PEARL OF WISDOM
There are many different types of luster across mineral categories. Even the term ‘pearly luster’ isn’t unique to pearls; it’s also used to describe the shine of minerals like muscovite and stilbite.
Luster is the measurement of the quality of light that is reflected by the pearls surface. The word luster (alternatively spelled lustre) is derived from the Latin word “lux,” meaning light.
Pearls are valued for seven factors, the most important of which is luster. Duller pearls have much less value than those with a high sheen, and many pearls with poor luster never make it onto the gem market at all.
A pearl’s luster is dependent on how each layer of the pearls nacre is developed, as well as the nacre’s translucence. Typically pearls with higher luster are those with a thicker nacre, which is the result of a longer development time within the oyster.
Pearls with excellent luster are so shiny that you can see objects reflected in them, while reflection in pearls with poor luster would be very dull or badly reflected. While all pearl types are capable of brilliant luster, Akoya pearls are prized for their inherent brightness and high shine.
Where do you get your oysters?
Here at CIDIDC, we pride ourselves on making sure none of our precious oysters’ contents go to waste. After we extract the pearls from the oyster, all of the meat is removed from the shell. This meat is then donated to local chicken farms to be added to chicken and duck feed. All of the shells are then polished. A portion of these polished shells are sold on our website for our amazing customers to purchase. The rest of the polished shells are donated and used as building material. This process ensures that all of our precious oysters contents are used and NOTHING goes to waste.
What happens to the meat and the shell after the oyster is opened?
Here at CIDIDC, we pride ourselves on making sure none of our precious oysters’ contents go to waste. After we extract the pearls from the oyster, all of the meat is removed from the shell. This meat is then donated to local chicken farms to be added to chicken and duck feed. All of the shells are then polished. A portion of these polished shells are sold on our website for our amazing customers to purchase. The rest of the polished shells are donated and used as building material. This process ensures that all of our precious oysters contents are used and NOTHING goes to waste.
Why can’t you eat the oyster meat?
Our oysters are fresh water oysters unlike the better known salt water oysters you find on menus in seafood restaurants. Technically, they could be eaten, however our oysters are out of water for many hours making them not fresh enough for human consumption.
Does the oyster feel pain/the extraction process?
Oysters have no central nervous system. The lack of a central nervous system makes it impossible for oysters to feel pain. For this reason, many people who consider themselves vegetarians are often still comfortable eating this mollusk.
How can I get assistance if I need it?
The shapes are formed when a tiny seed is implanted into the oyster. The seeds implanted into these oysters are differently shaped, rather than being a perfect sphere. (Ex: Stars, hearts, moons, butterflies, etc.) The nacre released by the mollusk builds up around these shaped seeds forming the shaped pearls you see on our live openings and around the world.
What material are the seeds made of?
The seeds used for cultivating our pearls are polished and shaped beads generally made out of the freshwater oysters’ shell. Diva and Diva Max oysters, however, are cultivated differently. Instead of seeds being implanted into the oyster, pieces of the mollusks’ mantle tissue are implanted into the host mollusk to serve as a catalyst for the pearls sac.
How long does it take a pearl to form?
It takes 3 years for mollusks to be matured enough to produce a pearl. Once they have matured, the process of producing a pearl can range anywhere from 6 months to several years. On average, it takes anywhere from 3-8 years and sometimes longer for our oysters here at CIDIDC to produce the beautiful pearls you see on our livestreams.
Why can’t I open my own oyster?
Unfortunately, customs laws DO NOT allow the shipment of raw meat products. Beyond the laws placed by customs regarding shipping, we at CIDIDC pride ourselves on the freshness of our product. Any unopened oysters that can be sold online by any other retailer have been packed in formaldehyde and other chemicals. Adding ANY chemicals goes AGAINST the standards we have set for ourselves here at CIDIDC.
Why can’t I chose the color of the pearl I want?
Our pearls at CIDIDC are 100% natural, fresh water pearls containing NO dye or bleaching materials. A mollusk’s shell, nacre, and environment are ALL contributing factors to the color of the pearl it will produce. While we have a general idea of colors that can be produced from our oysters, we CANNOT guarantee the exact colors that any individual oyster will produce.
What determines the color of the pearl?
The color of ANY pearl, whether salt or fresh water, is decided by the above mentioned contributing factors. Again, these contributing factors consist of the type of mollusk, the nacre a mollusk produces and the environment in which the mollusk is raised.
What makes a pearl considered “bad”?
A pearl is considered bad if it has brown spots, black spots, or bad luster. This can happen for a number of reasons, including environmental changes and the nacre produced by the oyster.
Where do you ship to?
We at CIDIDC offer WORLDWIDE SHIPPING and free shipping with orders over $38.00 USD.
How long does shipping usually take?
Shipping can take anywhere from 2-5 weeks depending on where you are located around the globe. Unfortunately, Covid-19 is still a factor in shipping delays, however, on average our customers receive their pearls between 3-4 weeks.
Do you clean the pearls before shipping?
We at CIDIDC pride ourselves on providing the BEST PRODUCT on the market. For this reason, all of our pearls go through an extremely thorough cleaning and polishing process before being shipped to our amazing customers!
Which oyster should I choose?
The oyster you choose should always be based on your personal preference. Knowing we all have our own individual style and preference, we offer a variety of baroque shapes and beautiful fresh water Edisons. Be sure to check out the detailed descriptions under each of our individual products to find the one the best suits you.
What is the value of fresh-water pearls?And why do the hosts not reveal their faces?
While freshwater pearls are more affordable than salt water pearls, the value of them can still range into the thousands. Low-quality fresh water pearls can sell for as little as $20 USD, while average-quality pearls can average between $30-$50 USD. Higher, fine-quality freshwater pearls can range between $65 USD to $5,000 USD. In certain cases, the pearls can value for more than $5,000 USD.
We simply ask our amazing customers to respect our privacy. While we love each and everyone of you, it is, for now, our personal preference to keep some parts of our lives private.