Pearls 101: Freshwater Cultured Pearls
Jewelry Basics
Overview
Freshwater cultured pearls are the most plentiful and therefore the most affordable of all cultured pearls. The pearls are cultivated from mussels, primarily harvested in China. Each freshwater mussel produces up to 40 pearls, while one saltwater mollusk produces only one or two.
Appearance
Freshwater cultured pearls used in jewelry usually range from 6mm to 12mm in diameter. Because of their culturing process, freshwater cultured pearls are seldom perfectly round. They come in a variety of color options and may be dyed to create their colorful appearance.