Fresh Water Pearl Jewelry

Freshwater pearls are some of the most popular pearls available today. Thanks in part to freshwater pearl available in bays and rivers throughout China, freshwater pearls are currently some of the most reasonable and popular pearls available on the market today.

Fresh water pearls occur in mussels in much the same way that saltwater pearls occur in oysters. A material foreign to the mussel, such as a sharp object or parasite, makes its way into the mussel. Cultured fresh water pearl workers manually open the mussel shell, making small incisions into the mussel tissue and insert foreign objects. These foreign objects produce an irritation. The mussel coats the foreign object to reduce the irritation. This coating that forms the freshwater pearl is the same material used for building shells.

The Japanese were some of the first to culture freshwater pearls. The first commercial fresh water pearl farms began in the 1930s, and continued to some extend through World War II.

In recent years China has become a respected major producer of fresh water pearls. Since 1968, China has perfected the process of harvesting cultured fresh water pearls resulting in pearls of superior shape and color.

Giving Pearls

South Sea Pearl Jewelry

South Sea pearls are some of the most elegant saltwater pearls. South Sea pearls are characterized by their large size and silvery white color. A product of the pinctada maxima oyster (which is about the size of a dinner plate), South Sea pearls are much larger than those produced by Akoya and fresh water pearls. South Sea pearls are commonly found in sizes as large as 14 mm. As with most things rare, South Sea pearls are more difficult to harvest and consequently more expensive.

Akoya Pearl Jewelry

Akoya pearls are the specialty of Japanese pearl farms. Since first culturing Akoya pearls in the early part of the 20th century, Akoya pearls have become the classic cultered pearls of Japan, and one of Japan's most well recognized exports.

At a glance, Akoya pearls are commonly confused with fresh water pearls. But if compare Akoya pearls side by side with freshwater pearls, the difference between Akoya and fresh water pearls is very apparent. Akoya pearls are typically larger, smooth,and rounder than Fresh water pearls. The high quality Akoya pearls are known for their beautiful luster.

in recent years, China has begun producing Akoya pearls as well.

Giving Pearls

Giving Pearls offers premium pearl necklaces, pearl earrings, and pearl bracelets. With a wide selection of Tahitian pearls, freshwater pearls, south seas pearls, and akoya pearls - pearl jewelry from Giving Pearls offers the highest quality pearls at deeply discounted retail prices. Pearl jewelry from Giving Pearls is GIA certified, and include a free appraisal.

Pearl jewelry from Giving Pearl is not only a great value, but also offers the opportunity to give back to needy charities. A portion of all sales from Giving Pearls - including pearl necklaces, pearl earrings, and pearl bracelets - is donated to needy charities nationwide. Giving Pearls offers a pearl concierge service, finding unique pearls for gifts and special events such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, bridal parties, and other special occasions. Working with these charities, Giving Pearls offers charities a unique way to raise money for their important causes.

To nominate a charity for inclusion in the Giving Pearls program, simply email donations@givingpearls.com

Luster: Luster is defined as the appearance of the surface of a mineral dependent upon its reflecting qualities. This also relates to the the robust shine of a pearl. Pearls are composed of countless microscopic layers of tiny calcium carbonate crystals. The luster of a pearl is the light that reflects off of these layers.

When selecting a pearl, consider that the larger the pearl, the more nacre it has, so it will also exhibit even more luster. Compare a 5mm Freshwater cultured pearl with a 10mm South Sea cultured pearl and the difference in the amount of nacre is obvious. The difference in luster is as clearly visible as the difference in the pearl sizes.

Ideally you want to select pearls which are spherical and symmetrical – these represent the some traits of the highest quality pearls. Typically Tahitian, Akoya, and South Sea pearls are the rounder than Freshwater pearls , which can be oval or slightly un-round.

The layers of a pearl are known as nacre. The layers of nacre are not necessarily created smoothly by an oyster. Occasionally imperfections such as spots or bubbles can occur as the oyster is creating layers of the pearl. Naturally pearls with the least imperfections and the smoothest surfaces are typically considered to be the highest-quality. These occur very rarely in nature, and as such are the most sought-after pearls.

Ultimate Pearls

With the Ultimate Pearls pearl guide, you'll learn how to recognize and find quality pearls. You’ll also learn how choose the perfect pearl for you, or your loved ones.

The majority of pearls found in pearl marketplaces today are cultured pearls, due to the of scarcity of natural pearls. Natural pearls take years to form, and demand for pearls has increased beyond the supply of natural pearls. Cultured pearls are formed by placing a tiny bead in an oyster. That bead is gradually coated in layers of a nacre. Nacre is a beautiful, pearlescent substance. This nacre build up creates a lustrous pearl.

There are many types of pearls – including South Sea pearls, Akoya pearls, freshwater pearls, and Tahitian cultured pearls.

Body Color: This is the overall color of a pearl. In general, pearls are found in white, cream, yellow, pink, silver, or black.

pearls

Overtone: This is the slight secondary color of a pearl. The overtone is seen when light reflects off the pearl surface. It is not uncommon for pearls to have two colors – such as silver and black or white and pink (the former being the pearl’s body color, and the latter being the pearl’s overtone).

pearls