Pearls in Freshwater

Pearls are known all over the world for its lustrous appeal and women have been wearing them for many years. Before the 19th Century, deep sea was the only source to get natural pearls with the help of sea-divers. But then came the era of cultured pearls. The advent of pearl farming is often credited to Mikomoto of Japan who had perfected the technique of culturing pearls.

There are many types of pearls such as freshwater pearls, akoya seawater pearls, Tahitian pearls and south seawater pearls. Each one of these pearls comes from different oysters type.

Freshwater pearls are the only pearls that are harvested in rivers, ponds and lakes and all other types come from deep-sea water pearl farming. No matter what the source is, they are all cultural pearls and natural pearls are rarity now.

Pearls are actually formed when a small tiny object becomes trapped inside the tissue of oyster or mollusk or surgically implanted by human. What happens then is that the tissue secretes nacre, which is a combination of crystalline and other organic substances, building up layer upon layer which finally takes the shape of pearl. This is an amazing process that takes two to three years or more but the end result is just beautiful.

The quality of any pearl freshwater always depends upon the weather conditions and the water quality in rivers or lakes. Often the pearl farmers keep checking the growth process in order to get the best products.

The size, color, roundness and the luster are the key factors to determine the prices of these pearls no matter, which cultured pearl type and the source. Most online sites or brick and mortar jewelry boutiques have direct procurement from the pearl farms and often sell at discounted prices to the consumers. Freshwater pearls have become much affordable than ever before.

By Kheri Chawla