What are Freshwater pearls and what makes them different to Saltwater pearls?
It’s important to know the difference between freshwater pearls and saltwater pearls, so you can make an informed decision when buying your next piece of pearl jewellery.
Often the differences between freshwater pearls and saltwater pearls are not well understood – and we don’t blame you! It’s a confusing distinction to make, and we get plenty of questions surrounding this topic. So, we’ve put together an article for you to read and by the end we hope you know and understand the difference between the two.
cultivation
Freshwater pearls are produced quickly and in greater quantities, making them less labour-intensive and more affordable. In contrast, saltwater pearls require a longer cultivation period and are rarer, resulting in higher prices.
size & quality
Saltwater pearls are typically larger and have a finer nacre quality, leading to better lustre compared to freshwater pearls.
Colour Treatments
Freshwater pearls often undergo treatments to achieve their final colour, while saltwater pearls, like those from Pearls of Australia, maintain their natural hues.
Value
Due to their rarity and quality, saltwater pearls are generally considered more valuable and are a worthwhile investment. Freshwater pearls, while still beautiful, are more accessible and offer a wider variety of shapes and colours at a lower cost.
what are freshwater pearls?
Freshwater pearls are produced by the Hyriopsis cumingi also known as the Triangle shell and the Hyriopsis schlegeli or the Biwa shell. These shells are grown in freshwater bodies of water like riverbeds, lakes, creeks, and ponds. Although some freshwater pearls are produced in USA and Japan, they are predominantly produced in China. Freshwater pearls are often small and an irregular shape. This is due to the process of which they are cultured.
The Origin of Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater pearls are produced by the Hyriopsis cumingi also known as the Triangle shell and the Hyriopsis schlegeli or the Biwa shell. These shells are grown in freshwater bodies of water like riverbeds, lakes, creeks, and ponds. Although some freshwater pearls are produced in USA and Japan, they are predominantly produced in China. Freshwater pearls are often small and an irregular shape. This is due to the process of which they are cultured.
Like all types of cultured pearls, freshwater pearls are produced through the process of a technician introducing an irritant into the inner lining of the shell. This process activates the defence mechanism of the shell to secrete layers of nacre, and this layering process produces a pearl. Because the introduced irritant is only the mantle tissue of a donor shell, they have no “template” to be guided with and this often results in the more irregular shape of a freshwater pearl. This is unlike saltwater pearls which are cultivated with both a mantle tissue and a seed. This seed acts as the template for the saltwater shell to hopefully produce a rounder shaped pearl, but it takes a highly skilled technician and a bit of luck from mother of nature to produce a round saltwater pearl.
The Shapes and Colours of Freshwater Pearls
Characteristically, freshwater pearls often range in shape from very baroque, to near round. Although any type of near-round or round pearl is the most desired, only 2% of freshwater pearls are this shape. More commonly freshwater pearls are defined by the following shapes: potato-shaped pearls, stick pearls, rice-shaped pearls, button pearls, coin-shaped pearls and drop pearls.
Freshwater pearls are cultivated and harvested in a relatively short period of time, especially in comparison to saltwater pearls – only taking about 6 months to produce up to 30 pearls at a time. At freshwater pearl farms, each shell is introduced with 24-32 “irritants” or pieces of mantle tissue. This process results in the production of up to 30 pearls at harvest and a single shell can showcase an array of colours, sizes, shapes, and qualities of pearls. Saltwater pearl shell typically only grow one pearl at a time over a two year period, making them comparatively rarer and more valuable than freshwater pearls.
Although the colour of freshwater pearls can be produced through natural means and often do showcase a wide spectrum of colours, it is widely accepted to treat or brighten freshwater pearls to achieve a desired colour. Typically, freshwater pearls display pastel shades of pink, lavender, peach which are then enhanced through colour treatments and are at times bleached to be lighter and brighter. Some freshwater pearls are dyed dark or almost black to resemble Tahitian pearls.
How is the Freshwater pearl different?
Freshwater pearls are the most produced pearls and take less time and less labour to cultivate. We’ll discuss the differences between freshwater and saltwater pearls below.
Freshwater pearls vs Saltwater pearls
Originally freshwater pearls were marketed as a lower quality, inexpensive alternative to saltwater pearls. It meant that more people could have entry to purchasing their very own pearls.
First and foremost, the difference between freshwater and saltwater pearls lies in where they originate. Freshwater pearls are grown and harvested in bodies of freshwater, and saltwater pearls are grown and harvested in bodies of saltwater. At Pearls of Australia, we grow and farm two varieties of saltwater pearls. The first of which is our Australian South Sea pearls which are grown at our Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, located in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The second type of saltwater pearl we cultivate is the Australian Akoya pearl, which is grown at our Broken Bay Pearl Farm, located in the Central Coast of NSW. We do not grow freshwater pearls.
The Cultivation Process: Freshwater vs. Saltwater
Today, almost all pearls that are grown and marketed are considered cultured pearls. The difference between cultured freshwater and saltwater pearls is not only in where they grow, but how they begin their pearl growing process. As we mentioned earlier, saltwater shells are nucleated with a seed, whereas freshwater shells are nucleated with a piece of mantle tissue. This means they are often more organic in shape than saltwater pearls. Freshwater shells can also be nucleated with 24-32 pieces of mantle tissue to produce up to 30 pearls at a time, while saltwater shells are nucleated with a single piece of mantle tissue and a seedto only produce a single pearl at a time. The distinction between the number of pearls a freshwater shell produces in comparison to a saltwater shell makes saltwater pearls much rarer and more revered.
Another point of difference between freshwater and saltwater pearls is the way they are farmed. Freshwater pearls are harvested over a 6-month period, whereas saltwater pearls take from 10 months to 4 years to grow and this is based on the species of the saltwater shell. Our Australian South Sea pearls take on average 2 years to produce a single pearl! A longer cultivation period means more cost and labour for pearl farmers, but also means that because saltwater pearls take longer to grow, the size of a saltwater pearl is much larger, and the nacre quality is often better and therefore results in a better lustre and longevity when compared to freshwater pearls.
It is common practice for freshwater pearls to be treated to either enhance their colour or to create a totally different colour. Quite often these pearls will spend more time in a chemical bath to enhance colour and lustre than they do growing in the shell. The treatment only touches the outer layers of nacre on the pearl which means you will notice the colour and lustre diminish, or ‘wear through’ over time. Our Australian South Sea pearls, and Australian Akoya pearls are never chemically treated to enhance their colours – they are completely natural in their qualities and virtues and this is guaranteed to you with our Certificate of Authenticity.
Are Freshwater pearls valuable?
Supply, demand, and rarity contribute to the value of all pearls. Unlike saltwater pearls, which are rarer, there are a plethora of freshwater pearls available on the market at all times of the year. Saltwater pearls are a higher-grade quality and are more of an investment or heirloom gem whereas freshwater pearls are generally more affordable and less likely to last the test of time. This is because saltwater pearls are a higher quality and have thicker nacre– especially South Sea pearls which represent the quintessential white, lustrous, round pearl that comes to mind
If it’s quality you’re after, then Saltwater pearls are your best choice. Shop our Saltwater pearl jewellery today.
Explore our Collection of Saltwater Pearl Jewellery
At Pearls of Australia, we specialise in high-quality saltwater pearls from our farms at Cygnet Bay and Broken Bay. Our Australian South Sea and Akoya pearls are naturally beautiful, with no colour treatments, showcasing the true beauty of saltwater pearls. Explore our collection to find the perfect piece of pearl jewellery that aligns with your style and appreciation for fine craftsmanship.
Find the Perfect jewellery piece for you!
Prefer to talk to one of our Jewellery and Pearl experts before purchasing one of our pearl pieces? They would love to help you in any way, please contact them either by sending an email to hello@pearlsofaustralia.com.au or call (08) 6478 6886.