Description

Natural GIA Certified Pinna Pearl

Pearls of all kinds have been used for decorative purposes throughout history. The majority of these have been nacreous, yet certain non-nacreous pearls have also been sought by connoisseurs. Pinna (pen) pearls fall into the latter group. Pinna pearls — also known as “pen-shell” or “pen” pearls — are rare natural gems formed inside mollusks of the Pinnidae family. The Pinnidae family is widely distributed among the oceans of the world, from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, the Arabian Gulf, and the Indo-Pacific (from southeastern Africa to Melanesia and New Zealand, ex.tending north to Japan and down to New South Wales). In the Western Hemisphere, these mollusks inhabit American waters around Florida, North Carolina, and Texas, as well as Mexico.

Unlike traditional nacreous pearls from oysters, most Pinna pearls are non-nacreous with a calcitic, cell-like internal structure, which historically made them prone to cracking and thus rarely used in commercial jewellery. However, recent research (including lab-verified examples from 2023–2024) has documented larger, nacreous or partially nacreous pen pearls — making them coveted by collectors and connoisseurs seeking unique, naturally-formed pearls. Their rarity, variety of hues (from silvery-grey to dark brown or black), and unusual origins give Pinna pearls a distinct place in the world of natural pearls. The nature of their non-nacreous structure often results in cracking, and because of stability concerns they are very rarely used in jewelry.