A few things you may not know about pearls

At Lizzy James, we primarily work with freshwater cultured pearls.

"Cultured" simply means that people help start the pearl-growing process, but the pearl itself is still created naturally by the mollusk over time. Every pearl develops its own shape, luster, and character.

When I look at a tray of pearls like this one, I'm always reminded that no two are exactly alike.

Some are round. Some are oval. Others are baroque, potato-shaped, or completely organic in form. Many have tiny dimples, ridges, or surface variations that make them unique.

Those natural imperfections aren't flaws—they're often one of the easiest ways to recognize a real pearl.

Something else that surprises people is how many colors freshwater pearls naturally come in.

Most people think of pearls as white, but they can range from creamy ivory and champagne tones to soft peach, lavender, silver, and even deeper shades.

Even when the pearls are the same shape and size, the subtle differences in color and luster give each strand its own personality.

And when you compare them to imitation pearls, the difference becomes pretty obvious. Fake pearls are usually very uniform in color, shape, and surface texture. Real pearls tend to have depth, variation, and a glow that almost seems to come from within.

As we move through June, I'll be adding a handful of new pearl pieces to the collection, and I can't wait to share them with you.

If you'd like to take a look at the pearl jewelry already available, you can browse it here.

P.S. Next time you see a pearl with a little dimple, an unusual shape, or a subtle variation in color, take a closer look. Those are often the details that make it special.