Pearls are timeless, beautiful, and unique pieces of jewelry that have been cherished by women for generations. There are four main types of pearls: Freshwater Pearls and Saltwater Pearls (South Sea Pearls, Tahitian Pearls, and Akoya Pearls). These pearls differ in color, size, and shape depending on the mollusk species, cultivation conditions, harvesting techniques, and other factors.
Pearl Classifications
- Saltwater Pearls: White South Sea Pearl, Golden South Sea Pearl, Tahitian Pearl, Akoya Pearl.
- Freshwater Pearl
SALTWATER PEARLS
White South Sea Pearl - Queen of Pearls
Australian South Sea Pearls are renowned for their natural color, radiant nacre, and the largest size among all pearl types. Particularly from Australian waters, these pearls are highly valued for their stunning silver-white hue and rarity, owing to limited cultivation areas and extended growth periods.
- Mollusk type: Pinctada maxima oyster (silver lip oysters)
- Pearl origin: Australia, Indonesia
- Pearl size: Commonly 10-16 mm; rare sizes exceed 20 mm
- Pearl color: White, White-Rose, Light-Cream, Blue-White
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Golden South Sea Pearl
Golden South Sea Pearls, primarily cultivated in Southeast Asian waters, are celebrated for their signature golden luster. Perfectly round, flawless golden pearls are considered among the most valuable in the world.
- Mollusk type: Pinctada maxima oyster (gold lip oysters)
- Pearl origin: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Myanmar
- Pearl size: Commonly 8-14 mm
- Pearl color: Champagne, Gold, Green/Bronze, Rose Gold
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Black South Sea Pearl
Tahitian Pearls, originating from the Pacific Islands, captivate with their deep black color and mesmerizing overtones of green, blue, and aubergine.
- Mollusk type: Pinctada margaritifera oyster
- Pearl origin: Tahiti, French Polynesia, Marshall & Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Fiji
- Pearl size: Commonly 8-13 mm; rare sizes up to 18 mm
- Pearl color: Peacock, Green, Black Green, Dark Black, Eggplant/Aubergine, Blue, Grey
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Akoya Pearl - Traditionally White Pearl
Akoya Pearls from Japan are iconic for their small size, exceptional luster, and long-standing history. Their colors range from classic white to creamy pink and silver hues, making them a traditional favorite.
- Mollusk type: Pinctada fucata oyster (Akoya)
- Pearl origin: Japan, China, Vietnam
- Pearl size: Typically 5-8 mm; pearls above 8 mm significantly increase in value. Rare sizes exceed 10 mm, with the rarest reaching over 12 mm.
- Pearl color: White (Rose, Cream, Silver), Blue, Gold, Black (treated)
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Freshwater Pearl
Freshwater Pearls are cultivated mainly in large freshwater lakes in China, with limited production in Japan and the USA. Their affordability and high yield make them a popular choice for jewelry, offering a wide range of shapes and sizes for budget-conscious buyers.
- Mollusk type: Hyriopsis cumingii or hybrids
- Pearl origin: China, Japan, USA
- Pearl size: 3-15 mm, offering the widest range of sizes
- Pearl color: White, Cream, Pink, Lavender, Peacock, Black (treated)
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Natural Pearls and Cultured Pearls
Natural Pearls
Natural Pearls are formed entirely in the wild without human intervention, as nacre develops naturally around a small irritant inside the mollusk. These pearls are extremely rare and highly valued.
Cultured Pearls
Cultured Pearls result from a process involving human care and expertise. In modern pearl farming, technicians carefully implant a bead nucleus and tissue into a mollusk to stimulate nacre production.
The Culturing Process:
- A donor mollusk provides mantle tissue, which is inserted along with a bead nucleus into the reproductive organ of the host mollusk.
- The host mollusk produces nacre around the nucleus, eventually forming a pearl.
- Farmers carefully nurture the mollusks until the pearls are ready for harvest.
This innovative method was pioneered by Kokichi Mikimoto, the father of cultured pearls.
The pearl culturing process
Discover the unique beauty and value of each pearl type to find the perfect piece that matches your style and budget!
