Saltwater Pearls - JewelInfo4u

Shopping for Pearls can be confusing - with so many different varieties of Pearls available in the market today. Mainly Pearls can be classified into Natural and Cultured Pearls. The oyster forms natural pearls without interference from humans and the shape of the pearl depends on the tiny fragment stuck inside the oyster shell. Natural pearls can be found in both freshwater mollusks (found in lakes and rivers) and the saltwater variety (normally found in the ocean beds). The Persian Gulf was one of the prime locations to locate Natural pearls but pollution has taken a toll and Natural pearls are almost extinct.

One of the varieties of Natural pearls is the Conch Pearl - it has a distinct pattern on its surface and a shining gloss. To find a conch pearl is extremely rare. The Natural pearls available in the market today are mainly antique pearls, which were harvested many decades ago. Another pearl, which is not cultured extensively so far, is the Abalone Pearl. Unlike other mollusks having two shells - one on top and the other down, the Abalone oyster has just one shell at the bottom. The pearl is formed in the same way as in other clams - with a miniscule particle causing the layers to be formed around it by the creature.

Due to the great demand for Pearls and the limited supply, Japan made the foray into culturing pearls by artificially introducing a miniscule round speck into the oyster. The oyster would then coat the object with nacre - layers of calcium carbonate - creating the pearl. The earliest Japanese cultured pearls were called Biwa Pearls since they were produced in Lake Biwa. Environmental pollution resulted in decreased production of cultured pearls from Japan and China seized the opportunity and is now the leading cultivator of cultured pearls in the world.

Cultured pearls are cultivated in several parts of the globe and their classification is based on the region where they are produced. Another form of classifying pearls is the shape of the pearl. Different Oyster species give rise to different pearls, time allowed for the mollusk to remain shut, the temperature and depth of the water, type of object inserted also influence the growth, color and size of the Pearl.

Akoya Pearls
Cultivated in the oceans of Japan and China are the Akoya Pearls. Tiny rounded specks are placed inside the shell of the mollusk and left for 2-4 years, after which they are harvested and sometimes treated to clear impurities in the Pearl - to make them more valuable. The Akoya producing mollusks can be harvested just once unlike the freshwater variety, which can be implanted with fresh fragments after the pearls have been harvested.

These pearls are very popular and the Japanese Akoya Pearls are more valued due to their larger size (above 7mm), their proportioned rounded shape and a better luster than the Chinese Akoya Pearls. It is found in hues of cream with grey and light pink shades. The average size of the Akoya pearl is between 2-9mm with the symmetrical, larger sizes commanding a higher price. A good quality Akoya pearl necklace with larger pearls can be bought for several thousand dollars.

Tahitian Pearls/Black Pearls
These unusual pearls found in hues of black, grey and the rare bluish-green are some of the most sought after Pearls in the world. Cultivated in the oceans of the South Pacific, these pearls are larger than the Akoya variety and have a natural beautiful sheen that makes them unique. The Tahiti Pearls are produced in the black-lipped oyster - which secretes the black or dark colored nacre that gives them their color. These pearls are larger than the Akoya pearls, often found in sizes from 9mm-18mm. The oyster, which produces these pearls, is large allowing larger pearls to grow inside and only one pearl can be cultivated inside one mollusk unlike the Akoya oyster, which can grow up to four pearls inside.

These pearls are far more expensive and their price depends on the depth of the color, size of the pearl and its luster. These are natural color pearls and do not require any treatment to enhance their appearance, which adds to their value. The Black pearls are famous and have been associated with magic and mystic. A necklace of matched Black Pearls is a collectors delight and its cost can go into five figures.


Australian / South Sea Pearls
The South Sea Pearl cultivated in the oceans in the south bordering Australia and some parts of South-east Asia is also known as the Australian Pearl. The cultivation methods used in producing these pearls is intricate and the number of pearls harvested are limited resulting in greater demand and higher prices. The oyster producing this pearl coats it with a thick nacre (layers of calcium carbonate), which make it more lustrous and attractive. This pearl is highly valued for its natural beauty - which is timeless. Some Australian pearls are handed down as heirlooms from generation to generation.

Found in several shapes, the spheres and the oval shapes are most in demand, these large pearls (10mm to 20 mm) are normally light-colored- white, silver, shades of pink, gold and blue. Just like Tahiti pearls, the Australian pearls too do not require any treatment to enhance their beauty making them a treasure. The Australian pearls are the said to be the most expensive pearls.

Saltwater pearls are more expensive than freshwater pearls, the techniques, costs and risks involved in producing saltwater pearls are much greater and the demand for these pearls exceed the supply resulting in higher prices. Of course the quality and luster is far higher than the freshwater varieties.

Owning a strand of pearls - freshwater or saltwater; cultured or natural is a great asset to everyone's jewellery collection.

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