Types of pearls | Freshwater pearls
Freshwater pearls
Versatile and modern beads
Freshwater pearls are one of the most versatile and popular types of pearls today. They grow in lakes and rivers, and offer a wide range of shapes, sizes, and shades.
In the past, freshwater pearls were often perceived as simpler or cheaper (compared to saltwater pearls), but modern cultivation has significantly improved their quality. Many modern freshwater pearls are comparable in appearance and luster to saltwater pearls.
Freshwater pearls are an excellent choice for those who value natural variation, individuality, and good value for money.
This page is intended to specifically describe cultured freshwater pearls.
Origin and upbringing
The majority of the world's freshwater pearls are grown in China, which has a long tradition of pearl farming in lakes and reservoirs.
The environment in which freshwater pearls are grown is different from that of pearls grown in the sea, which affects their structure. In many freshwater pearls, the pearl is composed almost entirely of nacre, meaning there is a thick layer of nacre.
This makes freshwater pearls often durable, long-lasting, and very durable.
Size and shape
Freshwater pearls are particularly known for their diversity of shapes.
Common forms include:
- Round | Round
- Semicircular | Almost Round
- Rice -like | Rice
- Baroque | Baroque
- Waterdrop
The size varies widely, typically around 5–12 mm, but sometimes considerably larger sizes are available.
The variety of shapes makes freshwater pearls particularly popular in creative and modern jewelry designs.
Color scheme
Freshwater pearls offer the widest range of natural colors of all pearl types.
Typical shades are white, cream/off-white, peach, lavender and pink.
Many shades are natural, and some pearls may have been lightly treated to improve the uniformity of the shade. However, it is a good idea to have the pearl seller mention this separately.
Gloss and surface
The luster of freshwater pearls varies depending on their quality.
A good quality freshwater pearl can have a very clear surface, be soft and deep, and be vibrant and natural.
The surface may contain natural small variations in shape and surface, which are part of the nature of the pearls.
What makes freshwater pearls valuable?
The value of freshwater pearls is affected by luster, shape, size, surface cleanliness, evenness of color, and the thickness of the nacre layer.
High-quality freshwater pearls can be highly sought after, especially when they are exceptionally round and have a high luster.
These pearls are very diverse and due to their range, they can be obtained reasonably cheaply due to cosmetic imperfections, for example, but the highest quality ones easily reach the level of saltwater pearls!
For this reason, a general, indicative standard has been created for freshwater pearls. The quality can be generally described using letters and numbers, such as D-8A. The further up the alphabet you go, the worse the pearls are classified, while the more letters A and A, the higher the quality. The quality grade of the letter A is often abbreviated to 3A, or AAA, etc.
You can find the MV Pearl quality classification guide on the page “Freshwater pearl quality classification”, where you can learn more about the standards.
Freshwater pearls in jewelry
Freshwater pearls are ideal for everyday wear and celebrations, modern jewelry, personal design solutions, and layered and creative ensembles.
They offer the opportunity to combine the look of traditional beads with modern design!