The lustrous natural gemstones do not originate from a singular
place, as baroque pearls simply refer to the shape, they can come
from anywhere in the world. Due to how each
type of pearl is formed, baroque pearls are more common in
freshwater than spherical stones and so tend to be more
affordable.
How Are Baroque Pearls Formed?
The formation of baroque pearls begins much the same as their
symmetrical counterparts. An irritant enters the mollusk where it
goes on to become the nucleus of a pearl. The oyster secretes thin
layers of nacre which coats the nucleus and build up over time to
create the pearl. A baroque pearl is formed when these layers are
non-uniformed, leaving us with a gorgeous and unique gem.
Many people believe that a grain of sand can be the irritant to
start this process, however this is not the case. Which is why
natural pearls, formed without human intervention, are quite rare.
However, some types, such as the Keshi pearls we use in our
Mother of Pearl collection, do not need a nucleus to form but
these are equally rare and so are valuable. Cultured baroque pearls
are formed when a nucleus, such as a small piece of shell, is
inserted into the oyster's muscle to start the process.
Freshwater vs Saltwater Pearls
Baroque pearls can come from either freshwater or saltwater.
Freshwater pearls are those formed in freshwater, such as lakes and
rivers. Over 90% of freshwater pearls are baroque, making them the
most abundant type. Some of the most sought after saltwater baroque
pearls come from the South Sea from places such as Tahiti, due to
them being some of the larger sizes available.
