Almost all of the pearls available today are produced through cultured farming, where there’s a little human intervention involved. Despite that there is no real control on what shape, size or colour is formed. Every pearl is truly unique which is why it is a collectable to many who own them. The only way to tell what kind of a pearl will be produced is by distinguishing them through the mollusc host and their place of origin. In fact, pearls are classified based on this.
- Akoya pearls are native to Japanese and Chinese saltwater farms. Think classic white round pearls when you think of Akoya. They have the highest lustre and greatest shine of all the cultured pearls. These are the kinds that are used to make those classic single-strand pearl necklaces.
- Fresh water pearls are formed in fresh water sources like rivers and lakes found around China, Australia and India. These pearls have a tinge of colour ranging from white, rose, cream or ivory that makes them an interesting buy.
- South sea pearls are large and luminous pearls that are the most elite of the lot. They are harvested around Northern Australia, South East Asia, including Myanmar and Indonesia. These pearls are either white in colour with silver to pink overtones or have golden hues that run into deep orange. This depends on the type of oyster that hosts it. They are rare to find and make up only the most high-end jewellery.
- Tahitian pearls are renowned for their exotic colours and impeccable lustre finish. They come in variants of dark green, blue and hues of black. They are primarily cultivated around the islands of French Polynesia grown in a Black-Lipped oyster.
Together, all these pearls make up a jeweller’s palette. This range is truly exceptional and can be paired with gold, platinum, diamond and other gemstones to create a breath-taking form of jewellery that graces different looks and occasions.
