The least expensive cultured pearl product on the market today rivals the quality of he most expensive natural pearls ever found.  This is becoming more apparent to consumers as they are purchasing more and more Chinese freshwater pearls instead of the more expensive salt water variety.

In the 1990's, China impressed the pearl market by producing freshwater pearls that were of much higher quality than previously produced.  So, the formerly "inferior" freshwater pearl is now a very strong opponent of their saltwater counterparts.

Freshwater pearls are farmed in freshwater and grown in mussels.  The freshwater cultivating process producs up to 20 pearls per oyster.

Pearl Stud Earrings 

Saltwater Cultured Pearls are farmed in saltwater, and grown in oysters.  Only one pearl is grown per oyster. This makes salt-water pearls more expensive than freshwater pearls.  Countries known as producers of saltwater pearl are Burma, Indonesia, Thailand, and Philippines in South East Asia; Australia and Tahiti in the South Pacific, produce the beautiful black pearls.

Fuschia Freshwater Pearl Choker Necklace

Fuschia freshwater pearls combine with Mother of Pearl stones and smaller accent beads to create a beautiful triple strand necklace.  Finished with a handcrafted sterling silver clasp. Overall length is 17".  Matching earrings available.

$69.99

Freshwater pearls are all pearl; a big selling point for freshwater pearls.  Because there is no hard nucleus inserted in freshwater pearls, they are almost all nacre.  If you were to purchase a saltwater or South Seas pearl it would need to be almost twice the size of a freshwater pearl to have the same thickness of nacre.  This would undoubtedly cost a small fortune.

Freshwater pearls have become very popular since they come in a wide range of colors.  Their saltwater variety come in many different shades than the freshwater pearls.  Freshwater pearls can be found in almost any shape as well.  They can be round, oval, drop, rice or button.  Because of the popularity of freshwater pearls, the round shape is ttypically the most expensive.

Freshwater Pearl Charm Bracelet

Saltwater pearls take two to three years to cultivate, vs. freshwater pearls which can be cultivated in a much shorter period of time.  Longer cultivations periods result in bigger pearls of higher quality, but new farming techniques and longer cultivation periods have now increased the size and quality of freshwater pearls. 

Orange Freshwater Pearl Bracelet

Pink Freshwater Cluster Earrings

$19.99

Crystal and Pearl Chandelier Earrings

Swarovski crystls and pearls create the perfect chandelier earrings.  Finished with sterling silver hoops.

$29.99 

Sterling Silver & Natural Peach Freshwater Pearl Bracelet, 7"

Watch for freshwater pearls to continue to improve in size and quality, and for them to rival their saltwater rival.