The NARVELLA Pearl & Stone Guide

Understanding Pearls, Gemstones & Jewelry Care

01 - Pearls 101

What makes a pearl a pearl?

Pearls are organic gems formed inside mollusks. Unlike most gemstones, which are mined from the earth and then cut or polished, a pearl develops layer by layer within a living organism.

Most pearls used in fine jewelry today are cultured pearls. A cultured pearl is a real pearl: the process begins with human assistance, but the mollusk forms the pearl itself by depositing nacre, or pearl material, over time.

Freshwater cultured pearls are grown in freshwater mollusks, most commonly mussels. They are loved for their broad range of shapes, sizes, colors, and natural character. Some may be nearly round, while others are oval, button-shaped, or baroque.

Natural variation is part of the beauty. Small differences in shape, color, or surface texture are expected in genuine pearls and help distinguish them from perfectly uniform imitation materials.

02 - Understanding Pearl Quality

01 - Pearls 101

What should you notice in a pearl?

Pearl quality is best understood by looking at several characteristics together rather than relying on a single label. Gemologists commonly evaluate pearls using factors such as size, shape, color, luster, surface, nacre quality, and matching.

Luster
Luster describes the way light reflects from the pearl’s surface. Highly lustrous pearls appear bright, reflective, and lively rather than dull or chalky.

Surface
Because pearls form naturally, their surfaces may contain small marks, textures, or variations. Generally, cleaner surfaces are more highly valued, although minor natural characteristics are common.

Shape
Pearls may be round, near-round, oval, button-shaped, drop-shaped, or baroque. Roundness can influence value, but unusual shapes are also prized for their individuality and artistic appeal.

Color
Pearls occur in a variety of natural and treated colors, including white, cream, pink, peach, lavender, gray, and other tones. Some pearls also display subtle overtones that become visible as light moves across the surface.

Size
Pearls are typically measured in millimeters. Larger pearls may be more valuable when other quality factors are comparable, although size alone does not determine quality.

Matching
In jewelry containing multiple pearls, matching refers to how well the pearls complement one another in size, shape, color, and overall appearance.

For everyday shoppers, luster is one of the easiest quality differences to notice. A pearl with strong luster reflects light clearly and can appear to glow from within.

03 - Gemstones, Explained Simply

Understanding natural stones without the jargon

Colored gemstones are wonderfully diverse. There is no single quality formula that works for every stone because different gem varieties naturally form with different colors, inclusions, structures, and levels of rarity.

Four simple characteristics are useful when looking at a gemstone:

Color
Look at the stone’s hue, depth, and intensity of color. In many colored gemstones, color is one of the most important features of appearance.

Clarity
Natural gemstones can contain internal features called inclusions. Some gems are commonly found with visible inclusions, while others are more often eye-clean. An inclusion is not automatically a flaw; it can be part of the stone’s natural identity.

Cut
Cut refers not only to a gemstone’s outline, but also to how it has been shaped, faceted, and polished. A thoughtful cut can help a stone show its color and interact beautifully with light.

Size
Gemstones may be described by dimensions and by carat weight. Because gem materials have different densities, two stones with the same carat weight may not look the same size.

A note on natural variation: Differences in tone, pattern, translucency, and inclusions are common in genuine stones. These characteristics are part of working with natural materials, not a sign that every stone must look identical.

04 — The NARVELLA Standard

What “Genuine Pearls & Stones” means to us

NARVELLA is built around an appreciation for real materials and the individuality they bring to jewelry. Our approach is not about making every pearl or stone look exactly the same. It is about selecting materials whose natural character contributes to the finished design.

When you shop NARVELLA, our standard is centered on three ideas:

Material Transparency
We identify the primary pearl, gemstone, and jewelry materials used in each product so you can better understand what you are wearing.

Natural Individuality
Genuine pearls and stones may show subtle variations in shape, color, surface, or pattern. These differences are part of the character of natural materials.

Thoughtful Selection
We consider appearance, harmony, and suitability for the design when selecting pearls and stones for a finished piece.

“Genuine Pearls & Stones” is our invitation to appreciate jewelry that carries the beauty, variation, and character of the materials themselves.

05 — Caring for Your Pearls & Stones

Simple habits that help jewelry last

Pearls are relatively soft organic gems, and different gemstones vary widely in hardness and sensitivity. Gentle care is the safest everyday approach.

  1. Put jewelry on last. Apply perfume, hairspray, lotion, and cosmetics before putting on pearl or gemstone jewelry.
  2. Wipe after wear. Use a clean, soft cloth to remove skin oils, moisture, and residue before storing your jewelry.
  3. Avoid harsh chemicals. Keep pieces away from household cleaners, chlorine, and other strong chemicals that may damage pearls, stones, metals, or finishes.
  4. Store with care. Keep jewelry in a soft pouch, lined box, or separate compartment to reduce scratching, tangling, and impact.
  5. Treat water exposure cautiously. Remove jewelry before swimming, showering, or prolonged water exposure unless the specific materials in the piece are known to be suitable for it.

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