Best known for their whimsical shapes and variety of natural colors, the character of Freshwater pearls is absolutely unique among all cultured pearls. Because they offer the widest diversity of colors, shapes, and sizes of any pearl type, there are Freshwater pearls to complement every style and budget. Whether one chooses traditional non‑beaded pearls or the newer bead‑nucleated varieties, their pastel hues and organic forms possess a luminosity and warmth that radiate grace and elegance.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Freshwater Pearls
1. Where do Freshwater pearls come from?
They are cultured primarily in China’s freshwater lakes and ponds, using the mussel Hyriopsis cumingii (the triangle shell).
Each mussel can be implanted 24 – 32 times and can grow dozens of pearls at once, yielding a beautiful variety of round, oval, drop, and baroque forms.
A negligable amount of freshwater pearls is grown in Japan and the United States, but China accounts for over 99.999 % of world production.
2. Are Freshwater pearls real pearls?
Yes — 100 percent genuine cultured pearls formed naturally inside living mussels, and the vast majority of them is composed entirely of concentric layers of nacre. Over two to six-seven years the mussel lays thousands of layers of aragonite, creating pearls that are solid through and through — never imitation.
3. How do Freshwater pearls differ from Akoya pearls?
Akoya pearls are saltwater gems with a bead nucleus and a thin nacre layer that gives their high‑mirror shine. Freshwater pearls form without a core, making their nacre thicker, their structure solid, and their glow deeper. Freshwaters also occur in a broader range of natural colors and shapes.
4. Do Freshwater pearls have strong luster?
Yes. Today’s best Freshwater pearls can rival fine Japanese Akoya pearls. But overall, the majority of fine grade Freshwater pearls display a range from soft satin sheen to high mirror‑like reflection.
5. What colors do Freshwater pearls occur in naturally?
Their palette includes white, cream, pink, peach, and lavender, often highlighted by silver or rose overtones. These shades develop organically within the mussel and are not dyed.
6. Are Freshwater pearls dyed or treated?
The vast majority of Chinese Freshwater pearls are treated to make them more lustrous, to enhance their colors. Some fine Freshwaters are typically natural in color, but we must be very careful as Chinese growers are constantly improving thier techniques and very rarely if ever include treatment information. Some fashion strands are dyed to create black, chocolate, or copper tones; these enhancements are stable and cause no harm to the nacre.
7. What are Edison pearls and how are they different?
Edison pearls are a premium Freshwater innovation: grown one per mussel around a bead nucleus for two to three years, they produce large (10–15+ mm) round pearls with remarkably metallic luster — merging Freshwater nacre richness with saltwater brilliance.
8. How should I care for Freshwater pearl jewelry?
Wipe pearls gently after each wear to remove skin oils. Keep them away from perfume, hair‑spray, and cleaning chemicals. Store them in a soft pouch or lined box, and have necklaces re‑strung every few years.
