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Diamonds and Pearls Playing with Light

Pearls and diamonds are two gems highly appreciated in the history of jewelry. While they have often been paired together in adornments, they react differently to light, offering incomparable plays of tones and reflections.

Pearls, a gem born from a bivalve mollusk, do not allow light to penetrate the material, but instead display tones ranging from white to pink, grey or even black. Their luster and orient—two terms used in the pearl vocabulary—highlight the reflection of light on the surface of the pearl.

Diamonds, on the other hand, allow light to pass through them. While colorless diamonds are the most common, diamonds actually come in a wide range of colors, as here with yellow and brown examples.