Background on Pearls
- Chic, classic and cool
- Can be natural or cultured (meaning planted, more common), freshwater or saltwater
- Can be cultivated in fresh water or salt water
- Range from black to white
- Used commonly as earrings and necklaces
Fresh Water vs Salt Water
Fresh Water
- Grown in ponds, rivers and lakes (China)
- Freshwater pearls come in many appealing colors (usually pastels) and varieties, and are very durable. These pearls tend to be smaller and less symmetrical in shape.
- They can be very affordable.
Salt Water
- Natural or cultured pearls grown in salt water — such as oceans and protected lagoons.
- Deep-colored and lustrous.
- The best known of these pearls are Akoya, South Sea, and Tahitian pearls.
Best known Salt water pearls
Akoya
- Most popular classic pearls known to be from Japan
- Lustrous and round in shape
- Usually used in strands
- 3 to 10 mm
- White – cream, pink – grey shades
South Sea
- Chiefly come from Australia, Philippines and Indonesia
- Large 9 – 20 mm
- Lustrous
- Usually white, silver & gold
Tahitian
- From areas surrounding the French Polynesia
- Rare and large
- Deep colors – purple, greens & black
- Lustrous