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Pearls have been fashioned into jewelry for thousands of years. The inner glow of the pearl (or pearlescence) gives it a mystical appearance and has been linked to moonlight and magic. An organic gem, pearls are formed inside mollusks such as oysters and mussels. They are formed when an irritant such as a tiny stone or bit of sand gets inside the mollusk's shell. A lustrous substance, called nacre, is secreted around the object to protect the soft internal surface of the mollusk. As layer upon layer of nacre coats the irritant, a pearl is formed. Light that is reflected from these overlapping layers produces a characteristic iridescent luster. This process of building a solid pearl can take up to seven or eight years. Freshwater pearls are being cultivated in a wide variety of colors and shapes for the modern market. Pearls are believed to bring good luck, success, happiness and purity to the wearer, making it an ideal stone for brides.

The quality and the value of a pearl is normally determined by the degree of luster, quality of the pearl surface, shape and size of the pearl and the color of the pearl. Luster refers to the ability of a pearl to reflect light. Usually the larger the pearl, the more luster it possesses. When assessing the pearl's surface, there is a direct correlation between surface blemishes and the value of the pearl. As a rule, the fewer surface blemishes on a pearl, the greater the value. Shape is the next factor that is considered when evaluating a pearl. Pearls are found round, off round, teardrop and irregular in shape. The more round a pearl is, the greater the value. Pearls come in a variety of different colors and although color is said not to affect the value of the pearl, the individual specific color preference and natural coloration versus a dyed pearl are probably the variables most important in pearl selection.