What Are Freshwater Pearls?

Freshwater pearls are created by freshwater mussels in lakes, rivers, and ponds. These pearls are found in the market, often originating from rivers and cultivated in places like Thailand. While the USA and Japan have a smaller share of the market, freshwater pearls are predominantly cultured rather than occurring naturally.

The current scientific cultivation technique involves trained technicians implanting stimulants into the mussels to encourage pearl formation. Unlike the commonly used nuclei in Akoya and other saltwater pearl cultures, freshwater pearls typically use tissue from donated mussels as nuclei. These pearls do not contain nacreous nuclei but are entirely composed of nacre layers. The advantage of a thick nacre layer is that freshwater pearls become more durable and beautiful.

Freshwater Pearl Colors and Overtones

Freshwater pearls come in various colors, including white, cream, and gray. Additionally, you’ll find pastel hues such as Canary yellow, lavender, and coral. High-quality freshwater pearls may exhibit pink, green, or blue accents, while low-quality gemstone pearls lack these desirable features. White, cream, mauve, and black are the most popular colors for freshwater pearls. However, it’s essential to note that black freshwater pearls are artificially dyed; only Tahitian pearls occur naturally in charcoal gray to black shades.