They are organic, created inside living mollusks. Pearls are renewable. ... Pearls take only a few years to form, not the thousands of years it takes for other gemstones to form. Regardless of whether they develop in nature or are cultured, pearls are formed in fragile ecosystems.
Are pearls environmentally friendly?
Pearls are most definitely eco-friendly gems.
Is Pearl farming sustainable?
Living Gems: Pearls (unlike any other gem) are created inside a living mollusk, they are totally organic. Both natural and cultured pearls grow beneath the water's surface in fragile ecosystems. ... Pearl farming has proven a viable alternative to fishing, this diversification of the local economy helps reduce overfishing.
Why are pearls not a mineral?
Pearls are deposits of calcium carbonate (aragonite, calcite, or both) called nacre. Pearl (nacre) is not a mineral because it does not have a distinctive crystal structure and because it is formed by the action of a living organism. ... Because pearls have long been used in jewelry, however, they are considered gemstones.