The Times of India

How oysters turn a tiny irritant into a pearl: What really goes on inside the shell

Pearls begin as irritants within oysters, which respond by slowly covering the foreign object with layers of nacre. This controlled biological process, influenced by environmental factors and diet, transforms discomfort into a stable, beautiful structure. Cultured pearls follow the same natural oyster response, with quality determined by nacre thickness and lustre, not just size.