Majorica: More than 100 Years of Craftsmanship

This March we celebrate Crafts Day, a holiday dedicated to recognizing creators and their respective trades.

Being a craftsman requires a specific set of skills including creativity, artistry and patience. At Majorica Pearls we have spent centuries developing these skills to perfect our own craft , and we are proud to be the jewelry designers and makers we are today! All our love and dedication goes into elevating pearl necklaces , pearl earrings or pearl bracelets and creating more than just a piece of jewelry, an emblem.

In the spirit of this special holiday, we thought it would be appropriate to share more about our history and the processes that go into making our products . Read on to discover more about our past, Mallorca’s relationship with pearls, and how we at Majorica meticulously craft our jewelry.

The pearl in history

Jewelry is a universal form of adornment that throughout history to the present day has been worn for reasons beyond aesthetics. As well as communicating religious and spiritual beliefs, it is also material culture that denotes power, wealth and status. From basic materials to precious stones and pearls, the practice of accessorizing dates back centuries and has a rich and interesting past.

This includes pearls, which are thought to have been discovered in ancient times and are known to have been used for decorative items as far back as the 5th century. A drop from a pearl oyster is extremely rare, making it a valuable item that is still revered to this day. In fact, owning genuine pearls was a privilege that only the extraordinarily rich and powerful could afford well into the 19th century, meaning that people were looking for affordable alternatives.

The demand for cheaper imitations was recognised and in the 17th century a rosary maker in Paris used fish scales to coat glass beads and give them an iridescent sheen similar to that of genuine pearls. The exclusivity of pearls ended in the 19th century when Japan invented the cultured pearl.

This democratized the pearl and allowed a wider demographic to experience this highly sought-after item.

Mallorca and pearls: a long-lasting relationship

This period marked the beginning of Mallorca's association with pearls, when in 1890 we began as a company to produce high-quality artificial pearls.

This is thanks to Eduard Hugo Heusch, a German engineer and entrepreneur . He wanted to find a formula and process that would reproduce the unique beauty and perfection of natural pearls but at a lower cost, essentially creating the only man-made organic pearls .

This was no small feat, but Heusch rose to the challenge and achieved his goal when he emigrated and moved to France. There he worked in Paris on a process for manufacturing artificial pearls, which led him to establish a company that he would later move to Manacor, Mallorca.

The reasons for this relocation were strategic. In addition to the need to be close to the sea, Heusch also recognized and demanded the skill of the workers in the region, specifically the artisans, the opaline blowers, and the dexterity of the hands of the women who were in charge of lining the necklaces. The decision to move to our island represents a significant moment in the history of our company, as it was when he began to produce what he called the 'Majorica' pearl : he established the business and at the same time cemented the relationship between our island and artificial pearls.

The processes behind imitation pearls

Majorica pearls are usually classified together with Mallorca pearls, which refer to all artificial pearls made in Mallorca that are made using the same processes. This is because the founding family's patent expired in 1948, which led to the opening and establishment of other manufacturing companies.

While methods for coating artificial pearls are subject to variation from company to company, there is a general process followed in the production of this product. This involves various methods and includes materials ranging from glass and plastic to mollusk shells.

Majorica pearls, for example, are man-made in solid balls, often made of glass that are coated with a proprietary coating that is made in part from fish scales. The coated imitation pearls are then allowed to dry before being polished, which is then dipped in a chemical to harden the surface and give them an extra layer of protection against any cosmetic damage such as chipping, cracking, and peeling. It also protects them from potential erosion that can occur from coming into contact with moisturizers and perfumes.

Innovating since 1890

Our pearls radiate tradition and history , and perfectly capture the beauty and resilience of the real thing.

We strive for excellence in every element of our craft and make sure to preserve the processes and formulas that are unique to our business. That's why all our pearls are produced entirely in Mallorca and come with a 10-year guarantee.

Discover our pearls

From pearl earrings and necklaces to pearl pendants , pearl bracelets and rings for all occasions, we create elegant pieces inspired by our past but that maintain their connection to modern design .

We have a pearl jewelry piece for every occasion and every budget. Whether you're celebrating an engagement and anniversary, or just want to show someone how much you care, express it with the beauty of pearls.

We create and stock a wide range of contemporary jewellery pieces designed to highlight the unique perfection of the pearl with the artisan touch of tradition.

Majorica FAQ

What is Majorica?

Majorica is a company founded by Eduard Heush in Manacor. Heush worked to perfectly reproduce natural pearls at a lower cost and to bring pearls to the majority of the population. In this way he created the only organic pearls in the world, created by hand by man. In 1890 the first process of creating pearls by hand was born. The natural environment and proximity to the sea that characterises Mallorca offered the businessman all the necessary elements for the creation of Majorica pearls.

Where are Mallorca pearls made?

The Majorica pearl factory is located in the city of Manacor, in the east of Mallorca. This is where the pearls that will then be distributed around the world are designed and brought to life.