If, when you picture freshwater pearls, lumpy linen-colored rice
shapes come to mind, it's time to update your thinking. Today's
freshwater pearls have come a long way from their humble beginnings,
and the best specimens now rival the beauty of their saltwater
cousins--the akoya pearl, the Tahitian pearl and the South Sea pearl.
When shopping for pearl jewelry, don't neglect to consider freshwater
cultured pearl jewelry. You will be pleasantly surprised by the
quality, and even happier with the price.
What are Freshwater Cultured Pearls?
Freshwater cultured pearls are pearls that are grown in mollusks that
live in freshwater ponds, lakes and rivers rather than in the ocean.
Freshwater pearls are produced in mussels; saltwater pearls are
produced in oysters. 'Natural' pearls are those that grow without any
human intervention. The term 'cultured' does not mean that pearls are
imitation, rather it means that the pearl growth process was
deliberately started by man. Both natural and cultured pearls are
identical in makeup--they're comprised of nacre, the same substance
that mother-of-pearl is made of. Due to overfishing, natural pearls
are very rare. Most pearls sold today are cultured.
History of Freshwater Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater pearls are produced in Japan, the United States and China,
but Chinese freshwater pearls are by far the most abundant. When the
Chinese made freshwater pearls widely available in the 1970s, the crop
consisted mainly the rice-shaped gems many people still associate with
freshwater cultured pearl jewelry. But surprisingly, the 1970s weren't
the start of pearl culturing in China. In fact, the Chinese were
culturing pearls back in the thirteenth century!
According to the Gemological Institute of America, ancient Chinese
pearl farmers used several types of nuclei, or starter beads, to begin
the pearl growing process. These included spheres of mother-of-pearl,
molten lead or small pieces of metal. Buddha figures were also a
popular shape. These early pearl farmers would carefully pry open the
mussel, insert the foreign object, return the animal to the water and
wait for the mussel to do its work. Then the blister pearl, a pearl
that is grown against the animal's shell and therefore flat on one
side, was retrieved and cut and shaped into jewelry.
For much of modern times, China was relatively quiet in the pearl
culturing industry. Then, in the 1970s, the country stunned the
industry by flooding the pearl market with massive amounts of low
quality, inexpensive freshwater cultured pearls. About two percent of
the crop was of a finer quality and better shape. Gradually, Chinese
pearl farmers learned how to produce more and more of this better
quality freshwater cultured pearl by increasing the size, improving
the shape and improving the luster, or surface sheen, of the gems.
Because Chinese freshwater cultured pearls have a fairly long growth
period--up to six years--results of improved techniques can take a
while before they're apparent. Yet according to GIA, the quality of
Chinese freshwater cultured pearls has been steadily and slowly
improving. Meanwhile, pollution and overcrowding have waged war on the
Japanese akoya pearl market, giving pearl experts and pearl jewelry
lovers another reason to take a closer look at finer quality Chinese
freshwater cultured pearls.
Interestingly, nearly all saltwater cultured pearls are implanted with
mother-of-pearl beads made from ground American mussel shells.
Therefore, even saltwater pearls are partly freshwater!
Freshwater Pearl Characteristics
Freshwater cultured pearls are produced in mussels belonging to the
family Unionidae. A great deal of freshwater pearls are nucleated, or
implanted, with mantle tissue only, which is taken from a donor
mussel. Because they do not contain a starter "bead," tissue-nucleated
freshwater pearls are almost 100% nacre. This gives them a beautiful
luster and a durable surface that won't easily flake or peel to reveal
the inner bead. By contrast, pearls that are bead-nucleated and
prematurely harvested often have only a thin coating of nacre that is
prone to flaking and chipping. Unfortunately, unlike other gemstones,
pearls cannot be polished back to perfection once they're destroyed.
Freshwater pearl-producing mussels can accept up to 50 implants at a
time. They typically require 2-6 years to grow, and the finished pearl
typically ranges in size from 4mm to 11mm. Larger freshwater pearls do
exist, although their bigger size will likely be reflected in a bigger
price tag. Approximately 60% of a typical freshwater pearl crop is
made up of button pearls (flat on one side) or oval pearls. Only about
2% of the harvest is round, according to the latest information from
the Gemological Institute of America. Baroque (no symmetry) and semi-
baroque pearls typically make up the remainder of the crop. As with
Tahitians and other pearl types, in a skilled designer's hands, these
unique pearls can be turned into extremely beautiful jewelry.
Colors of Freshwater Pearls
Other than their affordable price tag, perhaps the most notable
characteristic of freshwater pearls is their striking array of
beautiful, natural pastel colors. When it comes to color, the
freshwater cultured pearl offers a wonderful variety not found in its
saltwater counterparts. Pastels like cream, white, yellow, orange, and
pink are common. Universally flattering lavender pearls are enjoying a
surge in popularity today. Romantic pink pearl jewelry is a popular
Valentine's Day gift.
Freshwater Pearl Jewelry Care
Freshwater cultured pearl jewelry should be cleaned as you would other
pearl jewelry: Gently wipe each gem with a damp cloth that has been
dipped in a mild soap and water solution. Allow pearls to air dry
fully before wearing them again to ensure that the nylon or silk
thread has returned to its natural length (strands can stretch when
wet). To keep freshwater pearl jewelry in mint condition, always put
them on last when getting dressed. Hairspray, perfumes makeup and
other chemicals can dull pearls' luster over time. Pearl jewelry
should be worn often, however, as the skin's natural oils supply much-
needed moisture. Store pearl jewelry in their own box; pearls can be
scratched by other gems.
Freshwater Pearl Jewelry in Today's Fashions
Due to their abundance and wide array of gorgeous pastel colors,
freshwater pearls are finding favor with today's top jewelry
designers. Famous names like David Yurman and Paolma Picasso for
Tiffany & Co. are incorporating freshwater pearls into their jewelry
creations, sometimes combining the freshwater gems with saltwater
pearls and other gemstones for a striking look, or mixing colors and
shapes for artistic effect. You can see freshwater pearl jewelry
everywhere today, from the red carpet to the boardroom and beyond.
Luckily, unlike their Tahitian and South Sea counterparts, freshwater
pearl jewelry prices are within the reach of most consumers.
Freshwater Pearl Facts
From the Gemological Institute of America, www.gia.edu
- Freshwater blister pearl (pearls grown against the inside of the
shell) culturing was widespread in thirteenth century China
- Some mussels can yield up to 40 cultured pearls at a time
- Freshwater pearl growth typically takes from two to six years
- Most freshwater pearl farmers nucleate with mantle tissue only (no
starter bead)
- Tissue-nucleated freshwater pearls are almost 100% nacre
- China produces over 10 times the cultured pearl volume of all other
countries combined
- Chinese pearl farmers have changed their emphasis from quantity to
quality
- Most Chinese freshwater pearl farming takes place within 300 miles
of Shanghai
- Unlike Chinese cultured pearls, American freshwater cultured pearls
are not bleached
For great deals and a wide selection on freshwater cultured pearls,
visit http://www.moonriverpearls.com
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