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Pearls |
Welcome to our selection of pearls.
Please make your category selection from the index at left.
At this time, the only pearls we offer are freshwater pearls. Freshwater pearls are formed by mussels in the same manner as sea pearls are formed in oysters. They are cultured, which means they are farmed by man. The price of pearls is based on the quality as well as their size. Pearls with higher luster will be more expensive, as will pearls that are nearly round or have special shapes.
Freshwater pearls are usually either bleached or dyed. The dye does not rub off, because pearls are very porous and absorb it well. Faceted pearls are usually coated with varnish, which will rub off over time and leave them looking dull. That's why we avoid them, although they are so beautiful when new, sometimes we can't resist and do purchase a small quantity.
Our pearls are from China, but the freshwater pearl industry started in Japan. There was also once a significant freshwater pearl business in the United States in the Mississippi River. Those pearls were used as buttons. Both Japan and the U.S. have experienced significant loss to their industry due to pollution. In Japan, Lake Biwa was a major player in pearl production, and, as a result, the name Biwa is now applied to all freshwater pearls. However, technically speaking, only pearls grown in Lake Biwa should be called biwa pearls.
Some special terms regarding pearl shapes may be useful information for you. Potato pearls are called that because they look kind of like potatos in that they are an elongated round shape. Stick pearls are simply long and flat pearls. Some people use the term biwa to describe them. Rice pearls are shaped like rice, hence their name. Semi-round pearls are called that because they are close to perfectly round, but just not quite there. Perfectly round pearls are extremely rare. Button pearls are domed on one side and flat on the other. Mabe pearls are button pearls that are attached to the shell, then cut out with a portion of the shell attached. Blister pearls are the same. Baroque pearls are oddly shaped or nugget-like pearls. Coin, heart, and square pearls are special shapes which have a piece of specially shaped shell on the inside that forms the base of the nacre that covers it. Nacre is the outer portion of the pearl that offers that beautiful light reflecting luster.
Akoya pearls are similar to freshwater pearls in appearance, but are cultured sea pearls that come from oysters, not mussels. They are generally more round than freshwater pearls.
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