Pearls: Their History, Sources, Types and Qualities

Book Review by Eric J. Hoffman

   Renée Newman , 240 pages, hundreds of color photos, maps, diagrams, and tables. Firefly Books 2025, hardbound 9" x 11". $49.95

   For millennia pearls defined rarity and luxury; only royalty and other wealthy elites could afford them. Not until the creation of cultured pearls in the early 1900s could ordinary people consider owning pearl jewelry. If you are, like most ASJRA members, fascinated by pearls, this is the book for you.

   Renée Newman is a highly respected Graduate Gemologist and author of several acclaimed guides to gems and jewelry. This book greatly expands on her previous book on pearls. She begins by explaining why pearls have been so prized around the world, then follows with a chapter thoroughly discussing natural versus cultured pearls. The important quality factors of nacre, luster, color, and more are covered in detail.

   There are dedicated chapters on South Sea pearls, black pearls, freshwater pearls, and pearls from sea snails, conch, abalone, scallops, clams, mussels, and nautiluses. Other chapters address the important subject of imitation and treated pearls, including simple tests you can perform with just your loupe.

   Of particular interest to ASJRA members is the chapter on pearl jewelry, from Georgian up to the present day, as well as a chapter on the proper care of pearls. An appendix, glossary, bibliography, and index round out the book.

   This book is beautifully produced. Its "coffee table" size permits large color illustrations and the text is completely up-to-the-minute and leavened with interesting sidebars. If you are at all interested in pearls you probably already own Ms. Newman's previous pearls book, reviewed in the April 2017 ASJRA Newsletter and here. The question then is, should you buy this one? The answer is unequivocally "yes!"

Copyright © 2025 by Eric J. Hoffman (Home Page)

Originally published in ASJRA Newsletter, October 2025