The pearl begins its life as an irritant to the oyster. To protect itself, the oyster coats an intruding object or grain of sand with nacre, a crystalline substance that builds up over time, resulting in a shimmering, iridescent creation. Akoya - This is the most familiar salt water pearl sold in necklaces. Akoyas from Japan and China are grown in pearl oysters and are known for their shimmering beauty and warm colors. Mabe - Large, hemispherical cultured pearls grown against the inside shells of oysters rather than in the oyster's bodies.
Colors range from silvery gray and green to deep purple and black.
Freshwater - Pearls cultivated in mussels, not oysters, in freshwater lake and rivers in China, Japan and the United States. Keshi - Also known as seed pearls, these tiny pearls can be as small as a grain of sand and form accidentally in many cultured pearl oysters. Cultured Pearls are precious and delicate jewels and should always be treated with the utmost care. Avoid tossing them in a purse or jewelry box where they can become scratched by metal or stones. Treat your pearls gently.