The Rise of the Fresh Water Pearl
30th August 2014
While freshwater pearls were once confined to the low-end status of ‘Rice Krispie’ pearls, these pearls now have great appeal.
With the advancement of cultivation techniques over the last decade, freshwater pearl farmers have been able to produce pearls with mirror-like lustre that can rival the finest Akoya pearls, and the soft iridescent glow of South Sea Pearls. Freshwater pearls are also known for their delightful display strong orient. Orient is the beautiful iridescent rainbow effect created by light diffraction just beneath the pearl surface.
Furthermore, improvements in freshwater pearl cultivation have resulted in large, round freshwater pearls of sizes only previously available in South Sea and Tahitian pearls. Known for their extraordinary beauty and large sizes, South Sea pearls are considered by many the most luxurious of all pearls. In general, South Sea pearls measure between 8 to 20mm in diameter, with an average size being 13mm. Freshwater pearls can now be found in sizes up to 12mm.
Unlike saltwater cultured pearls, freshwater cultured pearls do not normally contain bead nuclei and therefore most of them are made of entirely solid nacre. On the other hand, cultured saltwater pearls are bead nucleated and their nacre thickness ranges between 0.2 mm and 4.0mm. This distinction makes freshwater pearls more durable than saltwater pearls.
Freshwater pearls also come in a wide variety of natural colours including white, cream, orange, pink, and lavender. They can also be dyed in colours that mimic Tahitian pearls.
The affordability of the freshwater pearl is also another major draw card. Supply and demand contributes to the value of pearls, and there is currently an abundance of freshwater pearls. Each freshwater mussel will produce up to 40 pearls, whereas one saltwater mollusk usually only produces one or two pearls.
Pearls have always been the pinnacle of femininity in the gem world. I have always loved incorporating them into my designs, and now with the emergence of high quality freshwater pearls, I am able to do so liberally as seen for example in my ‘Spirit of the Sea’ series of jewels.
I hope you enjoy wearing my fresh water pearl designs as much I have enjoyed creating them.