Almost all other gemstones are formed by mineral deposits that must be mined, cut and polished to enhance their natural beauty. Pearls on the other hand are naturally formed wonders of nature. Having smooth, lustrous and variously coloured deposits in the shells of marine oysters and freshwater mussels, pearls are beautiful as they are – as soon as they are extracted from their shells. No wonder pearls have been prized ever since for their beauty, perfection, and rarity.