CULTURED FRESHWATER PEARLS

Unlike natural pearls that grow naturally in oysters and are rarity now, cultured pearls grow also in oysters but with little human help. A small mental tissue is surgically implanted inside the oysters and left in rivers, ponds, lakes or sea to grow naturally. Occasionally, the oysters are taken out of water to check pearls growth. Pearl farms constantly monitor the growth and quality of cultured pearls but we human have no control on pearls formation or its growth as this is a natural process and more so, because of water and climatic conditions, it is entirely left to Nature.

Difference between cultured freshwater pearls and cultured akoya pearls is the culturing technique and the type of oysters they grow in. Also akoya-cultured pearls are grown in seawater and cultured freshwater pearls are grown in rivers, lakes and ponds. It takes lesser period to grow cultured freshwater pearls, which is about 2-4 years than the akoya-cultured pearls. The freshwater pearls oyster usually brings about 7-8 pearls at the harvesting time, so there is more production of cultured freshwater pearls than their cousins akoya cultured pearls.

Akoya cultured pearls quality is known world over and very famous but with recent improved culturing techniques the quality of cultured freshwater pearls is improved significantly. Cultured freshwater pearls are much cheaper than the akoya cultured pearls and there are many variety of colors available in freshwater pearls such as white, black, peach, golden, lavender, pink and cream etc. Many designers now have the luxury to play with different colors of cultured freshwater pearls when it comes to making beautiful pearl jewelry.

Cultured freshwater pearls are available in many sizes from 3mm to 9mm but the most popular sizes are between 6-7mm and 7-8mm. Younger girls prefer to go for the lower size cultured freshwater pearls but again it’s a matter of personal taste and style. Women of all ages love wearing peal jewelry and pearl jewelry made with cultured freshwater pearls are wonderful gifts for the loved ones. Pearls are one of the best nature’s gifts. Enhance your beauty with amazing world of pearls.

AKOYA CULTURED PEARLS

All types of pearls are cultured pearls now as natural pearls are rarity. Two different methods are used in culturing pearls. One is bead-nucleating which is used in growing akoya-cultured pearls and the second is placing mental tissue in mollusks or oysters. It takes about 3-5 years to get good quality akoya cultured pearls. Akoya name means saltwater in Japanese language and akoya cultured pearls are very popular all over the world because of its intense luster and color brilliance.

Akoya cultured pearls are primarily cultivated in the sea salt waters off the coastal areas of Japan and China but in recent years China is producing in large quantity and their quality is exceeding remarkable. With new improved modern techniques of culturing pearls, it has become possible to harvest better quality akoya cultured pearls.

Kokochi Mikimoto of Japan had invented and patented the bead-nucleating technology of culturally growing these pearls in the seawaters. Very small mantle tissue beads are implanted inside the Pinctada fucata martensii oysters to form beautiful akoya cultured pearls. Akoya oyster rarely produces more than two pearls whereas freshwater oysters are nucleated to produce about fifty pearls each. Akoya cultured pearls normally take longer time to grow and the total quantity comparatively is not very large due to variable seawater climatic conditions and oysters’ mortality.

With the new improved technologies and constant monitoring of pearl growth in pearl oysters, akoya cultured pearls often come in very good quality. Although akoya cultured pearls do come in cream color or with rose overtones yet white color is the standard classic color when it comes to buying akoya-cultured pearls. Akoya cultured pearls generally come in nice round shape, their nacre is thick and luster is extra ordinary.

There is great demand for akoya-cultured pearls both in U.S and foreign markets. Akoya cultured pearls typically command higher values than freshwater pearls but comparatively cheaper than Tahitian and south seawater pearls. Pearl jewelry designed with lustrous akoya cultured pearls will compliment any outfit, be it casual or evening and party dress. You will often find women wearing pearl jewelry at work places. Akoya pearl jewelry adds to sophistication and women look very attractive and graceful.

It is always good to buy akoya pearl necklace with matching akoya pearl earrings and or bracelet. Akoya cultured pearls are indeed very alluring and make excellent luxurious gifts. Best of all, akoya cultured pearls have become affordable now. Enhance your beauty with most lustrous akoya cultured pearl jewelry.

WHITE PEARLS

It was a common belief that a gift of white pearls ensured the happiness of married couples. White pearls are the favorite of women in the U.S and Europe. White pearls are very famous for its natural luster and purity. The iridescence that some pearls display is caused by the overlapping of successive layers in a pearl, which breaks up light falling on the surface. White pearls are predominately of freshwater pearls and akoya pearls types. White pearls compliment all styles and color of dresses from casual to classy. Women look very elegant and graceful wearing white pearls around their necklines. Brides love white pearl jewelry and white pearls are the perfect wedding or anniversary gifts. High quality white pearls are very round in shapes and have perfect clean surfaces.

When choosing for quality white pearls, it’s important to keep in mind the nacre thickness, luster, surface texture, shape and size etc. Before the days of cultured pearls, all natural pearls were generally of white colors with a creamy or pinkish tinge. White pearls could have one or more overtones. White pearls can also be colored enhanced with peach, lavender, yellow, green, blue, brown, purple, or black etc. White pearls have become very affordable now and our association with direct pearl farms helps us to procure the best quality pearls and we offer customers all our pearl jewelry at wholesale discounted prices.