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This is a common question and often consumers are misguided because Freshwater pearls are cultured pearls. Pearls either fall in the natural category or the cultured category. 99% of pearls today are cultured, meaning the mollusk natural pearl making process has been guided along by man. Cultured pearls consist of Freshwater, Akoya, Tahitian, and South Sea pearls among others. When shopping in a jewelry store or any retail environment (with the exception of estate jewelers), the pearls are going to be cultured.

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15y ago
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7y ago

Freshwater pearls are grown in mussels living in rivers and lakes. These days, most pearls formed in freshwater come from China. However, most pearls, whether saltwater or freshwater, are cultivated, not natural. This means that a small piece of mollusk tissue or a bead was placed into the mollusk, which covered it with nacre – the material pearls are actually made of.

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12y ago

They are pearls that come from fresh water and are more shiny than salt water pearls.

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Q: Are fresh water pearls better than cultured?
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Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

Does algae grow better in fresh or salt water?

yes


How can you tell the difference between a natural Pearl and a cultured one?

A natural pearl when rubbed gently on your teeth will be "grity" while a cultered pearl will be smooth. == == That is not true. Both Natural and Cultured Pearls will be grity when rubbed gently on your teeth.


What is the percent of fresh water and salt water on earth and where is each type found?

The fresh water better than the salt water because the salt water has salt and that's not good for the living things


Do mint plants grow better in saltwater or freshwater?

Mint plants grow better in fresh water!


How are pearls harvested?

Natural Pearls In the past, natural pearls were collected by pearl divers primarily in areas around the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. Pearl divers would travel on a pearling vessel for weeks at a time, collecting shells from pearl beds. The shells were opened on board and the proceeds of the discovered pearls were split between the crew - not evenly, however. Today, natural pearls are primarily found as a byproduct of the fishing industry and to a smaller extent, local, intentional collection - especially in Central America. Cultured Pearls There are two varieties of cultured pearls; saltwater and freshwater. Their harvesting methods vary slightly. 1. SaltwaterSaltwater pearls are bead-nucleated pearls grown in the reproductive organ of saltwater mollusks. This is an organ in the body of the mollusk known as the gonad. When a pearl is harvested, the shell is opened slightly, an incision is made to the gonad and the pearl removed. In the case of Tahitian and South Sea pearl culture, a new nucleus is often inserted and another pearl is grown. In the case of akoya pearl production the mollusk is not renucleated. 2. FreshwaterFreshwater pearls are tissue-nucleated pearls grown in the mantle tissue organ of freshwater mussels. This is the large muscle that attaches to either side of the mussel's shell. Because this muscle is large, it may accept many implants, up to 16 on either side of the valve. When freshwater pearls are harvested, small incisions are made on the mantle and the pearls removed. Often the mussel is returned to the water to grow a second, bead-less regenerated pearl, or a CBSB beaded freshwater pearl.

Related questions

Are freshwater pearls worth more than cultured pearls?

Almost all freshwater pearls in the world wide market today are fresh water culture pearls from China. They are generally less expensive than similar sized Cultured pearls that are grown in Saltwater, but not always. There are effectively no natural pearls on the market, and there have not been many on the world wide market for at least the last 100 years.


what is the difference between pearls made by nature of those made by humans?

So, the main difference between natural and cultured pearls is the way the secretion process begins. With natural pearls, the process takes place in the ocean, without any human intervention. On the other side, cultured pearls require the assistance of pearl farmers to begin the nacre-forming process.


What gems are found in Illinois?

fresh water pearls =)


Your Pearl Earrings: What Kind of Pearls Are Those?

Pearls begin their existence as a grain of sand, irritating a mollusk�s soft internal tissues; in an effort to neutralize that irritation, the bivalve begins secreting calcium carbonate. Every mollusk can produce pearl-like objects in this manner, but the iridescent white gems we use in jewelry are produced by a family of mollusks called pearl oysters. There are fresh water pearl oysters and saltwater pearl oysters; salt-water pearls are rounder and larger, and generally command higher prices. Other criteria that determine the value of a pearl include the gem�s size, shape, symmetry, luster and color. Pearls come naturally in a variety of colors including white, cream, silver grey and black. Today, the majority of pearls used in jewelry are cultured pearls in which pre-formed beads are inserted into the oyster. Some less expensive cultured pearls implant beads that are fully sized so that all the oyster is used for is a few final layers of nacre. Some cultured pearls don't use oysters at all, but instead implant the irritant in cells cultured from the mollusk�s mantle; the majority of Chinese cultured pearls on the market today are made in this fashion. The three most popular types of cultured pearls are the Tahitian, Akoya and South Sea varieties. Tahitian cultured pearls are the most expensive of the trio: They reflect the colors of the stormy ocean from black to grayish green, and are larger and far more symmetrical than other types of cultured pearls. Akoya cultured pearls are symmetrical, saltwater pearls in lustrous shades of cream through pink, farmed in the Yellow Sea off China and the Sea of Japan off Japan. Finally, South Sea cultured pearls come from the waters off Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines; these pearls are more irregularly shaped and can be found in all different colors from white to black. Because they are so fragile, pearls require special care. Pearls are easily damaged by heat and chemicals so if they become dirty, never clean them with harsh detergents; instead use a lukewarm solution of water and mild soap. Never wear your pearls when you�re bathing, showering or exercising; wipe your pearls with a lint-free cloth when you take them off. Finally, finish your beauty routine completely before you put on your pearls: Additives in hair spray and beauty creams can damage them.


Singapore's Chinatown has a beauty technique that uses what?

Fresh water pearls


Where can one buy fresh water pearls?

Fresh water pearls can be purchased from Amazon, Fine Art America, YouPearl, Oh So Shabby by Debbie, Jewelry Making Magazines, Diya Gems & Beads, and Save-On-Crafts.


What is a fresh water pearl?

Freshwater pearls are a kind of pearl that comes from freshwater mussels. Real pearls come from shelled marine (salt water) mollusks, typically clams.


How are pearls cultivated?

AnswersMollusks from the family Bivalvia produce pearls. Oysters, from the family Osteridae, do not produce pearls; a common misconception.Say hi to Mr.Terrel for me!


What pearls are the most expensive a sea pearl or fresh water pearl?

All factors being equal, sea (saltwater) pearls are always more valuable than Freshwater pearls. However, a large, top quality Freshwater pearl can easily be more expensive than a small, low quality saltwater-cultured pearl. High luster, thick coating, smooth surface, minimal blemishes, large size, fascinating colors, and symmetrically shaped pearls are the most valuable. So it is not always the category of pearls, but the quality of the pearl that determines the price.


Can Bivalve form pearls?

Yes, all pearls come from bivalves though not all bivalves form pearls. Look at the inside of the shell and if it contains mother of pearl then the bivalve is capable of producing pearls. This holds true for both fresh and salt water bodies.


Does algae grow better in fresh or salt water?

yes


What part of the world do the real pearls come from?

The Mississippi River. Divers dive into the muddy water and feel around the bottom to find them. After pearls are removed the shells are ground up and sent to Japan where they place a piece of the shell in each oyster to grow a cultured pearl.