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Posts Tagged ‘peal earrings’

One of the first thing to learn about pearls is that there are two major categories - saltwater pearls and freshwater pearls. Besides the obvious differences, what are the underlying characteristics of each of these types of pearls? We will look at these types of pearls to get a better understanding of their differences.

When it comes to classifying saltwater pearls, it is most obviously any pearl created in a saltwater environment. Saltwater pearls come from oysters that are usually kept in lagoons or bays. There are three types of pearls most commonly created in saltwater – akoya, Tahitian and South Sea pearls. Most of the saltwater pearls found on the market today are cultured. Natural saltwater pearls are a rarity.

Now, what are some of the characteristics of saltwater pearls that differentiate them from freshwater? First, saltwater pearls tend to be more round than freshwater pearls. Because they are bead nucleated, saltwater perals are more symmetrical and round. Even though this nucleation process results in a nice round pearl, it gives them a hard bead center. This means that they do not have nacre as thick as freshwater pearls.

Saltwater oysters only create one pearl each, so they are more expensive than freshwater pearls. The benefit of this however is that saltwater pearls tend to be of a higher quality. Saltwater pearls also are known for their incredible luster, or shine. In a high quality saltwater pearl, you should be able to see your reflection. Their symmetry and shine makes them the perfect choice for a pearl necklace or bracelet, when many pearls are strung in a row.

Freshwater pearls have a reputation of being of a lower quality than saltwater pearls, mostly because they tend to be much more inexpensive. Creation and cultivation of freshwater pearls has come a long way however to let them compete more heavily with saltwater pearls. Freshwater mollousks live in lakes or ponds, and that is where freshwater pearls come from. Most of the world’s freshwater pearls are created and harvested in China and they have improved their methods over the years.

The first thing that comes to mind when someone thinks of freshwater pearls is their sometimes odd shape. Freshwater pearls can be found in many shapes such as drop, rice, round and semi-round which makes for some unique pieces of jewelry. The wide variety of colors that freshwater pearls can be is one of their main points of attraction. They can be found in white, cream, rose, blue and pretty much every color in-between. Many saltwater pearls cannot be found in these colors naturally. Now, while freshwater pearls come in many colors, they do not have the high shine that saltwater pearls have.

Freshwater pearls occur in nature differently than saltwater pearls. Instead of using a bead, a piece of tissue is used to nucleate the mussel. This is why freshwater pearls tend to be less symmetrical than saltwater pearls. The benefit of using tissue instead of bead is that the pearl is 100% nacre. This makes freshwater pearls much more durable to scratches and chipping. This tissue nucleation also makes a single mollusck capable of producing up to thirty pearls at one time.

It’s clear that there are major differences between saltwater and freshwater pearls. Each pearl has characteristics that give them their own unique appeal to consumers. The market for freshwater pearls is definitely on the rise as their quality and image improves. In the end, buying saltwater versus freshwater is really dependent on which qualities in a pearl are most important to you. Keep in mind that more expensive doesn’t always mean better. While saltwater pearls tend to be of a higher quality, freshwater pearls are on the move. You can easily find a beautiful and affordable necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings with high quality freshwater pearls. So, before heading out to the stores, decide what is important to you in a pearl and you will be sure to find the perfect piece!