In books and movies, oysters are often associated with pearls. While it is true that some oysters produce pearls, most don't. Pearls are so expensive, because they are pretty rare. Even when two and a half tons of pearl oysters are harvested and shucked (cracked open), only 3 or 4 oysters will have a pearl inside. That means if you bought the weight of all the fourth graders and their teachers in pearl oysters, you'd probably only find a couple of pearls.
True oysters are much different from pearl oysters, and in my opinion they are much more useful! True oysters are the type of oysters people eat.
Oyster farmers grow oysters over the spring and summer. While oysters are available year round, Fall in New England is when you can get the best locally raised full-grown oysters.