Empowering Your Informed Choice
The Knowledge Behind Your Pearls
Here, you can immerse yourself in the captivating and diverse world of freshwater pearls. From detailed introductions to each type of pearl to the subtle nuances in color and luster, this is a natural treasure trove waiting to be explored. Discover the extraordinary beauty that nature offers and uncover the fascinating characteristics that make each pearl truly unique.
We believe that every decision you make should be well-informed and rooted in knowledge. That's why we're dedicated to sharing our expertise and insights, ensuring that you feel confident in understanding the unique journey of each pearl from nature to your hands. Trust in our commitment to transparency and authenticity as we guide you through the intricate and beautiful world of pearls.
Know What You Buy
Message from Founder
At Studio MuHe, Authenticity is at the heart of what we value. However, this doesn’t mean we consider it "better" than the standard enhanced and bleached white pearls. We deeply respect all the natural beauty the world has to offer and the new developments of artificial technology. That’s why we’re committed to sharing all the information you need to choose the best option for your jewellery. It is always great to know before you purchase.
Authentic colored pearls possess a more vibrant and natural beauty, retaining their true essence. On the other hand, Enhanced pearls have greater market appeal for its standard appearances. It's not about superiority; it’s about the difference. Everyone deserves the right to make informed choices, and at Studio MuHe, our goal is to provide you with the knowledge and support to make the better decision for yourself.
We believe in the power of sincerity and passion. Where there is love, there is beauty. Thank you for joining us on this journey to celebrate the diverse and stunning world of pearls. We are your forever friend for your pearl jewellery.
COLORS
Freshwater pearls are inherently rich in color, but to meet the demands of a standardized market, many Baroque pearls are bleached and polished to become the familiar white pearls we often see. While naturally white pearls do exist, they are incredibly rare. The high market demand for white pearls has led to the widespread practice of bleaching.
With advancements in farming techniques, the proportion of naturally white round pearls is gradually increasing. However, bleaching remains an unavoidable treatment for many white pearls. Due to the commonality of bleaching, many white pearls can still be labeled as natural pearls without necessarily mentioning that the white color has been achieved through bleaching.
SHAPES
With advancements in cultivation techniques, freshwater pearls can now be produced in a wide variety of shapes. The main body of the freshwater mussel is used to produce round and small Baroque pearls, typically shaped using a spherical pearl seed. Other irregular-shaped pearls are formed in the pearl sacs near the shell, where different shaped seeds are inserted to achieve various forms.
Pearl seeds can be flat or three-dimensional. Flat seeds are commonly used for smaller nucleated pearls, such as stars, four-leaf clovers, and hearts. On the other hand, large Baroque pearls undergo a more complex cultivation process, often requiring two different types of seeds to be inserted at different stages, and taking a longer time to develop.
TEXTURES
Many times, as nacre forms, it develops unique textures. These can range from a smooth, moonlight-like surface to more wrinkled or uneven textures, as well as spiral grooves and other special patterns. While most pearls with a full, smooth nacre create a sleek outer layer, there is a rare and special texture known as the "silky parallel line." This beautiful pattern of parallel lines adds an extra layer of charm to the pearl, though it is not commonly found.
LUSTERS/HUES
The luster of a pearl is its soul—nothing captures the imagination quite like it. Pearl luster is primarily categorized into five types: silky, watery, mirror-like, metallic, and candy luster.
**Silky luster** offers a soft, diffused glow, reminiscent of gentle moonlight, with a delicate and understated beauty.
**Watery luster** presents a clear, almost jelly-like transparency, giving the pearl a bright and airy appearance.
**Mirror-like luster** and **metallic luster** often coexist, as a strong mirror effect usually enhances the metallic sheen. However, not all metallic finishes have a perfect mirror reflection. The finest mirror-like pearls reflect images with clarity—the clearer and smoother the reflection, the higher the pearl's value. Metallic luster is particularly prized for its lasting color retention and is best appreciated under soft, indoor lighting.
**Candy luster** refers to a light and transparent sheen, similar to the holographic shine of candy wrappers. Often found in lighter-colored pearls, this luster is characterized by a delicate rainbow-like iridescence, with its bright and translucent appearance being its most defining feature.
Together, these qualities define the unique and mesmerizing allure of each pearl.
FLAWS
Because we are committed to showcasing pearls in their most natural state, flaws are sometimes inevitable. However, most flawed pearls do not make it into our final products. For educational purposes, we are happy to share some common pearl flaws:
- **Black Holes:** These are areas of incomplete growth, often showing signs of localized decay.
- **Wrinkles:** Caused by uneven nacre layering during the pearl’s formation, resulting in surface imperfections.
- **White Spots:** A phenomenon not fully understood, but generally believed to be caused by bacterial or microbial influences affecting the pearl's interior.
- **Nacre Peeling:** This occurs when parts of the nacre layer are incomplete, though it typically does not significantly impact the pearl's appearance.
- **Ridges:** Most nucleus-free rice pearls and round pearls have ridges. While ridges are considered a flaw, uniformly ridged pearls without black holes can be a desirable feature in Baroque pearls, though they remain relatively rare.
These natural imperfections are part of what makes each pearl unique, and understanding them can deepen your appreciation for their beauty.
Pearls with Seeds
The pearls with artificial seeds inside for special shapes.
Big baroque pearls
Each pearl has been cultivated over several years with a large artificial seed at its core, ensuring consistent growth and development.
Round pearls
These pearls come from the belly part of the freshwater mussel, with a large artificial round seed at their core. They are also known as Edison Pearls.
Baroque round pearls/ Avocado pearls
The round pearls in irregular shapes. comes out of the belly part of the mussel.
Small round pearls
similar with rice pearls, but with a seed inside to make sure the shape can be as round as possible.
Special ones
Moon and Star
Button
Clover
Seedless pearls
The pearls without artificial seeds inside. Either accidentaly created naturally or cultivated on purpose with special growing method.
Petal pearls
Irregular seedless / Silver cubes
Pipa Pearls
Rice pearls
color palette
Part of the colors you can find within our product category. But never ends...
Need more information?
Frequently Asked Questions
Most of our products feature authentic colors. We reserve enhanced pearls for a special collection, and we'll always provide you with every detail about our products.
Pearls are organic gemstones, born from nature. Like us, they age over time. While it's true that their colors may not last forever, we hope you cherish their beauty and celebrate the moments you share with them. We truly wish you happiness with your unique pearls. Don't be afraid of time passing; while colors may fade, the memories they hold will never diminish.
Pearls are delicate and organic treasures that require special care to maintain their beauty. Here are a few tips to help you keep your pearls in excellent condition:
1. **Avoid Chemical Agents**: Keep your pearls away from cosmetics, perfumes, and alcohol-based products, as these can damage their surface.
2. **Clean After Wear**: After wearing your pearls, gently wipe them with a soft cloth and clean water to remove any sweat and oils that could affect their luster.
3. **Proper Storage**: Store your pearls in a well-ventilated area inside the plastic bag we provided to slow down the oxidation of any metal components.
4. **Keep Away from Heat**: Avoid exposing your pearls to flames or wearing them in areas with heavy smoke or oil fumes.
5. **Avoid Direct Sunlight**: When storing your pearls, keep them out of direct sunlight to prevent damage.
6. **Maintain the Metal**: Use the specialized silver polishing cloth we provided to care for the metal parts, helping to slow down the oxidation of any plating.
By following these simple guidelines, you can ensure your pearls remain as beautiful as the day you first wore them.
In physics, colors are the light our eyes perceive. For naturally colored pearls, each type of light can create entirely different hues. This is especially true when various pearl colors depend on how different light wavelengths are reflected. For instance, blue and green tones are most prominent in indoor shadows, where their subtle undertones become more apparent.
Nature is the true master behind the beauty of pearls. While pearl farmers can attempt to guide the general color tendencies, the exact hues are beyond control and remain highly unpredictable. The growing process of pearls takes years, making it nearly impossible to control every aspect. This unpredictability is what makes authentic colored pearls so captivating and is the source of our deep obsession with them.
The colors of pearls from each pool vary greatly from one another. Depending on farming techniques, water quality, temperature, and the season, every pond and batch of mussels produces pearls that are distinct, yet pearls from the same pool share certain similarities. As a result, our products are always evolving, reflecting these natural variations.
The peak season for pearl harvesting is in the autumn and winter months, as summer is the growth period for mussels. We invite you to share in this unique seasonal jewelry experience with us, discovering the beauty of each year's harvest.
Some pearl seeds are made from plastic balls, especially for large Baroque pearls. Others, like those used for clover, star, and various small irregular flat-shaped pearls, are crafted from thin, laser-cut polished mussel shells. These different seed materials play a crucial role in shaping the final appearance and character of each pearl.