Types of PearlsLearn the Different Types of Pearls and What Makes Them Special
Our certified pearl experts understands the differences in these 4 types of pearls. We travel the world looking for the perfect collection of pearls that we can put together to create the beautiful sets of pearl jewelry featured on our web site. Here you can read the overall characteristics of each type of pearl we select to gain an understanding of the quality of the pearl you are interested in.
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| Size: | 2 mm to 10 mm, average 6 mm to 7 mm. |
| Shape: | 70% to 80% round or near-round, 20% to 30% baroque and semi-baroque. |
| Color: | Body color from White, Cream and some Yellow, Pink, Blue, may have Rose or greenovertone. |
| Luster: | From excellent, good to fair. |
| Surface: | Range from clean, lightly blemished to moderately blemished. |
| Nacre: | From thick, medium to thin. |
| Click to Shop Akoya Pearl Jewelry. | |
Freshwater PearlsFreshwater pearls cultured in mussels scientific name Hyriopsis Cumingi (Triangle shell mussel), produced primarily in China, Japan and some in North America. Most of the Chinese freshwater pearl farming takes place within about 480 km (300 miles) of Shanghai. Lately Chinese pearl farmers have gradually changed their emphasis from quantity to quality.
Most freshwater pearl farmers nucleate mussels with mantle tissue only, while saltwater nucleator insert mantle tissue and bead nuclei.
Chinese Freshwater Cultured Pearls value factor
| Size: | 4 mm to 11 mm |
| Shape: | 2% round, near round and semi round, 60% oval, button and coin. 38% baroque and semi-baroque. |
| Color: | White, cream, gold, peach, pink, purple, may have rose and or green over tone |
| Luster: | From excellent to good to fair. |
| Surface: | Range from clean, lightly blemished to moderately blemished. |
| Nacre: | Thick. |
| Click to Shop Freshwater Pearl Jewelry. | |
Tahitian PearlsTahitian pearls first introduced to international market in the mid-1970s, cultivated in black lipped oyster, scientific name is Pinctada margaritifera cumingi. The island of Tahiti is the center of commerce of French Polynesia, five island groups make up French Polynesia. A pearl is a Tahitian pearl only if it is cultured in Polynesia.
Tahitian pearls value factors
| Size: | 8 mm to 14 mm, average 9 - 10 mm |
| Shape: | 40% round and near-round, 20% oval, button and drop, 40% baroque and semi-baroque. |
| Color: | Black, Grey, Green, Blue, Peacock, Aubergine and Pistachio. |
| Luster: | From excellent to good to fair. |
| Surface: | Range from clean, lightly blemished, moderately blemished and heavily blemished. |
| Nacre: | Thick. |
| Click to Shop Tahitian Pearl Jewelry. | |
South Sea PearlsSouth sea pearls are cultivated in either silver-lipped oyster or gold-lipped oyster, the names are derived from the color of the shell interior's outer edge, scientific name Pinctada maxima. In the cost of Australia, Indonesia, and Philippines are the birthplace of South sea pearls.
Australia began commercial pearl culturing in the mid-1950s, and supply about 60% of the world's supply of South Sea pearls. Indonesia focuses on the gold-lipped oyster, and produce more cream and yellow pearls than Australia. Generally, South Sea pearls are the largest cultured pearls on the market.
South Sear pearls value factors
| Size: | 9 mm to 18 mm, average 13 mm |
| Shape: | 10% to 30% round and near round, 40% to 60% oval, button and drop, 20% to 40% baroque and semi-baroque. |
| Color: | White, Cream, Silver, Yellow (Gold), and Blue, can have rose or green overtone. |
| Luster: | From excellent, good to fair. |
| Surface: | Range from clean to lightly blemished. |
| Nacre: | Thick. |
| Click to Shop South Sea Pearl Jewelry. | |