Freshwater Versus Saltwater Pearls
November 11th, 2009
Freshwater and saltwater pearls look very similiar, but come from different sources. Natural freshwater pearls come from different species of freshwater mussels, which can live in lakes, rivers, ponds and other bodies of fresh water. However, today most freshwater pearls are cultured and come from China. On the other hand, saltwater pearls grow within pearl oysters, which live in oceans. Most saltwater pearls are gathered in the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the coastal waters of India and Japan. These saltwater pearls are referred to as marine pearls. Cultivated saltwater pearl oysters are developed in protected lagoons or volcanic atolls. The three most common types of saltwater pearls are akoya pearls, Tahitian pearls, and South Sea pearls.
Entry Filed under: Miscellaneous