how do clams make pearls?

Question

I know that when sand gets in their little shell, they somehow make a pearl of it, but I don't know how exactly

:edit: how do OYSTERS make pearls... (they're in the same family at least)

Answer 1

I'm assuming you mean oysters, since while clams are similar creatures, oysters are the ones that make pearls.

Creation of pearls occurs because the soft oyster is trying to protect its soft body from items like sand that can wash into its shell case (Oysters have a top and bottom shell like a clam with the oyster inside and the two halves connected by a muscle.)

When the sand comes in, the pearl releases pearl material to coat the sand bit.

Think of other animals that secrete substances.....we create mucus for example to protect our lungs and sensitive tissue from invaders. Saliva also is protective and we secrete it too.

Pearl material is excreted like that from oyster cells.

Over time it covers the sand or particle more and more and it hardens into the pearl we know.

Most pearls are not perfectly round and perfect, others have various colors but we usually don't see these in jewelry stores. It is harder in nature to find a perfectly round lovely pearl since the shape in part depends on what the sand bit (or whatever irritated the poor oyster) is shaped like.

Companies that sell "cultured pearls" grow oysters and deliberately "seed" them with a round item around which the oyster makes a pearl that is round. They grown oysters known to have the kind of desirable white pearl material (not as off-white, brown, etc).

They "harvest" the pearls at different times in order to get different size pearls.

Natural pearls that are jewelry quality and round are more rare but cultured pearls helps control the appearance, shape and size of the pearl by the selection of oyster variety and "seed material" and when it is harvested.

Answer 2

Do Clams Make Pearls

Answer 3

Although clams and mussels can also produce pearls, they don't do so very often. Most pearls are made by oysters, and they can be made in either freshwater or saltwater environments. As oysters grow, an internal organ called the mantle uses minerals from the oyster's food to produce a substance called nacre

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
how do clams make pearls?
I know that when sand gets in their little shell, they somehow make a pearl of it, but I don't know how exactly

Answer 5

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/HC2D3

Depends on the shape, size, and color. The most valuable pearls are very round, large, and white (no cream-colored tones). In nature, these are very rare, which is why commercial pearl growers inoculate their shellfish (oysters usually) with precision manufactured pellets which encourages round pearl development. Most natural pearls are built upon a grain of sand or other non-spherical debris, which makes them misshapen and lumpy, which drastically reduces their market value. If your restaurant clam pearl doesn't look as good as a typical cultivated pearl, my guess is that it would be nearly worthless.

Answer 6

Clams,Oysters and Mussels make different types of pearls.
Oyster,pearls are more common.

Answer 7

When a sand grain enters a clam, it irritates the inside of the clam's "mouth". However, the clam has no way of getting the sand grain out, and instead, as a natural defense mechanism, covers the sand grain in a protective shell that eventually becomes a pearl.

Answer 8

a grain of sand gets inside their shell and somehow over time the clams inner fluids combined with it rolling around turn into a pearl neat stuff

Answer 9

Clams don't make pearls, oysters do.

Answer 10

sand and fluid they release inside the shell. kinda like tampax makes pearls for your clam,ya dig