Do they have to kill the oyster to obtain the CULTURED pearl?

Question

Thanks to everyone who answered my question about whether or not the oyster has to be killed to get the pearl, but does the same go for cultured pearls?

Answer 1

Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

Answer 2

Yes, but it's a farm-raised oyster, so that's like complaining about killing chickens to get KFC.

Answer 3

I hope so I love eating oysters.

Answer 4

Shame on you Ritchie. haha  Actually the answer is no. They will actually remove the pearl and insert new "material" so they grow a new one.  They used to use sand but now I think they came up with something to get more uniformed result.