Is Pearl vegan?
Not vegan
Pearls form inside oysters or mussels. Most vegans avoid them.
What it is
A hard secretion produced by mollusks around an irritant.
Why not vegan
Pearl farming inserts an irritant into living oysters; the oyster is usually killed to harvest the pearl.
Where you'll find it
- Jewelry
- Decorative inlays
- Cosmetic 'pearl powder'
Vegan alternatives
- Glass pearls
- Shell pearls (still mollusk-derived)
- Crystal jewelry
FAQ
- Are oysters sentient?
- Scientific consensus is uncertain. Vegans generally err on the side of avoidance.