Many people aren’t aware that there are both freshwater and saltwater pearls. And that the common freshwater mussels that inhabit many rivers, lakes, and ponds around the world can also produce pearls.
We’ll explore the differences between saltwater and freshwater pearls. We’ll also look at the difference between natural and cultured pearls. We’ll start with the lesser-known freshwater pearl.
What is a Freshwater Pearl?
Freshwater pearls come from mussels; a type of mollusk similar to an oyster. These are a different species than saltwater oysters, which are only found in saltwater or brackish water in estuaries and coastal waters. The freshwater pearls produced by these mussels have more variety in their shapes and colors. A single mussel can also produce many pearls, whereas an oyster rarely produces more than one.
The high volume of freshwater pearls produced by farmed mussels means that freshwater pearls are generally less valuable than saltwater varieties, although the value can vary due to the wider range of colors in freshwater pearls.
Freshwater pearls have natural colors that include, white, peach and light purple. These pearls also have a wider range of shapes, and the shapes of the pearls also have a bearing on their value.
What is the Difference Between Cultured and Natural Pearls?
Almost all the pearls sold around the world today, both saltwater and freshwater, are cultured pearls. There isn’t a physical difference between freshwater and saltwater cultured and natural pearls. Natural pearls are found in the wild, and the effort to find and harvest them isn’t supported by the prices they can demand. Cultured pearls represent a much more affordable, sustainable and easily harvested solution.
The Process of Seeding Pearls
The process of creating a pearl from both freshwater mussels and saltwater oysters also differs. It involves a process called tissue nucleation. For freshwater mussels, the pearl farmer pries open the shell of the mussel and inserts a small piece of the mollusk’s own mantle tissue. For saltwater oysters a spherical nucleus is inserted. The mantle is the semi-soft and muscular tissue that sits between the shell and the body of a mollusk. It’s used to create the force that enables the mollusk to filter the surrounding water through its body and feed off the nutrients.
The piece of mantle tissue irritates the mollusks and causes them to secrete a calcium-carbonate compound which surrounds the irritant. They keep adding to the compound until it becomes a smooth surface which no longer irritates the mollusk.
Saltwater oysters take from under a year to four or more years to develop a pearl, depending on the type and size of the oyster. Freshwater mussels can take from 2-7 years for the pearls to grow, and each freshwater mollusk can produce as many as two dozen pearls.
As the mollusk adds to the layers of calcium carbonate, the coating adopts a depth of luster, depth, and color that has caused pearls to become valuable all over the world since ancient times.
Where are Pearls Farmed?
The major producer of freshwater pearls is China. Japan is also famous for its highly-prized Akoya pearls, while other varieties of saltwater pearls are also grown and farmed in Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.
Tour a Pearl Farm in Phuket
If you’re planning a vacation to Phuket, you can find out more about the pearl farming industry first-hand by touring our pearl farm in Thailand. More than 50 years ago, the founders of Amorn Phuket Pearl Farm perfected pearl farming. They found that the waters around Phuket were the ideal environment for establishing a pearl farm.
We’ll ferry you by traditional long-tail boat out to our floating farm and show you the process of pearl farming. You’ll learn how we combine traditional methods with cutting-edge technology to increase the quality of the products while assuring the sustainability of our industry. We employ eco-friendly practices to ensure the health of the oysters and our marine environment.
Explore our Jewelry-making Process and Showroom
After your Thailand pearl farming tour, be sure to stop by our jewelry-making facility and visit our showroom as well. We have many exquisite pieces of pearl jewelry to choose from. You can buy a valuable and memorable souvenir of your trip to Phuket.
For those interested in the history and process of pearl farming, a visit to Amorn is an excellent way to spend a day. Make an appointment to visit our pearl farm on your next trip to Phuket.
