Pearl Types

Freshwater cultured pearls are the most commonly produced pearls and they are one of the most popular pearl types among shoppers and jewelry designers. This is due to their remarkable range of sizes, shapes and colors, plus their commercial availability at lower price points. 

They are usually cultured in freshwater lakes and ponds, often with many pearls grown in one oyster. China is the leading source for freshwater cultured pearls for pearl jewellery.

Akoya cultured pearls are the most familiar type of saltwater cultured pearl to most people. Many customers think of white or cream colored Akoyas as the classic pearl used for pearl jewellery, especially single-strand necklaces. Japan and China both produce Akoya cultured pearls, the only difference is that Japanese Akoyas are salt water pearls and Chinese Akoyas are freshwater pearls.

Cultivated primarily around the islands of French Polynesia (the most familiar of these is Tahiti). These saltwater cultured pearls, sometimes referred to as black pearls, have a wide color range. Every one of these pearls are highly inspected in Tahiti and only the ones that meet the required quality will be exported to make fine pearl jewellery .

They might be gray, black or brown, and they can have blue, green, purple or pink overtones.

Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines are leading sources of these saltwater cultured pearls. South Sea cultured pearls can be white to silver or golden, depending on the type of oyster. 

Their large size and thick nacre, due to a long growth period, plus their limited critical growing conditions are all factors contributing to their value for pearl jewellery.