The term natural pearl refers to a pearl which has grown without human intervention, unlike the cultured pearl.

A natural pearl is formed when a foreign particle / irritant enters a mollusc (e.g. Oyster, Clam, Mussel), and becomes lodged in its tissue. To prevent the irritation, the mollusc secretes a material called nacre to coat the irritant particle. Over time layers of nacre surround the irritant particle and eventually a pearl is formed.

The size and shape of the pearl is determined by the size and the shape of the original irritant that entered the mollusc, and also by the duration in which the irritant remained inside the mollusc.

The longer the irritant is left in a mollusc the more layers of nacre will be secreted and thus the pearl will grow in size.

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