about our pearls

overview

Nearly all freshwater pearls are sourced from lakes, rivers and ponds in China. Many freshwater pearls are white and resemble Japanese Akoyas, but freshwaters offer a wider range of color, shape and size than any other pearl type. In the past, freshwater pearls were considered inferior to the Akoya; but since the 1990s, the Chinese have improved pearl shape and luster and have reduced the gap between Akoya and freshwater pearl quality and value. 

culturing

Unlike cultured saltwater pearls which are bead nucleated, freshwater pearls are tissue nucleated resulting in a shape which is less round. Instead of using a bead, a small square of mantle tissue is cut from a donor mussel's inner lining and inserted into the lining of the harvesting mussel to develop a pearl. The result of tissue nucleation: the freshwater pearl is composed of nacre resulting in a more durable pearl. 

characteristics

In order to achieve a particular or unusual color, it is acceptable to treat or irradiate freshwater pearls. The most common shape of freshwater pearls is button or oval. This is followed by Baroque and semi-Baroque.

pearl care