cultured pearl

American  

Or culture pearl

noun

1. a pearl induced to form by placement of a grain of sand or another irritating object within the shell of a pearl oyster or mussel.

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cultured pearl British  

noun

1. a pearl induced to grow in the shell of an oyster or clam, by the insertion of a small object around which layers of nacre are deposited

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Etymology

Origin of cultured pearl

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Cultured South Sea pearls are the most valuable type of cultured pearl on the market today.

From BBC • Sep. 5, 2022

The cultured pearl set cufflinks come with the mystery inscriptions: WUS, SIL, UDH and NUF.

From BBC • Nov. 19, 2021

Tahiti is well known for its cultured pearl production, but Mo’orea is a small island with a population of around 17,000 people, but I swear there must be 100 pearl shops on the island.

From Washington Post • Apr. 6, 2017

But he says the end product – an Australian south sea cultured pearl, the heart of a $60m industry – is worth the rather fishy beginnings.

From The Guardian • Jan. 2, 2016

The back parts of the cultured pearl, being only polished mother-of-pearl, have the appearance of the ordinary pearl button, rather than that of true pearl.

From A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public by Wade, Frank Bertram