Freshwater Pearls Freshwater pearls are best known for their wide range
of shapes, sizes, and colors, and their attractive prices. They
are produced by the Hyriopsis cumingi mussels, which
live in lakes and rivers in remote areas of China. The mussels
are nucleated with tiny pieces of mantle tissue, resulting in
pearls made of solid nacre. Roughly the size of a human hand,
these prolific mussels are able to produce up to 50 pearls at
a time, densely clustered on each shell.
Saltwater Akoya Pearls Akoya pearls are treasured for
their true roundness and highly reflective shine. They are produced
by a small Japanese oyster that only produces one pearl at a
time. The saltwater Pinctada fucata oyster lives along
the coasts of Japan and China. A nucleating bead is surgically
implanted in the body of the oyster, who coats it with layer
upon layer of beautiful nacre. These relatively small pearls
range from 2 to 10 mm; Akoyas larger than 8 mm are quite rare
and valuable.
Tahitian Pearls & Black South
Sea Pearls Tahitian pearls are the only pearls in the world that are naturally
black. Rare and exotic, Black South Sea pearls are produced
by the Pinctada margaritifera oyster, native to Tahiti
and the French Polynesian islands. These saltwater oysters can
grow to be the size of a dinner plate, resulting in luxurious
pearls ranging from 8 to 18 mm in size! Tahitian pearls come
in a mesmerizing array of colors, from light silver to deep
black, with shades of green, blue, and pink.
White South Sea & Golden South
Sea Pearls White South Sea and Golden South Sea pearls are treasured for
their luxurious size and brilliant satin luster. These valuable
pearls are produced by the famous silver-lipped oyster, Pinctada
maxima, along the coasts of Australia, Indonesia, and the
Philippines. As the rarest pearls on earth, a single strand
of these magnificent gems can take many years' of harvests to
assemble, as each pearl must be painstakingly matched for size,
roundess, color, overtone, and quality.
Mabe & Half Pearls Mabe pearls are hemispherical cultured pearls grown against
the inside shell of an oyster, rather than in the body. They
are typically used in settings such as earrings or rings to
conceal their flat backs. Mostly produced by saltwater oysters,
Mabe pearls are grown in Japan, Indonesia, French Polynesia,
and Australia. These "half pearls" range from light
pink to bluish in color. Although they are beautiful, they do
not retain nearly as much value as full round pearls.
Imitation Pearls Imitation pearls are manufactured by humans and have no true
value. They are often sold under misleading names, such as faux pearls, Mallorca pearls, organic, or simulated pearls. An experienced
jeweler can distinguish between real and imitation pearls by
examining the drill hole or taking x-rays. An easy way to tell
the difference is the "tooth test". An imitation pearl
rubbed against your teeth will feel smooth and glossy, while
a real cultured pearl will feel gritty.
The World's Largest Online Pearl Company! English, French, Japanese, Spanish, and German
customer service is available! Pearl Paradise . 10951 Pico Blvd.
Suite 100 . Los Angeles, California, 90064 . USA phone: 310-474-8788 toll free: 888-507-3275 fax:
310-474-8747
Copyright PearlParadise.com 1996-2008.
All Rights Reserved.
No duplication of any material in this site is permitted without permission
from PearlParadise.
