Are flaws normal on pearls?

As the saying goes, "No flaw, no pearl." Natural pearls are extremely valuable because they are flawless. Macroscopically, pearls are flawless, but microscopically, flaws are what make them valuable.

Are flaws normal on pearls?

Physically, a pearl's appearance is the result of the accumulation of calcium carbonate crystals and shell keratin on its surface. Ideally, its surface should be smooth and clean. However, due to the complex and ever-changing external environment and the varying health of the oyster, the surface of a pearl often deviates from this ideal state, resulting in some flaws.

If the water temperature and ion concentration do not fluctuate much, the crystals will grow stably, the structure will be clear, and the pearl's surface will be relatively smooth. Otherwise, the crystals will be prone to mutation, resulting in flaws. Common sense tells us that water quality, temperature, and ion concentration are unlikely to remain perfectly consistent, making ideal conditions difficult to achieve. Naturally, idealized requirements for flaws should also be considered. Various microorganisms can grow, and mother-of-pearl oysters can be affected by certain pathogens over the course of several years. Furthermore, the nucleation process can affect the pearl's formation and cortex. Therefore, truly smooth and flawless pearls are extremely rare. Consequently, flawless pearls are extremely expensive. Most cultured pearls exhibit surface imperfections such as blisters, waistlines, wrinkles, and pits. This is the theoretical basis for the old saying, "No flaw, no pearl."