A complete guide to pearls
Three types of pearls and their differences
As the only gemstone to be produced naturally by a living being, so organically rather than geophysically, pearls are as fascinating as they are beautiful. There are three main kinds of pearls: freshwater pearls, saltwater pearls and imitation pearls. While they can all look fairly similar there are in fact some rather big differences in production, style, colour, origin and price. For instance, a freshwater mussel can produce up to 50 cultured freshwater pearls at once, whereas a saltwater oyster can only produce one, fully formed, pearl at a time. While the look of a cultured freshwater pearl is similar to that of a saltwater pearl, the relative rarity of saltwater pearls is one of the main reasons for their higher pricepoint. Also, did you know that you can tell the difference between a freshwater pearl and a saltwater pearl by their shape? Due to its creation process a freshwater pearl often has a more organic, irregular shape and appearance, whereas a saltwater pearl is almost always perfectly round! In short, pearls are versatile gems with different origins but always with a timeless look. Let’s dive (pun intended) deeper into the world of pearls.
What are imitation pearls?
Imitation pearls are made of glass, plastic or shell and have the look of cultured freshwater pearls but they’re often more versatile as they can be produced in various colours, sizes, styles and shapes. Because the makers have more control over the look of an imitation pearl they can look absolutely flawless whereas natural pearls often have slight imperfections. They can also be created in much higher quantities and are often designed to exact specifications, unlike natural pearls the shape and style of which can’t be determined beforehand, which means there’s lots of creative freedom when it comes to designing jewellery with imitation pearls!
What are cultured freshwater pearls?
There are two varieties of freshwater pearls: natural and cultured. Freshwater pearls are shimmering gems created by any type of mollusc, though most often mussels, living in freshwater sources, such as lakes, ponds, rivers and streams primarily in China and Japan. Freshwater pearls are created naturally by the mollusc as a defense mechanism to an irritant inside its shell, whereas cultured freshwater pearls are created by human intervention when a pearl farmer places an irritant inside the shell of the mussel by hand. Once an irritant enters the shell of the mollusc (naturally or by human placement) it produces layers of mother of pearl: a combination of calcium carbonate and organic materials, which covers the irritant and over time produces a pearl. Because the pearl is created around a piece of natural tissue (the irritant), the pearls are slightly irregular in shape and often have a line or indent indicating where the pearl began. (Cultured) freshwater pearls come in a variety of colours depending on the nacre of the shell, but naturally tend to be white, peach, pink, or light lavender and they have a beautiful, soft iridescence.
What are saltwater pearls?
The main difference between saltwater and freshwater pearls is their origin. As the name suggests, saltwater pearls are sourced from oysters that live in saltwater bodies of water, like the ocean and lagoons. Saltwater oysters will only produce one pearl at a time, and it takes between 6 to 18 months to make a pearl, making them rarer and therefore more valuable than cultured freshwater pearls. There are a number of different types of saltwater pearls but the three main types are: Tahitian, Akoya and South Sea pearls, each of which tend to come in different colours. Most often you’ll see dark & iridescent Tahitian pearls, blue or grey Akoya pearls and silvery white or golden South Sea pearls. Of course, whichever colour you choose, they’re always going to have a gorgeous lustrous shine.
Why use cultured freshwater pearls or imitation pearls?
Firstly, cultured saltwater pearls are rare as they’re difficult to farm, and are produced in much smaller volumes (only producing one pearl per oyster) making them more expensive than cultured freshwater pearls and imitation pearls. At My Jewellery our goal is to offer premium quality jewellery at an affordable price that’s accessible to everyone, which is why we use cultured freshwater pearls or imitation pearls over saltwater pearls. Saltwater pearls are also softer and more susceptible to losing their shine with every day wear than cultured freshwater. And simply put, we want our jewellery to be durable so you can wear it every day & celebrate every moment in your favourite jewellery pieces. In fact, when cared for correctly, cultured freshwater pearl jewellery can be passed down for generations to come, sealing that precious connection between you and your loved ones! Finally, cultured freshwater pearls tend to have a more organic shape and come in more colours than saltwater pearls, thereby lending themselves well to the signature playful & unique My Jewellery style!
How to look after your genuine pearls?
If you have freshwater pearl jewellery that you’d like to one day pass on to your loved ones, it’s important to know how to properly care for your freshwater pearls. While freshwater pearls are durable, they are also fairly soft making them sensitive to scratching, acid, high temperatures, sunlight and drying out. These four tips will keep your freshwater pearls looking bright and glowing for years to come:
- Tip 1: Keep your pearl jewellery away from high temperatures and direct sunlight. Take your pieces off before going into the sauna and don’t leave them lying out in the sun.
- Tip 2: Don’t expose your pearl jewellery to too much water. Take your pieces off before showering, swimming or anything else that might get your pearl jewellery wet.
- Tip 3: Don’t use acid based cleaning products to clean your pearl jewellery. Simply soak a soft towel in some lukewarm water and gently pat your freshwater pearl clean.
- Tip 4: Your freshwater pearl jewellery is made to be worn! In fact, the natural oils in your skin will keep the pearls from drying out, so no saving your favourite pearl jewellery for a special occasion!
How can you tell if your pearls are real?
There are five easy ways to determine whether the pearl in your jewellery is a genuine freshwater pearl.
- 1: Look at the surface of your freshwater pearl. As with everything created in nature, genuine freshwater pearls will often have slight imperfections on the surface.
- 2: Admire the lustre. Genuine freshwater pearls have a soft, matte lustre that delicately reflects light, whereas imitation pearls are often shinier and more glowy.
- 3: Feel the texture. If you rub your freshwater pearl over your teeth you will notice a slight grainy texture, this is a sign of a genuine freshwater pearl.
- 4: Feel the temperature. This might seem odd, but genuine freshwater pearls will feel cool to the touch, while imitation pearls take on room temperature.
- 5: Weigh the pearl. If you have multiple pearls, a genuine freshwater pearl will be heavier than an imitation pearl of a similar size.
How can you determine the quality of a freshwater pearl?
Once you’ve established whether your freshwater pearl is genuine, you can try to determine the quality of your freshwater pearl. One of the most important things to look at is that signature glow or sheen of a genuine freshwater pearl. The more the freshwater pearl glows and softly reflects light, the higher the quality of pearl. As with all gemstones the absence of imperfections, and the size, shape and weight of the freshwater pearl also determine the quality and value of your freshwater pearl.
My Jewellery pearl jewellery
At My Jewellery we offer a wide selection of pearl jewellery, featuring either cultured freshwater pearls or imitation pearls made from glass or plastic. If you’re unsure about the materials used in your favourite pieces see the description of the item for all the details! If you want to know more about the materials we use for our jewellery and clothing see our materials page for all the details.