Determine Which Type of Pearl You Need
When a small foreign object gets introduced into the body of an oyster or mollusk the organism produces a soft coating of calcium carbonate (nacre) around it, creating a pearl. Small foreign objects don't wander into mollusks very often so pearl cultivators insert microscopic objects into the organisms to create cultured pearls. You'll find four popular types of cultured pearls on eBay:
Freshwater cultured pearls: Affordable freshwater cultured pearls originate in the freshwater lakes and rivers of China. They often have an asymmetrical shape, medium to high luster, and measure between 3.5 mm and 7.0 mm. Freshwater cultured pearls are mostly white, but can have a pink or rose tint.
Tahitian cultured pearls: Tahitian cultured pearls have a unique black to grayish-green color. The large pearls, ranging from 11 mm to 13 mm, are farmed on the volcanic atolls and reefs of Tahiti. They are mostly round in shape and have a rich, high luster. Tahitian cultured pearls tend to cost more than other types of pearls based on their scarcity and unique look.
Akoya cultured pearls: Akoya cultured pearls are a type of saltwater pearl from China and Japan. They have round, symmetrical shape with few blemishes and measure between 6 mm and 8.5 mm. Akoya cultured pearls have a higher luster than freshwater pearls, average pricing, and a light color that ranges from cream to white/pink.
South Sea cultured pearls: Large South Sea cultured pearls (up to 13 mm), farmed in Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, range in color from white to black. They can have a perfectly round to slightly asymmetrical shape and medium to high luster. Price varies depending on luster
When a small foreign object gets introduced into the body of an oyster or mollusk the organism produces a soft coating of calcium carbonate (nacre) around it, creating a pearl. Small foreign objects don't wander into mollusks very often so pearl cultivators insert microscopic objects into the organisms to create cultured pearls. You'll find four popular types of cultured pearls on eBay:
Freshwater cultured pearls: Affordable freshwater cultured pearls originate in the freshwater lakes and rivers of China. They often have an asymmetrical shape, medium to high luster, and measure between 3.5 mm and 7.0 mm. Freshwater cultured pearls are mostly white, but can have a pink or rose tint.
Tahitian cultured pearls: Tahitian cultured pearls have a unique black to grayish-green color. The large pearls, ranging from 11 mm to 13 mm, are farmed on the volcanic atolls and reefs of Tahiti. They are mostly round in shape and have a rich, high luster. Tahitian cultured pearls tend to cost more than other types of pearls based on their scarcity and unique look.
Akoya cultured pearls: Akoya cultured pearls are a type of saltwater pearl from China and Japan. They have round, symmetrical shape with few blemishes and measure between 6 mm and 8.5 mm. Akoya cultured pearls have a higher luster than freshwater pearls, average pricing, and a light color that ranges from cream to white/pink.
South Sea cultured pearls: Large South Sea cultured pearls (up to 13 mm), farmed in Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, range in color from white to black. They can have a perfectly round to slightly asymmetrical shape and medium to high luster. Price varies depending on luster
,
