The Pearl Industry

The pearl industry involves cultivating and harvesting pearls, which are valued as gemstones used in jewelry. Pearls form naturally inside oysters or mollusks when an irritating substance, like a parasite or grain of sand, prompts the creature to produce layers of nacre, creating the pearl. Cultured pearls are produced by humans inserting a nucleus into the oyster to stimulate nacre growth. The industry encompasses pearl farming, harvesting, processing, and trading. It varies from luxury jewelry markets to regional economies, with factors like water quality, oyster health, and cultivation techniques impacting pearl quality and value.