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Keshi pearls are a type of baroque pearls that are unique in their appearance and luster. These pearls are formed without a nucleus which causes them to grow into various shapes. The word keshi comes from the Japanese for poppy, which is a reference to its typically small size.
It’s important to note that keshi pearls aren’t a type of pearl but simply a type of pearl shape. You can find keshi pearls in all the usual pearl types and colors, including Freshwater, Akoya, Tahitian, and South Sea.
Here are 5 reasons why keshi pearls make a great addition to any jewelry collection.
Keshi Pearls are A Non-Standard Pearl Variety
To understand how keshi pearls grow, we need to first look into how pearls are cultured. When culturing pearls, a trained specialist carefully cuts a slit into the mollusc’s body and implants a bead nucleus into the creature. The mollusc is then placed back into the water and left to create the pearl. As the mollusc coats the nucleus with layer upon layer of nacre, the pearl slowly forms into a round shape.
This process is different with keshi pearls.
Here the pearl grows without the nucleus, which can be due to many factors. For example, one reason could be that a piece of pearl breaks off and grows separately in the mollusc or another possibility is an accident that causes some shell fragments to get into the mollusc’s tissue.
Whatever the reason, the result is a non-standard pearl that’s considered a by-product of the cultivation process.
Keshi Pearls Have Unique Shapes
Keshi pearls are made of solid nacre and are usually small. They come in a range of free shapes, as their growth is rather random. This includes round, oval, flat, thin, and long as well as odd shapes.
What makes keshi pearls stand out is the range of unique shapes that they come in. Each keshi pearl is distinctive, which makes them a great choice for non-standard modern pearl jewelry.
Keshi Pearls are Highly Lustrous
Keshi pearls are also known for their high luster and beautiful overtones. Because keshi pearls are made of solid nacre, this results in more light performance as light is able to travel into the many layers of nacre and is reflected back out at the viewer.
The luster and overtones of keshi pearls are further accentuated by the many dents and bumps on the surface of the pearl.
Keshi Pearls are Rare
Keshi pearls are becoming increasingly rare, due to technological advances in pearl cultivation. Nowadays, pearl farmers x-ray the oysters and molluscs to find any abnormality in the pearl’s growth. If they find that the nucleus has been rejected, the mollusc is re-nucleated.
All this means that keshi pearls are harder to find, making them valuable and in high demand.
Keshi Pearls are A Modern Choice
Until recently, only perfectly spherical pearls were valued in jewelry, with non-standard-shaped pearls considered by-products.
However, with the evolution of pearl jewelry, this view has been turned on its head. Today, non-standard pearls are gaining attention, as they give you the option to shake up the traditional view of pearl jewelry.
Keshi pearls allow designers to create unique and beautiful jewelry styles, incorporating the pearl’s free-form shape into the design.
So there you have it. Our top 5 reasons why you need to add keshi pearls to your collection right now! Feel like browsing? Check out amazing keshi pearl jewelry styles here.
