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Pearls « Back to Education

  • DIAMONDS

    DIAMONDS

        
  • WATCHES

    WATCHES

        
  • JEWELRY

    Jewelry

        
  • PEARLS

    PEARLS

        
    • History
    • Understanding Pearls
    • Pearl Varieties

      Pearls Varieties

      Saltwater cultured pearls, originating from the oyster family of mollusks, are grown in Australia, China, the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The most well known are Japanese Akoya white pearls and the larger South Sea pearls. The best-known "black" cultured pearls come from Tahiti and the Cook Islands. Pearl coloring varies based on the mollusk's genetics, minerals in the water and the plankton that it absorbs. Saltwater oysters are known to produce one or two pearls.

      Freshwater cultured pearls, originating from the mussel family of mollusks, are cultivated in lakes, rivers and ponds. The United States, Japan, and China are the leading producers of these pearls. Freshwater mussels produce more than thirty pearls simultaneously. This is the most important factor affecting the price difference between saltwater and freshwater cultured pearls. Recent techniques have even made some saltwater and freshwater pearls indistinguishable.

      Of all the pearl varieties, round pearls are the most rare. Baroque pearls - pearls that are not round - command lower prices, but also have beautiful irregular shapes. They are more common than round pearls and can be produced by both saltwater and freshwater mollusks. Symmetrical pearls have non-round symmetrical shapes like the teardrop or oval.

      Akoya pearls tend to be the most well known saltwater cultured pearl variety. They are more perfectly round than most other pearls, and have a higher luster. They rarely exceed 10mm (millimeters) in diameter.

      South Sea pearls are very large white pearls usually starting at 10mm in diameter and averaging between 11mm and 14mm. They are cultivated in the waters of Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The pinkish white variety is the most prized, followed by the silvery-white variety.

      Black pearls occur in sizes over 8mm and average 11mm to 12mm. These pearls are cultivated in the South Pacific and fine specimens are very rare and costly.

      In Association with Amazon.com

      Buy Books about Diamonds and Gems

      Gemnation has partnered with Amazon.com to bring you
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    • Choosing Your Pearl
  • RUBIES

    RUBIES

        
  • SAPPHIRES

    SAPPHIRES

        
  • BOOKS

    BOOKS

  • GLOSSARY

    GLOSSARY

Pearl Varieties

Saltwater cultured pearls, originating from the oyster family of mollusks, are grown in Australia, China, the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The most well known are Japanese Akoya white pearls and the larger South Sea pearls. The best-known "black" cultured pearls come from Tahiti and the Cook Islands. Pearl coloring varies based on the mollusk's genetics, minerals in the water and the plankton that it absorbs. Saltwater oysters are known to produce one or two pearls.

Freshwater cultured pearls, originating from the mussel family of mollusks, are cultivated in lakes, rivers and ponds. The United States, Japan, and China are the leading producers of these pearls. Freshwater mussels produce more than thirty pearls simultaneously. This is the most important factor affecting the price difference between saltwater and freshwater cultured pearls. Recent techniques have even made some saltwater and freshwater pearls indistinguishable.

Of all the pearl varieties, round pearls are the most rare. Baroque pearls - pearls that are not round - command lower prices, but also have beautiful irregular shapes. They are more common than round pearls and can be produced by both saltwater and freshwater mollusks. Symmetrical pearls have non-round symmetrical shapes like the teardrop or oval.

Akoya pearls tend to be the most well known saltwater cultured pearl variety. They are more perfectly round than most other pearls, and have a higher luster. They rarely exceed 10mm (millimeters) in diameter.

South Sea pearls are very large white pearls usually starting at 10mm in diameter and averaging between 11mm and 14mm. They are cultivated in the waters of Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The pinkish white variety is the most prized, followed by the silvery-white variety.

Black pearls occur in sizes over 8mm and average 11mm to 12mm. These pearls are cultivated in the South Pacific and fine specimens are very rare and costly.

In Association with Amazon.com

Buy Books about Diamonds and Gems

Gemnation has partnered with Amazon.com to bring you
the most relevant diamond, gem and ring buying books and guides.
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