Freshwater Pearl

Perhaps the best-loved gems of all time, pearls—both natural and modern cultured pearls—occur in a wide variety of colors.

OVERVIEW - FRESHWATER PEARL

Freshwater pearls are the most commonly produced pearls, and they are one of the most popular pearl types among shoppers and jewelry designers. This is due to their remarkable range of sizes, shapes and colors and their commercial availability at competitive prices.

They are usually cultured in freshwater lakes and ponds, often with many pearls grown in one oyster.

QUALITY FACTORS

  • SIZE

    Cultured pearls range from 2-16mm in diameter, depending on the mollusk used.

  • SHAPE

    Spherical pearls are the most valued but symmetrical drops are also sought.

  • Luster

    Pearls with high luster have sharp bright reflections on the surface.

  • SURFACE QUALITY

    The number of blemishes on a pearl's surface is evaluated to judge quality.

SIZE

In general, the larger the pearl, the more valuable it is. Different varieties come in different sizes: South Sea cultured pearls are the largest.

SHAPE

Round is the most difficult shape to culture, making it the rarest cultured pearl shape and—if all other factors are equal—also generally the most valuable. There are exceptions, though. Well-formed pear, oval, or baroque (irregularly shaped) cultured pearls are also prized by pearl lovers. Different pearl types are held to different standards when classifying
shape. Japanese saltwater cultured pearls are held to the strictest standards for shape.

LUSTRE

Of all pearl quality factors, lustre might be the most important. Lustre is what gives a natural or cultured pearl its unique beauty.

Aslowe only uses pearls with very good or excellent lustre.

SURFACE QUALITY

Like colored stones, most pearls never achieve perfection. Some might show abrasions that look like a series of scratches on the surface, or a flattened section that doesn’t affect its basic shape, or an irregular ridge that looks like a crease or wrinkle.

If surface characteristics are numerous or severe, they can affect the durability of the pearl and severely depress its value. Surface characteristics have less effect on the pearl’s beauty and value if they are few in number, or if they are minor enough to be hidden by a drill-hole or mounting.

ASLOWE FRESHWATER PEARLS

Aslowe freshwater pearl products are made from high-quality cultured freshwater pearls directly from the source by our team of pearl experts for their natural luster, shape, size, color and cleanliness. Our top-tier freshwater pearl collections are guaranteed to be one of the best in the industry worldwide - nearly indistinguishable from akoya pearl or South Sea pearl in their shape and lustre.

PEARL TRIVIA

Pearl is the birthstone for June and the gem of the third and thirtieth anniversaries.

PEARL CARE

With proper care, pearls last generations. Wipe it clean with a soft cloth and store it in your Aslowe jewelry box or pouch after each wear. Avoid exposure to sharp objects, heat, perfume, or cosmetics.

 

Read more about pearls from GIA gem encyclopedia.

Source: www.gia.edu/pearl

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