How Many Types of Pearls?

How Many Types of Pearls?

How many types of pearls you know? Let me introduce the types of pearls for you now.

• Natural Pearls

  Natural pearls are formed when a small foreign object, such as a grain of sand, enters the shell of a mollusk. Over time, the mollusk secretes a substance called nacre around the object, eventually forming a pearl. Natural pearls are rare and highly valuable, making them a sought-after luxury item. Unfortunately, natural pearls have been over harvested throughout time, which led humanity to invent pearl culturing.

   

  Cultured Pearls

  Cultured pearls are formed in a similar way to natural pearls, but with the help of human intervention. A small bead (usually made of mother-of-pearl) or piece of tissue is inserted into the mollusk’s shell, and the mollusk forms a pearl around it. Cultured pearls are the vast majority of all the traded pearls nowadays. Any pearl you see in shops, or online nowadays, is cultured. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors as well.

  Freshwater Pearls

  Freshwater pearls are cultured pearls that are grown in freshwater mussels. They are typically smaller than saltwater pearls and come in a wide range of shapes and colors.

  Saltwater Pearls

  Saltwater pearls are cultured pearls that are grown in saltwater oysters. They are typically larger than freshwater pearls and have a more consistent shape. They come in a variety of colors: white, gold and black.

  When choosing between freshwater and saltwater pearls, it’s important to consider your personal preference and budget. Freshwater pearls are less expensive and come in a wider range of colors and shapes, while saltwater pearls are of substantially better quality and last for life. Freshwater pearls are often treated, and dyed to resemble saltwater pearls which leads to their luster and shine to fade quickly.