Learn about different types and kinds of Pearls

Types of Pearls

Nearly all pearls sold today are cultured pearls. This means that humans assist in the oyster's natural process by implanting a tiny irritant, or nucleus, in the oyster's tissue. These "mother oysters" are then treated to ideal pearl-growing conditions in pearl farms. Most of the world's pearl farms are in calm bays or coves in Japan.

There are two basic kinds of cultured pearls - saltwater and freshwater.

Saltwater cultured pearls usually come from the Akoya pearl oyster. They take longer to develop and are more expensive than freshwater cultured pearls.

Freshwater cultured pearls usually come from a freshwater mussel. Cultivated throughout eastern Asia, freshwater cultured pearls offer the beauty of saltwater cultured pearls at a more attractive price.

Pearl Color

The general color of a pearl is also called the body color. Typical pearl colors are white, cream, yellow, pink, silver, or black. A pearl can also have a hint of secondary color, or overtone, which is seen when light reflects off the pearl surface. For example, a pearl strand may appear white, but when examined more closely, a pink overtone may become apparent.

Pearl Color Chart
Silver	Black	White	White Rose

Pearl Luster

Pearls produce an intense, deep shine called luster. This effect is created when light reflects off the many layers of tiny calcium carbonate crystals that compose the pearl. This substance is called nacre. When selecting a pearl, consider that the larger the pearl, the more nacre it has, so it will also exhibit even more luster. Compare a 5mm Freshwater cultured pearl with a 10mm South Sea cultured pearl and the difference in the amount of nacre is obvious. The difference in luster is as clearly visible as the difference in the pearl sizes.

Pearl Shape

At Jewelry By Net, we offer the highest quality, rarest pearl shape - round. Shapes that are not spherical or even symmetrical are considered lower quality. Akoya, Tahitian, and South Sea pearls found in jewelry have a tendency to be the roundest, while Freshwater pearls can be oval or slightly off-round.

Pearl Shape Chart
Oval	Round	Off-Round	Teardrop

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