Freshwater Pearls

Rising in popularity across pearl and jewelry markets are freshwater pearls. Fresh water pearls are used in a multitude of fine and casual jewelry settings, as well as in hobby and craft jewelry-making.

The freshwater pearl is as it sounds; it is a pearl made by a pearl-bearing mollusk that lives in freshwater bodies as opposed to a saltwater body, which is where many people think all pearls come from. Freshwater pearls are farmed by fresh water pearl farmers all over the world, but there are a few areas that are emerging as leaders in the market for wholesale freshwater pearls.

Among those pockets of the world meeting the demand for freshwater pearls wholesale are China and its neighbors. Asian countries have long been leaders in the pearl cultivation of saltwater pearls, and recognizing the increasing demand for freshwater pearls, pearl cultivators in that corner of the world have made the move to focus heavily on becoming industry leaders and putting Asian freshwater pearls at the forefront of the market.

A very large portion of the demand for fresh water pearls comes from private jewelry makers and hobbyists who seek to create pieces themselves with more precious materials than what is commonly available to small-time jewelry crafters. The recent popularity in beading and jewelry making as a craft and part-time hobby has opened the door for freshwater pearl beads to be offered by both jewelry supplies and bead catalogs. A sizable percentage of cultivated freshwater pearls are unstrung freshwater pearls to wholesale markets for craft and hobby supplies.

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Buying fresh water pearls is not a lot different than buying saltwater pearls, with the exception of the price differential. Fresh water mollusks which produce pearls can make more than one pearl at a time. Starters (irritants) for cultivated freshwater pearls are less costly, as are overall farming costs in general. The result is a less expensive, but highly desirable jewelry-quality freshwater pearl bead.

There are a few terms worth knowing when buying freshwater pearl jewelry. Jewelry-grade freshwater pearls come in a range of unique shapes and sizes, a much larger variety than what is usually seen from saltwater pearls. Fresh water pearls may be the traditional round shape, but they can also be oval or another shape. Freshwater coin pearl jewelry is a very pretty option; freshwater coin pearls are more flat and round, larger (the size of a coin) with a look somewhat resembling polished stones or gems. The color can vary widely.

Freshwater baroque pearls are another option. Baroque pearls have no one defined shape or uniformity. The shape of baroque freshwater pearls is something of a natural freeform, but the look is unique when well placed in jewelry, making for some very attractive and interesting pieces.

Freshwater pearls have a unique look all their own. They are valued for their beauty and are often chosen for a more casual look. The more affordable cost of freshwater pearl jewelry makes it so that women are less afraid of wearing their freshwater pearl earrings or necklace daily. Fresh water pearls mix nicely for casual or formal wear. A freshwater pearl tiara with a freshwater pearl and sterling silver bracelet is a nice alternative to faux costume jewelry for a young woman going to a prom or other formal event, and the cost is comparable.

Freshwater pearls are becoming more widely available across all pearl markets, online in particular. Their affordable price, variety of styles and settings, and pretty array of colors makes freshwater pearls an excellent jewelry choice.