The Difference between Fresh Water and Sea Pearls

By Jenny Rayes

Just like diamonds, pearl earrings are now fast becoming as girls' another best friend as they can also effectively put a significant glow on every woman in the form of a jewelry. From gorgeous earrings to eye catching necklaces, pearls have once again shown to the world what nature's wonders are all about.

Basically, pearls are classified into two types namely sea pearls and freshwater pearls. Sea pearls are grown from ocean waters, lagoons, and volcanic atolls, while the freshwater type comes from lakes, rivers, and ponds. The freshwater type is harvested inside a freshwater mollusk that has the capability of producing 50 pearls at a time.

To make these pearls, minute pieces of mantle tissue is settled inside the mollusk. They are referred to as pearl starters which are later on covered by the mollusk with its natural coating called nacre. Most often, 4 to 6 years is the required time to successfully grow a freshwater pearl to its maturity. On the contrary, sea pearls are limited in production with only a single pearl per oyster. Such type of pearl ahs three different sub groups which is the Akoya, Tahitian, and the South Sea pearls. Among them, South Sea pearls require the longest period of time to nurture a pearl which usually takes up to 6 years. Smaller kinds of South Sea pearls need a much shorter time which is usually a two year cycle.

When it comes to longevity, sea pearls are given the gift of preservation making them last their beauty for generations. Unfortunately, freshwater pearls can only showcase their beauty in a relatively short time. Their luster quickly fades eventually becoming chalky or milky. This basic property of freshwater pearls gave them the title of "the pearls to enjoy now." Due to the fact that sea pearls are more genuine both in quality and appearance, they usually cost a lot more expensive compared to freshwater pearls. A single strand of sea pearls can range from $3,000 to $100,000 while freshwater strands range from $300 to $1,500.

When it comes to their appearance, South Sea pearls are more unified in color compared to freshwater ones. South Sea pearls also have greater nacre quality appearing with a prominent halo and deeper iridescence.

Freshwater pearls are white with no strong overtones of other colors like silver, pink, and rainbow. An orient is a rare kind of saltwater pearls that only appears when there is a perfect combination of nacre thickness and quality.

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