Natural, Cultured, and Imitation Pearls - What are the Differences?

For someone not all that familiar with pearls, the options can seem overwhelming. Many pearls that look almost the same vary drastically in price. There are very good reasons for this. You should be aware of exactly what you are buying before you hand over your money so you can be sure that along with a great looking piece of jewelry, you are also buying the best pearls your money will allow.

These days, natural pearls are incredibly rare and are usually only sold at auctions and other very high end places. Natural pearls are different in that the irritant that started the pearl making process was very small, so a natural pearl is almost completely made of nacre. A cultured pearl except a freshwater cultured pearl on the other hand usually has a larger nucleus, meaning the nacre is thinner. Natural pearls take much longer to form than cultured pearls and therefore are more likely to have flaws. With the naked eye it is very difficult if not impossible to tell the difference between a cultured and a natural pearl. However, a qualified jeweler can tell you by among other things, examining the drill hole, using an x-ray, or using an ultraviolet light.

It is very important to note that there are also many imitation pearls on the market. These 'pearls' are not pearls at all and have never seen the inside of an oyster. They are usually made of glass or plastic are many are good enough to fool uneducated consumers into thinking they are real. A good way to spot an imitation pearl is to pay attention to its luster. Only a real pearl seems to glow from within, because of the way light reflects off the layers of nacre. An imitation pearl will simply shine on the outside. Another good and simple way to tell is to rub the pearl against the edge of your tooth. A real pearl will have a slightly gritty feel while an imitation pearl will feel very smooth. At Legend Blue, we only sell 100% genuine cultured pearls.

The Beauty of Cultured Pearls - Something for Every Taste and Occasion

Much like everything else, our tastes when it comes to pearls are highly individual. While we all would agree that pearls are stunning, we may disagree on which color, shape, or size we like best. The wonderful thing about pearls is that there is something for every taste and every style, something for every occasion and every person. Below you'll find descriptions of the different types of gem quality cultured pearls produced around the world so you can determine which fits your personal tastes the best.

AKOYA PEARLS

When one thinks of classic, creamy colored pearl strands, Akoya pearls are what come to mind. The first pearls to be cultured and perhaps still the most famous today, Akoya pearls are cultivated in the saltwaters of Japan and China. Akoya pearls are sought after for their deep luster and round shape. Coming in sizes ranging 4mm - 9mm and colors ranging from white to golden and black. Akoya pearls are a versatile beauty.

FRESHWATER PEARLS

Grown in mollusks living in bays and rivers all around the world, Freshwater pearls are renowned for their unique shapes and colors. The leading producers of Freshwater cultured pearls are China, Japan, and the United States. Beautiful round Freshwater pearls are also available and are known for their more intense luster. Colors range from white to blue, also including pink and lavender. Sizes come in from 3mm - 12 mm.

TAHITIAN BLACK PEARLS

Technically a South Sea pearl, Tahitian Black pearls are cultivated using the Black-Lipped Oyster. They are cultivated off the coasts of French Polynesia and Tahiti, and are among the rarest and most popular pearls. The color, while always dark, is not necessarily black and also includes light silver, gray, green, and the very rare peacock. The way the prism of light bounces off the surface of these pearls makes some people fans for life. Typical sizes range from 8mm - 15mm.

SOUTH SEA PEARLS

Like Ayoya pearls, South Sea pearls are saltwater pearls. They are cultivated in the waters of many South Pacific nations including Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia and others. They are sought after for their thick nacre as well as their large size. The most popular colors are white and golden. Because of their large size, it is very rare to find a perfectly round, flawless pearl, making it very valuable indeed. Typical sizes range from 10mm - 16mm.

MABE PEARLS

A Mabe pearl is a dome-shaped cultured pearl grown against the inside shell of an oyster rather than within the oyster’s body. Mabe pearls are grown in Japan, Indonesia, French Polynesia and Australia, and available in a variety of colors from white to blue. A mabe cultured pearl offers the look of a larger pearl at an affordable price. The large surface of a mabe pearl makes it especially well suited for use in a ring, earring or pendant. Typical sizes range from 10mm - 18mm.