Round / True Round Pearls
We must first briefly describe how pearls are made so that we can better understand how a pearl takes its shape. Foreign substances, or irritants, cause pearls to form inside mollusks. This irritant acts as the pearl’s nucleus. Pearls begin to form when irritants are coated with layers of nacre, the pearl's main substance, and a pearl slowly begins to form.
Crème de la crème
As a rule, a perfect round shape is considered most desirable. Shapes can deviate from perfect round by many degrees, with each degree reducing the perceived value of the pearl. The antithesis of the round pearl is the semi baroque or baroque pearl with its free-form outline, the exception being perfect pear or drop shapes which are highly desirable as matched pairs for earrings.
