Pearl Types
Pearl is the only natural organic gem.
There are two different types of pearls we are talking about: natural pearls and cultured pearls.
Natural Pearls
The discovery of the New World and its natural pearls enabled Queen Elizabeth I to clothe herself in a garment covered almost completely in pearls.
The history of natural pearls goes back literally thousands of years.
They adorned
kings, queens, and nobles. They motivated explorers and conquerors, kept thousands
of people employed, and supported the entire economies of some countries.
Natural pearls consist of nacreous and non-nacreous varieties.
Nareous pearls from Atrina Maura, Abalone, etc.
Atrina Maura
Abalone
Non-nacreous pearls mainly as Conch pearl and melo melo pearl.
Conch pearls
Melo melo pearls
Cultured Pearls
Now we mainly talk about cultured pearls.
Most people think there are 4 major types of cultured pearls: freshwater pearls(from freshwater mussuel-Hyriopsis cumingii), Akoya pearls(from Akoya oyster-Pinctada fucata), Tahitian pearls(from black-lipped mollusks-Pinctada margaritifera), and South Sea pearls(from silver-lipped or gold lipped mollusks-Pinctada maxima), these are depend on different types of pearl oysters.
But As freshwater culture technology continues to make breakthroughs and innovations. At present, cultured pearls are mainly divided into the following 6 types.
Freshwater pearls are cultivated by freshwater mussuel in rivers, lakes or ponds. More than 90% of the freshwater pearls on the market come from China.
Unlike the nucleus implanted in seawater pearl cultivation, freshwater pearls will choose a part of the muscle tissue(24-32 pcs) of the freshwater mussel for implantation. And the growth time is about 3-7 years. This freshwater pearl has no pearl nucleus and is entirely composed of nacres, which help the pearl to shine for a long time. As the thickness of nacres, freshwater pearls have a more smooth surface and much easier stock.
Freshwater pearls have various shapes and sizes range 1-15mm. It gives pearls lovers more choices. Whether there are baroque pearls with peculiar shapes, or traditional perfect round pearls, freshwater pearls with rich colors will always be a treasure house in the jewelry industry.
Bonus link: What is Freshwater Pearl?
Edison pearls are freshwater nucleated pearls. Different from the above-mentioned cultivation methods, the cultivation of Edison pearls effectively improves the roundness and size of the pearls by imitating the method of implanting the bead nucleus during the seawater pearls cultivation.
The cultivation of Edison pearls takes 3-5 years, and the size is between 9-20mm. The long culture time makes them have a very thick pearl layer (about 2mm), which is not inferior to the popular seawater pearls on the market. The growth in the freshwater mussel also gives the pearls more beautiful colors and excellent luster.
Now that seawater pearls are well known to everyone, the beautiful and colorful Edison pearls are also very popular among jewelry lovers.
Bonus link: What is Edison Pearl?
Bonus link: Difference of Tahitian Pearl vs South Sea Pearl vs Edison Pearl
Freshwater AK pearls, a new variety of freshwater nucleated pearls, are also called "film seed pearls" on the market. Its cultivation method refers to the famous Akoya pearls on the world.
Freshwater AK pearls have mirror-like luster and brightness similar to Akoya pearls, and the 2-3 years of cultivation time also guarantees the thickness(about 2mm) of their pearl layer. Pearl sizes in range 3-10mm. Compared with Akoya pearls with a thinner pearl layer, the surface of Freshwater AK pearls has the smoothness and fineness of freshwater pearls. Compared with freshwater pearls, Freshwater AK pearls are more glossy and easy to see overtones, and their roundness is better.
There is not much Freshwater AK pearls currently on the market. We believe that this product will surely bring you surprises.
Bonus link: What is Freshwater AK pearl？
Bonus link: Difference Among Akoya Pearl vs Freshwater AK Pearl vs Freshwater Pearl
Akoya pearls have always been famous for their bright mirror luster.
Japan has always been a leader in Akoya pearl cultivation. The mother oyster from which Akoya pearls are cultivated is called "Akoya Oyster" and is small in size, so Akoya pearls are between 3-10mm. With typical Akoya oysters, it takes about 10-18 months for the cultured Akoya pearl size to be large enough for harvesting. Akoya pearls are famous for white, but also have natural silver-gray and gold, with good roundness, thin pearl layer（above 0.6mm）.
In Japan, the finest Akoya pearls are called "Hanadama", which means flower pearls.
I believe you must know the famous sailing boat of Captain Jack. Right！Tahitian pearls are the most popular black pearls in the world.
Tahitian pearls are cultivated in tropical atolls and lagoons in French Polynesia. Tahitian pearls are grown in seawater pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera, which is one of the largest types of cultured pearls in the world.
The body color of Tahitian pearls is mainly black, with a small amount of gray. With different colors of overtones, you will see many different colors on the surface of the pearl. The most famous is "peacock green". The Tahitian pearl layer is between 0.8-2mm and the size ranges from 8-16mm.
Carrying a dreamy mystery, the black pearl still attracts all jewelry lovers.
