The process to create a cultured pearl takes the right resources, a great deal of time and careful attention to detail on every level. When many people think of pearls, they think of round, white, perfectly uniform beads, but baroque pearls are often the complete opposite of that appearance. Despite a common focus on perfectly round and uniform pearls, some people are drawn to the unusual shapes and colors of the baroque variety. Tahitian pearls are the most valuable type of baroque pearls. A mere 10 percent of freshwater pearls are perfectly round. Most freshwater pearls are baroque, although sometimes saltwater pearls can be baroque. The first certified sustainable pearl fishery was for saltwater pearls in Australia.īaroque pearls are those that have an irregular shape. Saltwater pearls are produced all over the Pacific region, including in Japan and Australia. They are produced primarily in China, although to a lesser extent in Japan and parts of the United States. For both types, it takes several years from start to finish for a pearl to be created.įreshwater pearls are the most widely available, generally sold for a more affordable price than saltwater pearls. Saltwater pearls, however, only grow one pearl at a time.
Mussels can produce many freshwater pearls at once - as many as 50 at a time. One main difference between the two major types is the amount of them that can be produced at one time. Both saltwater and freshwater pearls can be found in a variety of diverse hues, including blue, green, yellow and purple. Akoya pearls are well known as one of the roundest and most flawless types of pearls. An example of saltwater pearls is the Akoya pearl, a particularly lustrous and beautiful type of pearl harvested mostly around Japan. Saltwater pearls are created by oysters in the ocean.
Freshwater pearls are found in smaller bodies of water, such as rivers and lakes, and are produced by mussels. The type of water that a pearl is grown in can significantly impact its value. Most pearls fall into two categories: freshwater and saltwater. By farming pearls more sustainably, not only does the environment benefit but so too does every other link in the cultivation chain. Sustainable harvesting presents an ideal solution to these concerns as well as that of the economic importance of pearl farming for many areas that struggle with few opportunities to generate income. Commercial pearl farming by large corporations has led to ecological decline and pollution due to harmful practices that don’t consider the well-being or sustainability of marine life. Pearl cultivation requires the proper ecological ingredients, presenting a challenge in recent decades due to climate shifts, habitat disruption and over-farming. High demand led to the scientific discovery of pearl cultivation nearly a hundred years ago because naturally occurring pearls are a rarity. Because of their beauty, pearls have been utilized for centuries by jewelry makers. Instead, they are harvested from living creatures after a lengthy and painstaking process. Elegant and lustrous, these stones are the only type of gemstone that doesn’t come from the ground. Pearls are a special kind of gem that are as unique as they are beautiful.