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Keshi & baroque pearls

Ready to ship or made to order

Pearls that grew their own way. Baroque shapes are chosen for character, so no two pieces look alike.

Buying guide

About keshi and baroque pearls

Baroque pearls are pearls that grew in their own shape instead of a round one. Keshi pearls are small, solid-nacre pearls that form without a nucleus during culturing. Both are chosen for character, so no two pieces look alike.

Types
Freshwater, Akoya, Tahitian and South Sea
Shape
Irregular, free-form, petal, flame and coin shapes
Keshi
Formed without a nucleus, so made entirely of nacre
Luster
Often very high, because the shape catches light from many angles
Price
Less than a round pearl of the same type and size
Best for
Modern, one-of-a-kind and layered pieces

What makes a pearl baroque

A cultured pearl forms around a nucleus, and if the oyster lays nacre unevenly, the pearl grows into its own shape. Baroque pearls happen in every type. They used to be set aside; today designers choose them for exactly that irregularity.

What keshi means

Keshi is a Japanese word for a pearl that forms in the oyster without the nucleus that was placed there, often as a by-product of culturing. With no bead inside, a keshi is solid nacre all the way through, which gives it a bright, liquid luster.

How we judge them

Shape is judged as its own shape, not as a failed round: a well-formed baroque is graded as a baroque. We look for strong luster, an appealing outline, and color and surface that hold up at arm’s length.

How to wear them

Baroque pearls suit modern settings, single drops and layering with chains. A baroque strand looks relaxed and goes from daytime to evening more easily than a perfectly round one.

Before you buy

Are baroque pearls lower quality than round pearls?

No. Shape is one factor among several, and round pearls cost more because they are rarer. A baroque pearl with high luster and thick nacre is a fine pearl; it is simply a different look.

Are keshi pearls real pearls?

Yes. Keshi pearls are grown by real oysters or mussels during culturing. Because they form without a nucleus, they are made entirely of nacre.

Which pearl types come in baroque shapes?

All of them: freshwater, Akoya, Tahitian and South Sea. Tahitian and South Sea baroques are larger and often show strong overtones; freshwater baroques are the most affordable.

Can I have a custom piece made with baroque pearls?

Yes. Baroque and keshi pearls are a favorite for custom work, because each pearl suggests its own design. Book a consultation and we will show you loose pearls.

How do I care for baroque pearls?

Exactly like round pearls: last on, first off, a soft cloth after wearing, and stored flat on their own.

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