Freshwater pearls have been admired for their beauty, quality, color, luster, and uniqueness. No matter what the occasion is, pairing pearl jewelry with your attire makes you stand out from the crowd.
Have you ever wondered where freshwater pearls come from? How to tell if a pearl necklace is real? How do you identify real vs fake pearls?
Yes, I wanna know more!
Well, here in this blog, you will get all the information about freshwater pearls.
Generally, there’s no need to introduce pearls, right? They are without a doubt among nature's rarest and most valuable creations. Any outfit is instantly made more elegant and glamorous by wearing pearl jewelry. Because of this, pearls are one of the most prized gems in the world.
Additionally, there are different types of pearls on the market, but freshwater pearls are the most well-liked. Would you like to know what makes them so unique? You probably didn't know these lesser-known facts about freshwater pearls.
Now I’m more curious to know!
So, let’s get started by knowing…
How Freshwater Pearls Are Made?
Pearl is an organic gemstone. Unlike other jewels, they form organically. A pearl is created when an irritant particle gets lodged inside an oyster, mollusk, or clam. As a defense mechanism, these particles start to build layers of fluid on top of themselves. A lovely pearl eventually grows out of the layers that were created to shield the oyster from the irritant.
However, these days, cultured pearls are obtained by cultivation, in which an oyster or clam is given a sand grain to form the pearl. They are as natural as these pearls. A significant amount of pearls are now being grown because of the rising demand for them.
Mollusks (animals like an oyster, mussels, or clams) that live in freshwater habitats are the source of freshwater pearls. When an irritant enters a specific species of these mollusks, pearls are produced. A liquid is then secreted by the mollusks around the irritant, which could be a sand grain.
So are these freshwater pearls round in shape?
No, they’re not! You’ll be amazed to know that freshwater pearls are not as round as saltwater pearls.
Let’s understand this by knowing…
Freshwater Pearls Shapes Variety
A round, symmetrical-shaped gem comes to mind when you think about pearls. You'll be shocked to know that freshwater pearls come in a range of shapes and are not as round as saltwater pearls. They differ from the others due to this. Round, nearly round, baroque, button, coin-shaped, and drop are a few typical freshwater pearl shapes. The most popular of all is round, though. They are also far more cheap and more resilient than other forms of pearl.
What Are Cultured Pearls?
Unlike pearls that occur spontaneously in the wild, cultured pearls are cultivated and harvested on purpose in a controlled setting. A tiny bead or piece of tissue is inserted into a mollusk's mantle to produce cultured pearls. To create the pearl, the mollusk will begin to secrete layers of nacre around the bead or tissue.
Freshwater lakes and ponds are where you can find these kinds of pearls. Freshwater pearls are used to create beautiful pearl necklaces and earrings.
So, will it take time for a freshwater pearl to form?
Let’s dig into it!
How Much Time Do Freshwater Pearls Take to Form?
Did you know that the formation period varies depending on the type of pearl? The typical period for freshwater pearls is six months. The pearl's growth can occasionally take up to two years. At the freshwater pearl farm, 24–30 pieces of mantle tissue are placed into the freshwater mussel to start the process. Following this, the sac starts to form and the cells start secreting nacre, which causes a calcium-carbonate complex called a pearl to form.
But how can I identify whether my pearl necklace is real or not?
People are generally concerned about this, so let’s get this by knowing…
How To Tell If A Pearl Necklace Is Real? Real vs Fake Pearls
If you want to know whether your pearl necklace is real or not then the best way to is to understand the features that make up a real pearl. ‘Tooth Test’, is an easy way to find out the real vs fake pearls. To do this test, simply rub the pearl against your tooth gently and if the pearl is real, you will observe the gritty feeling. And if the pearl is not real, you will observe that its surface is smooth. In simple words, REAL Pearl will produce a gritty feeling.
If you are still in doubt if your pearl is real or not then take it to the reputed jewelers to check its authenticity under a magnifying glass. The layering of the nacre gives real pearls their distinctive brilliance. Fake pearls have a consistent luster that is frequently synthetic.
So, if the authenticity of a pearl is that hard to identify, how costly can it be?
Pearls are the rarest jewels in the world, so let’s find out…
The Most Expensive Pearl Value
Did you know that in 2016 the most expensive pearl was discovered? It was hidden under the owner's bed for almost ten years until it was found after a fire destroyed the home. It belonged to a fisherman who discovered it close to the shore of the Philippines and kept it as a charm for luck. Wondering why is it so pricey? It is roughly 26 inches long and about 75 pounds in weight! It is the biggest pearl ever found and is incredibly valuable worth $100 million. That’s quite amazing!
If I have a pearl necklace, how should I take care of it?
Pearls are very precious gems, taking good care of them will keep them fresh and last long. So, let’s have a look at…
How To Clean Your Pearl?
Pearls require care, much like other jewelry. Because they are porous, pearls must be cleaned with a dry, soft cloth to bring out their inherent brilliance. Avoid submerging pearls in water. Keeping your freshwater pearls away from chemicals like cosmetics, perfumes, and hairspray is also something we advise because they can harm pearls. The finest piece of advice is to put your pearls on last, after perfume and makeup. Additionally, to prevent damage to your pearls, it is advisable to store them in a separate box or soft jewelry pouch.
So now that you know everything about freshwater pearls, you should also know how to keep them fresh and last long. If you want to take care of your pearls professionally, you must go through this pearl care guide.
FAQs
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What do White Pearls symbolize?
Since times immemorial, White Pearl is treasured as the symbol of innocence, peace, protection, loyalty, and faith. Moreover, it is also worn to embark upon new beginnings! Interestingly, true to its elegant beauty, it has long been coveted as a feminine stone which signifies fertility, purity, and beauty.
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What happens if Freshwater Pearls get wet?
Here’s something you should know about Pearls- they are a relatively delicate gemstone. So while some exposure to water here and there won’t do them any harm, it is best to keep them from getting wet as much as possible.
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Can you wear Freshwater Pearls everyday?
Well, that would eventually boil down to how well you’re taking care of it.
It should come off as no surprise that Freshwater Pearl is a relative delicate gemstone (with a mere hardness rating of 2.5 to 4.5 out of 10 on the Mohs Scale). So if you’re planning to flaunt it everyday, you need to be a little extra conscious with its care and maintenance. Make sure that you’re abiding by all the professionally prescribed tips and tricks.
