl is caused by disproportionate deposits of nacre around the nucleus.
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The most prevalent type of these pearls are baroque freshwater pearls. Less than ten percent of freshwater pearls are round. Vast majority are baroque. Furthermore, saltwater, cultured and natural pearls can all come in baroque shapes. Even some Akoya pearls, renowned for their round shapes, do come in baroque shapes.
Pearl shapes are divided into three broad categories:
The most familiar Spherical Shapes are perfectly round pearls or almost round pearls.
Symmetrical Shapes are well-balanced and consistent. If you happen to slice this pearl into halves, each half would be a mirror image of the other.
Baroque shapes are shapeless. They are irregular and asymmetrical. Nevertheless, they are delightfully gorgeous and versatile. They will complement virtually every ensemble in your wardrobe.
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Each Baroque pearl has a marvelously unique shape. Each and every piece is One-Of-A- Kind creation. This is because the shape of a pearl is molded by a number of unpredictable factors occurring inside the oyster as the pearl develops.
Shape Of The Nucleus
The growing pearl acquires the shape of its nucleus. Nucleus is the irritant which gets placed inside the oyster either naturally of by man (in case of cultured pearl). The irritant triggers the formation of pearl. A round nucleus results into a near round pearl. A misshapen nucleus will give birth an asymmetrical pearl.
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Position Inside The Oyster
The position of the pearl inside the oyster also impacts the shape of the forming pearl. If the pearl forms pressed against the hard shell, it will result in a pearl flattened on that side. Moreover, pearl development does not always occur in soft-tissue areas. In this area, the expanding pearl sac grows regularly without encountering significant resistance and results in a round pearl. But, pearl cysts often get implanted in muscular tissues. The developing pearl is not able to overcome the resistance of hard muscle fibers. It assumes an irregular baroque shape.
Pressure Points
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If a pressure happens to be exerted constantly at a particular point on the forming pearl it becomes a ringed or circled pearl. It is variously described as circled-round or ringed-oval.
Formative Environment
The finest environment for a round pearl to grow exists inside the shell of a healthy mollusk. The organism is at peace with itself and thus remains internally passive. But a pearl only starts to form when a foreign particle wedges in the body of an oyster. The particle causes constant irritation and triggers the secretion of nacre which coats irritating object known as the nucleus.
At the same time the oyster relentlessly tries to eject the extraneous object. The perpetual struggle pushes, shoves and shifts the nucleus. The movement causes the nacre to be coated in irregular layers and a Baroque pearl is born. However, if the seeding nucleus does not cause too much of irritation, there is little internal tussle and a round pearl is born.
Two Nuclei
At times a second foreign particle, lodges itself besides the main nucleus. The pearl sac covers both particles resulting in a twin pearl.
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Type Of Nuclei
A good number of cultured fresh water pearls are baroque. This happens because a lump of mantle tissue from another donor mollusk is used as a nucleus instead of a perfectly round bead.
Cultured saltwater pearls can also turn out be baroque-shaped because of any of the above factors. However, they are more likely to be shaped like a teardrop on account of the spherical beads used as the seeding nucleus.
Tahitian & South Sea baroque pearls are by far the most valuable. While these two are also types of cultured saltwater pearls, they have to spend a lot of time inside the mollusk to gather nacre depth. The extended time periods increase the chances of formation of a baroque pearl. As such, Tahitian pearl farm harvests yield more than forty percent baroque & semi-baroque pearls.
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Sub-Type Of Baroque Pearls
Even though baroque pearls are shapeless, some of them happen to share certain common features. Based on these shared features, baroque pearls are categorized into many sub-types.
Coin Pearls
These pearls are flat and round with very smooth surfaces. Their large flat surface areas reflect light well. Reflecting light imparts a dazzling luster to this gems. Baroque pearl necklaces and baroque pearl earrings crafted out of coin pearls are highly appreciated in the world of jewelry.
Potato Pearls
Potato Pearls are among the smallest variety of baroque pearls. They are squarish or round lumps akin to potatoes. These are very suitable for creating baroque pearl bracelets & baroque pearl necklaces.
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Twin Pearls
At times nature transpires to envelop two nuclei in the same pearl sac inside the body of the mollusk. Both the nuclei are simultaneously swathed in the nacre secreted by that organism. As a result Siamese twin pearls conjoined at birth are born. The two pearls fuse together with the bonding nacre. The twins may be identical in shape and size or one might be smaller than the other. Twin pearls are excellent for crafting baroque pearl stud earrings as they turn out to be elegant jewelry pieces.
Stick Pearls
Stick pearls are elongated and narrow like a stick. They are usually flat. Stick pearls make stunning gems. Their unusual shape makes them ideal for crafting statement jewelry pieces.
Cross Pearls
These are a rather exclusive genus of baroque pearl. Pearls of this type take the shape of a cross. As such, they are best for shaping jewelry with religious connotations.
Rice Pearls
As evident from the name, Rice Pearls are small baroque pearls bearing close resemblance to grains of rice. They are round pearls that could not achieve perfection in shape. They are popularly drilled on their central axis and stringed together to fashion out baroque bracelets & baroque necklaces.
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Heart Pearls
Heart Pearls are very special baroque pearls that have assumed the popular heart shape. They are very much in demand in the world of jewelry for making baroque pearl pendants with romantic overtones.
Egg Pearls
These pearls are egg-shaped with narrow top & wide bottom. They are often drilled vertically to conserve and emphasize their inimitable shape.
Teardrop Pearls
As opposed to Egg Pearls these pearls feature very narrow bottoms & wide tops. This creates an amazing resemblance to tear drops. Teardrop pearls are delicate gems mainly used for adorning luxury-earrings.
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Leaf Pearls
Leaf pearls are wafer thin baroque pearls with uneven bumpy surfaces. They are used in an extensive array of jewelry ranging from bracelets to necklaces & earrings.
Keshi Pearls
On rarest of occasions, the mothering mollusk is able to reject and eject the seed nucleus. And yet the pearl continues to develop. Such pearls become nucleus-free and are almost completely composed of nacre. They are termed as Keshi pearls. We can make out that these are the rarest type of baroque pearls. Keshi pearls occur in a wide variety of colors and are evenly oriented. They appear elongated & display an astounding luster. The shiny luster makes these pearls ideal for jewelry and they remain in high demand.
Factors Determining Value Of a Baroque Pearl
Shape
Shape is a significant factor affecting the evaluation of pearls. In case of traditional pearls higher value is attributed to the most well rounded pearl. However, baroque pearls are shapeless. So they are evaluated according to any specific shape they might have assumed. As discussed above, cross pearls command value for jewelry with religious connotations while heart shapes appreciate in value for jewelry with romantic overtones.
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Type
The type of a baroque pearl is also a key factor influencing its value. Since freshwater baroque occur in abundance, they are relatively less valuable. Baroque Akoya pearl is very valuable on account of its rarity.
Size
Size is a common factor for evaluating both, the traditionally round pearls as well as the baroque pearls. Others factor remaining similar, a larger pearl is always more valuable than a smaller pearl.
Color
Once again, a vast variety of baroque pearls are white. So white color commands a comparatively lower price. Pearls with high silvery overtones, pink, salmon and other dark colored pearls are more precious for the reason that they are rare.
Luster
A pearl’s luster is ascertained according to its ability to reflect light. Coin pearls are able to reflect more light because of their larger surface area making them more lustrous. Keshi pearls reflect more light due to their high nacre content. They are almost 100% nacre. Thus they are exceedingly lustrous. Consequently, they command value on the basis of this particular attribute.
Surface Quality
Flattened portions or abrasions on the surface of the pearl effect its quality and diminishes its value. Well rounded smooth surface on the other hand commands greater value.
Quality Of Nacre
Nacre is the organic iridescent secretion of the mollusk that forms and coats the pearl. Quality of nacre is the most important value contributing factor of a pearl. Thick nacre having more depth and more solid nacre make a pearl more valuable.
Baroque pearls were greatly treasured by jewelers of the Renaissance era. They viewed these pearls as extraordinary gems of exquisitely unique shapes. They arranged baroque pearls into forms of mythical figures in jewelry pieces.
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One such excellent exhibit is a piece believed to be from the sixteenth century. It is well-known as the Canning Jewel and can be found today in Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The Canning Jewel is a sculptural pendant characteristic of the Renaissance period that lasted from the 15th to 17th centuries AD. A large centerpiece baroque pearl forms the torso of a merman sea-figure. It has the body of a man and the tail of a fish. The figure is elaborately mounted in enameled gold set with pearls, table-cut diamonds & Indian rubies.
Baroque pearls are among the most intriguing organic gems available in the world of jewelry. They make a great choice for connoisseurs who appreciate uniqueness in their gems. Moreover, these free form gems allow jewelry designers an untamed expression of creativity. The pearls remain highly sought after for their distinctive shapes & colors.
See Also:
Pearls
| Pearls | Baroque Pearls |
| Akoya Pearls | South Sea Pearls |
| Tahitian Pearls |
