The Science of Pearls
At first glance, the rough, craggy shell of an oyster may not seem particularly remarkable. However, hidden within this unassuming exterior could lie an exquisite pearl, gleaming with iridescent beauty. While pearls are often admired for their smooth surface and shimmering colors, they are actually made of the same basic material as the oyster’s shell itself. This material, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), forms the foundation not only for pearls, but also for a variety of marine structures like urchin spines, coral, and the shells of clams, mussels, and snails.