Majorica pearls are not, as their name may suggest, pearls from Majorca, such as Akoya pearls or Tahitian pearls. In fact, Majorica pearls aren’t pearls at all, but imitation pearls made on the Spanish island of Majorca.
Durable, Cheaper with a fascinating history
Majorica pearls are made of glass balls coated with essence d’orient – an adhesive paste made of ground up fish scales, similar in color to pearls, and glazed with lacquer.
At the end of the manufacturing process, the pearls are coated with polymer, which makes them durable against changing weather and cosmetics – unlike natural pearls. Unlike natural pearls, Majorica pearls are all uniform in size, hue and luster. Additionally, they have no natural flaws. The price of Majorica pearls is significantly lower than natural or cultured pearls.
Imitations pearls were made as early as the 17th century, in France. A rosary maker in Paris by the name of M. Jacquin was the first to make fake pearls, or glass beads, that were coated on the inside with ground fish scales and adhesives.
Majorica pearls were first made more than 100 years ago. They were invented by Eduard Heusch, a German inventor from the city of Aache. Heusch, a womanizer who married three times, developed a manufcturing process for imitations pearls, which he later patented. He established several factories, including one for the manufacturing of imitation pearls. After his death, his children rebranded the product to Majorica pearls, named after the island on which they are made.
Written by Iris Hortman
