Organic pearls "Mallorca" - know-how of the 20th century. These are natural pearls, consisting of mother-of-pearl, but they are obtained artificially.
The properties of Mallorca pearls are no different from natural pearls obtained from sea water. It took the creator of this technology as many as 60 years to achieve the ideal color and quality of pearls, but now beads of artificial “Mallorca” pearls with a rainbow tint and beautiful shape are available at an affordable price to residents of different parts of the globe.
“Mallorca” pearls, oval shape
What are Mallorca pearls
The Mallorca variety, created in a factory using mother-of-pearl, is an organic pearl. It acts as an intermediate link between natural (extracted from the sea or grown on farms) and artificial gemstones, having absorbed the best from both types.
Pearls from the Spanish jewelry brand Majorica are distinguished by their ideal shape, thick layer of high-quality mother-of-pearl, and increased strength. The appearance of stains, scratches, and other defects during normal use is excluded.
Research by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has confirmed that the properties of Majorica pearls are identical to high-quality natural sea minerals.
Recommendations before shopping
Spanish laws restrict the export of some national products.
In limited quantities you can export:
- cigarettes – up to 800 pcs.;
- strong alcohol – up to 10 l;
- wine – up to 90 l.
Without special permission you cannot export:
- antiques;
- artistic values;
- new cars.
Personal goods and food can be transported without restrictions. Tourists claim that it is much more interesting to buy souvenirs at the market - this allows you to feel the local flavor.
Manufacturing technology
Organic Majorica pearls (or “Majorica”, we call them “Majorca”) are impeccable in color, rainbow overtones, and texture. The technology imitates the processes occurring in a natural pearl:
- The glass or porcelain core base is fixed on holders.
- Immersed in essence, that is, a mixture of pearl powder, fish scales and oil. If the bead is colored, a natural pigment is added.
- After drying, the process is repeated 25–40 times. The number of layers determines how much a particular pearl subsequently costs.
- Each layer is carefully polished.
- After the final immersion, pure mother-of-pearl is applied, a protective coating is applied, and the pearl is irradiated with ultraviolet light.
Control is carried out according to 25 gradations - color, strength, shine, and other properties of the stone for each layer.
A bead is created in ten to thirty days.
Production
What are Mallorcan pearls and how are they produced? The basic production process is based on a small bead made of porcelain or opaque glass. Then it is fixed on a holder and immersed in a special mixture of mother-of-pearl for 40 minutes. Next, it is taken out and given the obligatory polishing. The process of coating with mother-of-pearl is carried out in several stages and each time it is necessarily polished by hand.
Advantages and disadvantages
Like any precious gem, organic has pros and cons.
pros
The advantages compared to natural mineral are significant.
Wear resistance
The coating is not afraid of aggressive factors such as cosmetics, sun, sea water, sweat, perfumes. Wearing a major stone does not affect visual attractiveness or physical qualities. Its “life” is much longer than natural.
Maintaining original appearance
Natural specimens contain water and conchiolin. Water evaporates over time, and conchiolin, reaching the surface of the pearls, decomposes. As a result, natural pearls become dull and crack. Therefore, it is recommended to periodically “bathe” them or wear them more often so that they are saturated with moisture.
Mallorca pearls are free from this drawback. The manufacturing technology provides for the presence of water only in the mother-of-pearl made from fish scales, so that the coating is viscous and shiny. The processing process removes conchiolin so the beads do not fade or crack.
Variety of colors
If in the seas the tone of pearls is determined by the composition of the water and the depth of the shell, then the artificial Mallorca variety receives its colors from natural dyes. For lilac-lilac colors, manganese is added to mother-of-pearl, for red colors - iron, green tints are created by copper. The range of colors is from white to black, with many tones for each base color. For natural minerals this indicator is poorer.
Impeccable form
Only Majorica beads can be large and at the same time ideal in shape. Natural river material does not happen like this; sea material is present at auctions and costs exorbitantly.
In this variety you will not find “baroque” pearls (or baroque pearls), that is, irregularly shaped specimens. Although the company’s craftsmen will create such delights if necessary.
Ease
Jewelry from Mallorca is lighter than that made from natural stone. This is especially appreciated by ladies who prefer massive earrings or long beads.
Minuses
There are very few of them:
- Fragility of the surface layer. Natural pearls are expensive due to their monolithic structure. The base in products from Mallorca is not so firmly bonded to mother-of-pearl, so the coating can chip when hit, and the thin mother-of-pearl layer gradually wears off.
- Lack of healing and magical qualities.
They are compensated by easy care. Unlike natural pearls, which are capricious in everyday use, this variety does not require much trouble.
Main conclusions
As you can see, pearls are not just a white round stone; there are different types of minerals that differ in deposit, color, and shape. Sea pearls have more saturated colors, various shades, and deep shine. The river mineral is not as large, and its surface is more matte. Pearls help strengthen the immune system, protect against diseases, and bring harmony to life. Natural and cultivated minerals are more expensive than artificial ones. When choosing jewelry, you need to pay attention to the surface structure, weight and shade of the products. To ensure that the beauty of pearls pleases you for as long as possible, follow the rules of caring for them.
Jewelry with pearls Mallorca
Externally, pearls are indistinguishable from natural ones. It does not require any processing, so the intervention of jewelers is limited to creating a durable, beautiful frame.
The best setting for a Mallorca pearl is 925 silver or gold. But the stone can deteriorate due to prolonged contact with metals, so galvanic rhodium coating is applied to the frame of the product.
Given Mallorca's vulnerability to chipping and abrasion, Spanish jewelers have created unique mounts that cover and protect pearls.
Price
Mallorca pearls are not natural pearls, but they are not plastic either. Therefore, its cost is higher than its artificial counterpart, but tens of times inferior to a natural marine specimen of equal quality and parameters.
So, the price of a necklace 45 cm long with beads 6 - 8 mm is 11-13 thousand rubles. For rings or earrings they will ask five to six thousand rubles.
Story
Natural pearls are obtained from sea mollusks, in which they grow for a very long time. Grains of sand that get into the mollusk are perceived as a foreign body and for a long time they are enveloped in nacre. This process takes a long time, so natural stone is quite expensive.
In 1890, on the island of Mallorca, which is located in Spain, thanks to scientific research, jewelers managed to create a unique pearl production technology. By the way, this is how Major pearls got their name in honor of this island. Technology has made it possible to reproduce pearls that, by their nature, are in no way inferior to natural ones. And the creation process itself took much less time.
In addition, Spanish jewelers managed to create such a stone with some shades, using special natural dyes. The mineral also differs from the natural one in having a stronger structure and is less susceptible to mechanical damage. But the technology was patented only in 1951.
Magic properties
Only natural stones have magical and healing properties, no one argues with that. It is not surprising that Mallorca, combining artificial production with natural materials in its composition, has provoked splits and disputes in the esoteric community.
Opponents insist that the origin of the pebble - in the laboratory for just a month, and even with the use of technology - excludes magical properties. This requires years and the native sea element.
Defenders point to the conclusion of the highest gemological authority, the GIA, which recognized the identical physical qualities of the stone to its natural analogues.
What follows from this? Anyone can wear it, regardless of their zodiac sign.
Contemplating and wearing it improves the mood of the hostess, increases self-esteem, and puts her in a philosophical mood. What is not a magical or healing effect?
Who is Majorica suitable for?
Mallorca pearls are endowed with strength and energy, belong to the water element, and are suitable for Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio. Calms its owners and protects them from making rash decisions. Natural pearls for signs of the sea element are a cure for depression, lift your spirits, and get rid of negative thoughts.
For Aries, Taurus and Leo, more aggressive jewelry framed in gold is needed. Pearl is too calm a stone for these signs, but in some cases it helps to moderate the ardor.
Aquarius, Gemini and Libra can wear the products of the Spanish brand for a short time. This helps to increase self-esteem and develop intuition. But Majorica is contraindicated for earthly zodiac signs, as it can worsen health and create conflicts in the family.
How to care for Mallorca
This variety is quite durable, the care rules are not burdensome, but mother of pearl requires delicate handling.
- It is better to store jewelry in an individual bag or separately in a box so that harder stones do not scratch it.
- For cleaning, no abrasives or household chemicals are used, which will irrevocably destroy the shine of the pearls or destroy the mother-of-pearl layer.
- Dirt is removed with warm soapy water and rinsed under running water. Dry naturally on a soft cloth.
- Do not test it with hot water or the scorching sun, cosmetics or perfumes.
Jewelry brought from Mallorca is the best reminder of visiting an exotic island. Moreover, this pleasure will cost half as much as at home.
Pearls of this variety are constantly at the peak of popularity. Although the exact manufacturing technology is a trade secret, they are trying to make it not only in Spain. Only a specialist can distinguish Mallorca by eye, so when buying jewelry, inquire about the presence of a quality certificate.
Types of pearls by color
The most common pearls are the following shades:
- white;
- cream;
- golden;
- pink;
- white-pink;
- silver;
- green;
- blue or gray-blue;
- eggplant;
- benzoic;
- black.
Initially, only the so-called “Thai” pearls are black. The remaining black pearls are either x-rayed or dyed.
Natural black pearls are valued higher than pearls of other colors. Of the light shades, pink, blue, purple and gold are considered more expensive. The price is affected not only by the shade, but also by the degree of its saturation.
