POPULAR TYPES OF PEARLS

Introduction

Most of us think of white round pearls as the norm, and for many years they were. Natural pearls were typically a round white pearl or a baroque white pearl.

Due to cultured pearl technology, pearls can now be many shapes, sizes and colours. Typically, natural (not dyed) colours are white, pink, lilac or shades thereof including cream, grey as well as black for Tahitian pearls, and gold for South Sea pearls.

Chinese cultured freshwater pearls

Chinese cultured freshwater pearls (the variety used by us) are grown in an amazing variety of shapes, sizes and colours. They range in shape from flat to round and all shapes in between. Their natural colours are various shades of white, pink and lilac and a great many are dyed into a host of other attractive colours. Good quality, affordability and versatility are the hallmarks of Chinese cultured freshwater pearls.

Freshwater pearls are usually 100% of nacre, compared to saltwater pearls which are beaded.

The main production areas of freshwater pearls are in China, Japan and the USA. Typically, the US produces for its domestic market, whereas a good deal of the freshwater pearls from China find their way all over the world. Due to the transfer of technology from Japan, China is now able to produce high quality round pearls, whereas 10 years ago you would be hard pushed to find a near round Chinese freshwater pearl. Japan actually buys a lot of ‘raw’ pearls from China which it finishes and sells overseas as Japanese pearls.

• Lake Biwa Pearls
  Pearls from Lake Biwa, classified as freshwater pearls. Biwa is not a shape of pearl but rather a place where pearls are grown in Japan. However, due to pollution, production has virtually stopped for many years now. The term ‘Biwa’ is quite widely misused.
• Akoya Pearls
  Probably the most well known name of a pearl type from the Akoya oyster. They are typically cultured seawater pearls, also loosely known as Japanese pearls as they are mainly cultured in Japan. However, with the technology transfer between Japan and China, China now produces Chinese cultured Akoya pearls and apparently a good deal of Akoya pearl production under 7mm on the market is from China. Japan maintains nearly all the 7mm+ size production themselves. The Akoya pearl is typically round or near round, available in white and cream shades with silver or pink overtones.
• Persian Gulf Pearls
  Natural pearls, also called ‘Oriental pearls’. Middle Eastern people have historically preferred natural to cultured pearls, although with the demise of natural and the plethora of cultured pearls, this is gradually changing. The Persian Gulf has been known as one of the main areas for the finest natural pearls. Modern pollution has unfortunately disrupted production.
• South Sea Pearls
  Generally refers to seawater pearls in a large area stretching from Thailand, Burma, Indonesia, Philippines, South East Asia, through north Australia, across to French Polynesia and the Tahitian Islands. They tend to be the largest and most expensive pearls available, especially from Australian waters. Golden, light-yellowish pearls are typical of those found in Indonesian and Philippine waters, whilst the white and silvery colours abound in Australian waters.
• Tahitian Pearls/Black Pearls
  Refers to pearls that are black as a natural colour from the black-lipped oyster. Typically, the only natural colour black pearls are the Tahitian pearls which range from 8mm – 18mm. The cultured pearl of Tahiti is legendary. They evoke sensations of power and magic. They can be black, light black/silvery, dark or light grey. The most rare colour is peacock green, similar to a peacock feather.