Majorca pearls are one of the island's most famous souvenirs. They are neither natural nor cultured pearls, but high-quality artificial pearls, made in Manacor, Majorca's second town, since the late nineteenth century.
History
In 1890 German entrepreneur Eduard Friedrich Heusch founded an artificial pearl factory in Manacor, which became Majorica. His method, refined over time, produced pearls very close to natural ones in lustre, weight and durability. In the twentieth century Majorca pearls became world-famous, worn by actresses and royal families, and an industry employing thousands grew around the factory. Today Majorica is the best-known brand, alongside other island producers such as Perlas Orquídea.
How they are made
The process, still partly secret, uses a glass or opaline alabaster core of the desired weight and shape, coated with many layers of a pearly paste of organic substances, so-called pearl essence, which gives the surface its iridescent lustre. Each layer is dried and polished. The result is a pearl resistant to scratches, heat and humidity, with a manufacturer's guarantee.
Natural, cultured and Majorca pearls
- Natural pearls form spontaneously in oysters and are extremely rare and expensive.
- Cultured pearls are produced by inserting a nucleus into an oyster, which coats it with nacre.
- Majorca pearls are entirely man-made, but of far higher quality than ordinary plastic fakes.
Where to buy
In Manacor you can visit the showrooms of Majorica and other producers, sometimes seeing the production stages, and the jewellers in the centre. The pearls are also sold in official shops in Palma and at the airport. To avoid imitations, buy from official outlets and ask for the guarantee certificate. Manacor combines easily with a visit to the Drach caves at Porto Cristo and the east-coast coves. Tennis star Rafael Nadal was born in Manacor, home to his academy and a sports museum. See also shopping in Spain.