Pearls look magnificent and are gorgeous gifts for any occasion. Mankind has a fascination for these beautiful gems since ages. Pearls don’t occur on land and are found in various water bodies. There are different types of pearls. Natural pearls occur in nature whereas cultured pearls are produced through human intervention. Women will be thrilled to receive pearl beads in the form of jewelry as wedding or birthday gifts. Pearls have always been popular and the demand for them is growing constantly. We take a look at freshwater pearls.
A pearl is the only gemstone created within a living, breathing creature. It is not mined unlike other gemstones. When there is an irritant in the tissue of an oyster or mussel a substance is secreted for self-defense. The substance is nacre and this spreads around the irritant in concentric layers, thus forming a beautiful pearl bead.
Pearls may be freshwater or saltwater. Freshwater pearls are found in mussels which grow in non-saline water bodies such as lakes and ponds. Luckily, for women they are less expensive as compared to saltwater pearls. You would be delighted to know that they come in a plethora of colors, sizes and shapes. The colors could be ivory white, pink, silver and every hue of the rainbow. They are relatively durable and resistant to erosion. Most Cultured Freshwater pearls originate from China. Their shapes range from round, button, baroque, semi-baroque and many more.
Biwa freshwater pearls are world famous and enjoy unmatched popularity. They originate from mussels grown in Lake Biwa which is Japan’s biggest and oldest freshwater lake. Unfortunately, the menace of pollution has drastically reduced the lakes production. China is the world leader of production of freshwater pearls. Did you know that it produces an astronomical one thousand five hundred metric tonnes of freshwater pearls annually?
Black pearls are the most exotic of freshwater pearls. It takes four to six years to produce them. One mussel can produce up to fifty black pearls. Some pearls are given a dye-treatment to make them have a black color. The dye will not wear off.
Did you know that freshwater pearls have thicker nacre than seawater pearls? They are more durable and less prone to chipping or wearing out. Presently, in the market superior quality freshwater pearls can be purchased wholesale at reasonable prices. Black pearl beads are highly coveted among royalty and now are making their presence among the common folk.
Surprise your girlfriend or wife with elegant freshwater pearl jewelry. It would enhance her wardrobe and create a memorable impression on all.