SHOPPING AREA OVERVIEW
Coming to Phu Quoc, the Emerald island, tourists frequently wonder themselves about the origin of this noble name. Actually, the island is surrounded by green pure picturesque water bays, which are the habitats of many kinds of shellfish deep in the ocean. Some of them are mollusks that produce pearls. Thus, this special feature of the island is normally considered a good explanation for its second name.
The principle difference between artificial and natural pearls is the way they are created, with or without the hands of mankind. In both ways, pearls are formed inside the shell of certain bivalve mollusks. As a response to an irritating object inside its shell, the mollusk will deposit layers of calcium carbonate held together by an organic horn-like compound called conchiolin. This combination of calcium carbonate and conchiolin is called nacre or mother-of-pearl.
Natural pearls are very rare jewels. Their actual value is determined by factors such as size, shape, quality of surface, orient and luster. Among those, luster is the most crucial one in evaluating the value of jewels. If other factors are considered the same, pearls’ value may be defined according to their sizes (the bigger a pearl is, the more money we have to pay for it). Teardrop pearls are often used to make earings, and those with unsimilar shapes are mostly seen in necklaces.
Pearls come in eight basic shapes: round, semi-round, button, drop, pear, oval, baroque, and circled. Perfectly round pearls are the rarest and most valuable shape. Button pearls are like a slightly flattened round pearl and can also make a necklace, but are more often used in single pendants or earrings where the back half of the pearl is covered, making it look like a larger, round pearl. Pear shaped teardrop pearls are most often seen in pendants, or as a center pearl in a necklace.
Jewels made from natural pearls would be certainly superior in value than those made from artificial ones.
Right here, at Coi Nguon museum, we would be very proud to introduce to you about these two kinds of pearl.
