subject: Types of pearls [print this page] Types of pearls Types of pearls
Pearls jewelry is the all time favorite jewelry, when you go for pearls jewelry shopping you should know about the quality and type of these pearls. This jewelry have different standards of quality than other jewelry. This is very important to familiarize yourself with the different levels of quality and options available to you.Pearl may be natural made or manmade and inside each category is different varieties of pearls. Akoya pearl is most popular type of the pearl, this pearl produce from the Akoya oyster. These pearls are available in different colors like light pink, white or yellowish. Akoya Pearls from the Akoya oyster are probably the most popular types of pearls. Natural pearls are formed by nature; these are formed around an irritant, such as a grain of sand, a piece of coral or seashell. This is the most valuable pearls, or already become part of antique jewelry. Freshwater pearls cultured in mussel's scientific name Hyriopsis that produced primarily in China, Japan. Most of the Chinese pearl farming takes place within about 480 km of Shanghai. These pearls have gradually changed their emphasis from quantity to quality.
Cultured pearls are formed by cultivating the oysters and placing the foreign particles in the shells. The foreign particles that are used are beads. That are placed in the shell and the pearl that is formed takes the shape according to that bead.
Saltwater pearls are cultivated in mollusks, which live in saltwater, like oceans. One pearl per oyster is produced and it may take more than two years for complete development. These pearls are of round shape and less durable as compared to freshwater pearls.
