Jewelry making can be fun and rewarding. With so many gemstones, beads, shells, and crystals to choose from, jewelry makers can create many unique designs. Among the many bead choices is the popular pearl. Pearls add elegance and a beautiful touch to any piece of jewelry. With so many types of pearls available, choosing the right one can get overwhelming. There are two main types of pearls which are widely using in making jewelry. Freshwater and saltwater pearls both provide an inexpensive way to dress up jewelry.
Freshwater Pearls Provide Variety
Freshwater pearls are cultured from mussels found in non-saltwater bodies such as lakes and rivers. They are not naturally made, as the mussels are manipulated into making the pearls through the insertion of a mother-of-pearl bead nucleus. In the early 19th Century, the United States was the leading source for freshwater pearls. Due to over-harvesting, this is no longer the case. Today, the largest producer is China who has been harvesting them since the 13th Century.
Freshwater pearls are inexpensive and popular among society. According to Fred Ward in his article titled The Culture of Freshwater Pearls, "A great irony of pearl history is that the least expensive cultured pearl product in the market today rivals the quality of the most expensive natural pearls ever found."
Characteristics of Freshwater Pearls
- Available in a variety of shapes
- Available in a variety of colors
- Durable
- Inexpensive
- Popular among jewelry makers
- The average sizes are 4 mm to 10 mm
Saltwater Pearls Provide Elegance
The saltwater pearl is cultured from oysters that live in a saltwater environment. These pearls are cultured through a manipulation process similar to the freshwater pearl. The oyster can only grow one pearl at a time, making them more expensive than freshwater pearls.
Characteristics
- Smooth
- Round
- Glossy surface
- Moderate luster
- Color is mostly white or light
The three common types of saltwater pearls are akoya, tahitian, and south sea pearls. Akoya pearls are the most popular type of pearl. They are almost perfectly round ranging in size from 2 mm to 11 mm. They are white or cream colored with overtones of pink, silver, or green.
Tahitian pearls are one of the largest pearls. Sizes range from 9mm to 16mm.They mostly come in black; however, they can also be metallic silver or graphite with overtones of blue, purple, or green.
South Sea pearls are the rarest of the popular pearl types. The average size is 13 mm; however, they can be found in sizes that range from 8 mm to 20 mm. These pearls have a satin shine and are available in many colors. The most popular colors are white, silver, and gold, as these colors are rare in other types of pearls.
The above pearl types are only the beginning. There are many different types of pearls that fall under the freshwater and saltwater categories. They all provide a unique look with various shapes, sizes, and colors. More information about different types of pearls can be found at Jewelry Design Gems.
References
- "Freshwater Pearl." Shecy Pearls. Shecy Pearl Jewelry, 2011. Web. 3 May 2011.
- "How Are Pearls Made?" Kari Pearls. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 May 2011.
- "The World's Largest Pearl Information Source." Pearl-Guide.com. Pearl-Guide, 2011. Web. 3 May 2011.
- Ward, Fred. "The Culture of Freshwater Pearls." Nova Online. Nova, 2000. Web. 3 May 2011.
Jenny Shinsky - Jenny is a freelance writer and has written many online and print articles through her current employer. She has a Bachelor's Degree in ...
