However, today, this difference is not as noticeable as freshwater pearls are also often allowed to grow to bigger sizes. The rest are either oval, button-shaped, baroque or semi-baroque in shape.
By contrast, saltwater pearls are generally more spherical but can also be found in lumpy, baroque and other irregular shapes and sizes. The reason for this is in the type of nucleus that is implanted in the pearl-producing animal.
For freshwater pearls, a piece of mussel tissue is used as the irritant whereas saltwater pearls have a bead nucleus, resulting in a better spherical shape. Beautiful baroque freshwater pearls. Find it here. Interestingly, of late irregular shaped pearls, like the ones used for these baroque pearl earrings, have been rising in popularity and are a popular option for modern jewelry designs.
Luster is an important distinction between these two varieties of pearls. Saltwater pearls have a superior luster and glossy appearance than their freshwater counterparts. This increased luster is one reason most customers prefer saltwater pearls. Take a look at these two gorgeous strands of pearls. One of these is a freshwater strand and the other is a saltwater pearl necklace of the Akoya variety.
Can you tell which is which? Akoya pearl necklace. Kokichi Mikimoto perfected the process for culturing pearls in Japan in the s, utilizing Akoya pearl oysters. Akoya pearls are characterised by their very bright lustre and usually white body colour, often enhanced by bleaching. Pink, silver, blue and yellow shades can also occur naturally. Akoya pearls will normally have a diameter of millimetres. Grey and black saltwater pearls are highly desirable and have been known to fetch stellar prices at auction.
South Sea pearls can also be cultured, and although natural specimens would be infinitely more valuable. Cultured South Sea pearls have been known to reach astronomical prices at auction.
Among the larger of saltwater varieties, they will typically reach mm in diameter but in some cases they can grow much larger. Part of the desirability of South Sea pearls may be the iridescent gold and silver hues they acquire from the silver-lip and gold-lip molluscs in which they grow.
Cultured in a black-lip oyster, Tahitian pearls have a darker nacre with surface iridescence and overtones of peacock, blue, green, purple and gold. Tahitian pearl quality is regulated by the French Polynesian government exerting tight controls to ensure consistent, quality material reaches the market.
Originating from rainbow-lipped molluscs found in the Sea of Cortez in Mexico, Cortez Pearls are dark in body colour and display a fabulous rainbow iridescence on the surface.
Furthermore, these pearls are somewhat unique as they are the only variety which can show an unusual red fluorescence when exposed to long wave ultra violet light. Another highly desirable variety of saltwater pearls are Fiji black pearls. Among the rarest types of pearls in the world, they are also a relatively new variety, having first entered the industry in the s.
Since then, their introduction by J. But, if you are looking for affordable pearls, freshwater pearls are the gift of value of the pearl family. Posted in Customer Stories. Graduated Necklace. Saltwater Akoya Pearls - Saltwater Akoya pearls come from oysters inhabiting the oceans of the world, predominantly Japan.
Freshwater Pearls - Grown primarily in man-made lakes and reservoirs in China. These pearls grow in oysters and are sourced from farms located in coastal regions, in environments created to mimic the natural habitats of the oysters. Over time, the creature produces layer upon layer of nacre which builds up the pearl. Point to note : Both freshwater and saltwater pearls are cultured, which simply means that they come from farmed sources and not from wild mollusks.
Typically, saltwater pearls have higher quality and are more valuable while freshwater are the most affordable option. In the past, freshwater pearls were considered an inferior variety but today technology has improved to the point where freshwater pearls are becoming as good as an Akoya pearl. For example, Edison pearls are a new development in freshwater pearls, and they look as good as any saltwater pearl out there.
Freshwater pearls are generally harvested in a shorter time than saltwater pearls. The pearls are often ready in about 6 months while Akoya saltwater pearls can take months to be ready. This longer period means more cost and labor for the farmers.
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