Which pearls are best

A fine strand of South Sea pearls is the ultimate in luxury! South Sea pearls are farmed in the Pinctada maxima saltwater oyster, which grows up to a foot in diameter at maturity. It is the largest pearl producing oyster in production today. In order to maintain the genetic diversity of the oyster population, ONLY wild oysters are bred to create farm stock, and then released back to the oceans. Cultured Pearl Types - Insider's Guide.

Akoya Pearls. Akoya Pearl Fast Facts:. Japan is the acknowledged leader in Akoya pearl production — known to produce the best, most consistently beautiful Akoya pearls in the world. Shop our Akoya Pearls. Freshwater Pearls. Typically round and with thicker nacre than other types of pearls, South Sea pearls take longer to grow. South Sea pearls make for eye-catching statement jewelry. Sea of Cortez Mabe Pearl. See it here. Pearls grown in the wild without the aid of human intervention are extremely rare today, although at one time they were the only pearls available.

These would be the Sea of Cortez pearls, which are so rare only about of them are harvested each year. These pearls come from a single source in Mexico and are very hard to find on the market. Along with the Tahitian pearl, the Sea of Cortez pearl is the only other naturally dark pearl variety.

You can only find Sea of Cortez pearls in pendants, rings and earrings. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Created by a living creature over many years, each pearl is unique in its color, luster, size, and shape. Pearls are one of the most beautiful and surprising gemstones available, and they make enduring and memorable gifts.

Buying pearls for the first time can sometimes be confusing, especially since you will be confronted by hundreds of different varieties at an enormous range of prices.

Our Cultured Pearl Starter Necklace can be created with your choice of the finest-quality Japanese Akoya Cultured Pearl or genuine natural pearls , depending on your budget and preference.

What makes every pearl variety unique? Saltwater pearls come from oysters and mussels in oceans, seas, gulfs and bays. They are usually high-quality and more expensive than freshwater pearls. Freshwater pearls are found in mollusks and rivers, lakes and ponds. They are generally more irregular and varied in shape than saltwater pearls. Akoya pearls are the preeminent cultured pearls. They are the pearls that the Mikimoto brand popularized.

Prized by royalty and pearl connoisseurs for centuries, Akoya pearls have long been coveted for their perfectly round shape, richness, and deep luster.

The natural body colors range from light pink to white to pale yellow, and include green and blue gray tones. Pearls are most commonly white and black, but they can also be other colors including green and pink. For many centuries, pearls have been a symbol of beauty and elegance. They remain a popular choice for jewelry, including bracelets , pendants and earrings.

Many classic and modern styles of jewelry are available in each type of pearl. There are two types of pearls: natural pearls and cultured pearls. Both are beautiful options for fine jewelry including necklaces and earrings. With natural pearls, the mollusk comes from an organism in the water. They can form in saltwater or freshwater. Natural pearls are incredibly rare. Most natural pearls have already been harvested, making them extremely costly and difficult to find.

For cultured pearls, the mollusk usually a tiny bead is inserted manually. There are two main categories of cultured pearls: freshwater and saltwater. Freshwater pearls are grown in mussels in lakes, rivers, ponds, and reservoirs. Most freshwater pearls are from China. Saltwater pearls are grown in bays and inlets across Asia and Australia.

There are three main varieties of saltwater pearls: Tahitian pearls, South Sea pearls, and Akoya pearls. In general, saltwater pearls are considered more valuable than freshwater pearls.

Natural pearls are incredibly rare and expensive, while cultured pearls are widely available and affordable. Jewelry on the market today is made almost exclusively with cultured pearls. Natural pearls are made without human intervention, whereas cultured pearls require human involvement. Natural pearls are nearly all antiques and are sold at auctions for huge price tags.

First, you want to gauge the level of luster: how shiny or reflective the pearl is. The more shiny, the more beautiful the pearl is, and often times, the more expensive. Second, look at the surface quality. Are there imperfections or blemishes? Pearls that are nearly perfectly round tend to be worth more than pearls that are oval or off-round.

However, some people prefer different shapes, like these baroque pearls from Blue Nile. Remember, though, that the style of pearl you choose is up to you.

Overall, read through our guide and view the sample jewelry to see which pearl variety catches your eye the most. Saltwater pearls are produced by mollusks implanted inside of an oyster that lives in salt water.

Originally from oceans near Thailand, Indonesia, Tahiti and Australia, saltwater pearls can be grown in other parts of Asia, including China, Japan and Vietnam.