Learn about Cultured Pearls

There are Four basic kinds of cultured pearls - Freshwater, Tahitian, South Seas and Akoya.

Freshwater Pearls

Most Freshwater pearls come from China, and are the product of an elaborate process in which a single resilient mussel can be harvested many times, yielding several pearls at a time. To provide these pearls at an exceptional value, we offer them with good levels of quality, and set with 14k gold posts and clasps.

The Freshwater pearl looks remarkably similar to the Akoya pearl, but Freshwater pearls are available for almost 1/5 the price of Akoya pearls. The only tradeoff is that Freshwater pearls are generally smaller, less symmetrical, and not as well matched when strung on a strand. But if you’re looking for pearls at an outstanding value, Freshwater pearls are the perfect gift.

Tahitian Cultured Pearls

Tahitian cultured pearls are cultivated from the black-lipped variety of the oyster which reaches a foot or more in diameter, and produces very large pearls. This oyster is very sensitive to the pearl culturing process, which makes the pearls very costly to produce. A gift of Tahitian cultured pearls makes an extraordinary, unique gift.

South Sea Pearls

South Sea pearls come from the white-lipped variety of the oyster. This oyster is much larger than the oysters that produce Akoya and Freshwater pearls, so the pearl that it produces is much larger as well. Because of the rarity and sensitivity of this type of oyster, cultivation of these pearls is much more difficult, making them more expensive.

You’ll find South Sea pearls set with 18k gold posts, and set with brilliant, high-quailty diamonds. These are the pearls to choose when you want an extraordinary gift that makes a statement.

Akoya Pearls

Akoya pearls are the specialty of Japanese pearl farms. The first pearls to be cultured early in the 1920s, their white color and rosé overtone complement a fair complexion. Because Akoya pearls are a high-quality pearl, you’ll find them set with 18k gold posts and clasps, and you'll find they are well matched for size, shape, and color. You’ll also find few blemishes and a deep, beautiful luster.

You may notice that the Akoya looks very similar to the Freshwater pearl. When compared side-by-side, the difference is clear. Besides being more expensive, Akoya pearls are on average larger, smoother, rounder, and more lustrous than Freshwater pearls. If you’re looking for a remarkable gift, choose a gift of Akoya cultured pearl jewelry.

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