Types of Pearls

A round object made of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form produced within a soft tissue of a living shelled mollusk is known as pearl. It is usually round in shape and smooth. However, there are many other shapes of pearls that occur naturally. Today, the finest quality of natural pearls is valued as one of the nine gemstones. Here we take a look at the types of pearls.

Types of Pearls - Categories

There are two main categories of pearls - The freshwater and the saltwater pearls. There is also another category called cultured pearls.

Freshwater Pearls: The freshwater mussels that live in ponds, lakes and rivers are capable of producing pearls. There are many historical evidences to prove China was harvesting freshwater pearls since 13th century. The earliest record was from 2206 BC. Another country, which produces freshwater pearls, is the United States.

The freshwater pearls are not as round as saltwater pearls. They are also less expensive compared to the saltwater pearls. They are available in variety of shapes and natural colors. Freshwater pearls are solid nacre and they are considered to be more durable than the saltwater pearls. These pearls have a resistance to wear and tear, and do not degenerate.

Saltwater Pearls: Saltwater Pearls are harvested from the oysters that live in bay, ocean, gulf or sea. Saltwater oyster pearls are the gift of nature and are known for their fine round shape.

Both the freshwater and the saltwater pearls can be cultured.

Different Types of Pearls

Akoya Pearls: Pearls harvested from Akoya oysters is known as akoya pearls. It is one of the most popular pearls and is cultured in various natural colors ranging from light pink, yellow and white. Akoya pearls are cultured in Japan, Hong Kong, China and Sri Lanka.

Biwa Pearls: The pearls that are cultivated in Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake of Japan, is called as Biwa Pearls.

Black Pearls: The pearls that are harvested from back-lip oyster that are the habitants of the Western and central pacific ocean is known as black pearls. Black pearls are also produced by La Paz pearl oyster and rainbow-lipped oyster which live in Eastern Pacific Ocean between Baja California and Peru. Black pearls occur naturally and can be artificially cultured too.

Blister Pearls: The pearls that are embedded in the mother of pearl shell resembles a blister. Hence the name blisters pearls. Chinese used blister pearls since the 13th century to make small statues of Lord Buddha.

Blue Pearls: The silver-lipped oyster produces blue pearls. Abalone, a large snail also produces blue pearls. These are found in the shores of Alaska, Mexico, Japan, Korea, California, Australia and New Zealand. They are found in varied color and luster including green, blue, pink, silver, purple and sometimes cream.

Kasumiga Pearls: The pearls that are cultured in Lake Kaumiga north of Tokyo is known as Kasumiga pearls. These pearls are available in the shades of gold, purple, white and pink. They were introduced in the market in the 1990’s.

There are many types of pearls available today. Some of them occur naturally while the others are cultured. Button pearls, coin pearls, conch pearls, keshi pearls, mabe pearls and so on.

A point noteworthy is, mother of the pearl is not a pearl but a shiny coat that is seen inside an oyster. Any shell that is capable of producing a pearl would have the mother of pearl coating.