Pearl oysters have a lifecycle similar to other bivalve mollusks. They begin their life as larvae that drift in plankton for several weeks before settling down and attaching to a hard surface. Once the larvae have attached to a surface, they start to grow and form a shell. As they grow, pearl oysters start to secrete a substance called nacre, which forms a smooth, iridescent lining inside the shell. This is what ultimately produces the pearl.#pearls #pearllover #pearlgaga #oysters