Image taken from Beautiful Pearls . Cultured Pearl Pendant image taken from Amazing Pearls . Yearly pearl growth is dependent upon the water temperature, but may be up to 0.3 to 1.5 mm in warm water and 0.09 mm in cooler water, such as in Japan. The glass bead is dipped repeatedly in a solution of ground fish scales and the island of Mallorca, Spain, is well known for its imitation pearl industry. The Persian Gulf has been the source of fine natural saltwater pearls, as well as the Micronesian islands, Japan, Sri Lanka, Australia, and Mexico, to name a few.
Japan is the source for a majority of cultured saltwater pearls.
The cultured freshwater pearl industry is increasing with a variety of shapes and colors created, although the typical shape is like a puffy rice grain, and color, white. For more pearl information, history, and lore, visit CW Jewelers . Dyed Black Cultured Pearl. Image taken from Beautiful Pearls . Tourmaline Image taken from Gallery of Gemstones .