To celebrate the launch of our new spring / summer Reykjavik Collection featuring the much-loved Biwa pearl, here we delve into the creation of these special gemstones.
Biwa pearls are freshwater pearls that are grown in China. Often referred to as baroque pearls, or ‘long stick’ pearls, the biwa pearls sourced here at Claudia Bradby are in fact very similar to some of the original pearls that were farmed in Lake Biwa, in Japan.
Their distinguishing style is the length and very natural baroque nature – giving them an organic shape.
Biwa pearls are named as such for stylistic reasons. Thanks to their irregular shape, every Biwa pearl necklace, bracelet and earring set is entirely unique. They are loved for their special organic finish, which makes them different from the traditional perfectly round pearl and creates a more natural, non-uniform jewellery style.
Limited Edition Biwa Pearl Jewellery
For our two limited edition designs, including The Reykjavik Pearl Toggle Necklace in Silver and in Gold Claudia spent over 4 hours hand selecting each set of pearls – she required them to be:
1. Very high quality. She discarded around 75% of the pearls offered to her.
2. Very high lustre. She wanted all surfaces of the pearls to be glowing, not just one side or another.
3. An exact length.
a. For our Volcano hoops she need the pearls to be from 15-17mm long and not wider than 8-9mm in order to achieve the correct balance in the overall design
b. For our Toggle necklace she needed the pearls to be 25-30mm long, and not wider than 6mm.
4. A good clean shape. Many of the pearls she selected had strange roundels on the surface which took away from the overall aesthetic
Biwa Pearls and Iceland
Our Reykjavik Collection is an elemental collection of pearl, sterling silver and 18k gold designs. Handcrafted using recycled silver and hand-selected pearls, this exclusive range is inspired by the raw power of nature within Iceland’s unique landscapes. Designs such as the Reykjavik Pearl Choker with Sea Charms reflect pure beauty.
Speaking about the use of Biwa pearls and the new collection, Claudia says:
“I love the organic nature of our new Biwa shaped freshwater pearls. They were specifically chosen to echo the organic nature of the Icelandic landscape. This brings a beautiful new aesthetic to our modern pearl range, one which I hope will stay with you and inspire you for years ahead.”
Explore more about Biwa pearls via the Gemological Institute of America.