June’s birthstone is pearl, a unique gemstone that is neither gem nor stone! Pearls have a rich history and loads of interesting folklore surrounding them. Today we’re going to talk about the difference between saltwater and freshwater pearls, as well as some interesting historical anecdotes about pearls!
There are two main types of pearls: saltwater and freshwater. As the name suggests, this has to do with where the pearls are harvested from. Today, most pearls you see in jewelry stores are cultured, which means there is human involvement with the pearl production. Pearls are formed when something foreign gets into the mollusk or oyster. Cultured means that humans have injected a specific irritant into the shell, which can sometimes lead to specific color variants among pearls.
Freshwater pearls are usually found in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds. Most of them come from China and are often the traditional white color most common in pearls, but can also come in varying pastel shades. Freshwater pearls are cultured for a shorter time period and can produce more pearls per mollusk. These are some of the more common pearls found in jewelry.
Saltwater pearls, on the other hand, come from all over and in different varieties. Saltwater pearls take longer to cultivate, which is one of the reasons they are considered more valuable than freshwater. Though both kinds of pearls are beautiful, with wonderful luster and shine to them. The most common saltwater pearls are Tahitian, Akoya, and Southsea.
Tahitian pearls come from the French Polynesian islands, as their name suggests. They are naturally black or gray and make for beautifully unique and different pearls from the normal white coloration. Akoya pearls primarily come from Japan but can also be found in China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Australia. Akoya have a bright luster and elegance, coming in varying shades such as the traditional white and gray, with other variations such as green, pink, and blue, which is one of the rarer colors. Southsea pearls come from Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, and Myanmar. These pearls have a high luster and their color variations can be white and gold.
The oldest written record of pearl use in jewelry and being seen as a high profile item was in 2206 BCE in China. The oldest physical record is from 240 BCE, with a Persian princess being buried with pearls. One of the most well known stories about pearls is when Cleopatra hosted Marc Antony for the most expensive dinner in history. She took one pearl from a pair of earrings, crushed it into wine, and drank it. Antony was so surprised that he admitted defeat and refused to eat the other pearl. It is estimated that the pearl Cleopatra ate would potentially cost 16.7 million dollars today.
Pearls were seen as a luxury item for only the highest of the elite. It was only within the last few decades that pearls became more common. Most people probably associate pearls with the 1950s housewife and the traditional American Dream idea. In the 40’s and 50’s, pearls were considered a high status symbol, due to their delicate nature. If a woman was wearing pearls, she most likely had enough money to afford help around the house, meaning she wasn’t using all these harsh cleaning chemicals while wearing her pearls.
Nowadays though, pearls are much more accessible. Pearls are also usually associated with feminine energies and creation myths. Venus, who came from the sea, is closely associated with pearls. Another big symbol for pearls is the moon, given how it controls the tides and since the full moon can resemble a pearl. It was also believed that pearls can offer calm, protection, and strength to the person wearing them.
Regardless of why one might be interested in pearls, they make beautiful and timeless jewelry. We have a wonderful selection of pearls to pick from, from strands, to pendants, rings, and earrings. Be sure to check out the pearl section of the website! Also, given the delicate nature of pearls, they require special cleaning so be sure to check out our jewelry care blog post as well! Pearls make wonderful gifts be it for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, or just a little something for that someone special in your life.
Saltwater & Freshwater Pearls
There are two main types of pearls: saltwater and freshwater. As the name suggests, this has to do with where the pearls are harvested from. Today, most pearls you see in jewelry stores are cultured, which means there is human involvement with the pearl production. Pearls are formed when something foreign gets into the mollusk or oyster. Cultured means that humans have injected a specific irritant into the shell, which can sometimes lead to specific color variants among pearls.
Freshwater pearls are usually found in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds. Most of them come from China and are often the traditional white color most common in pearls, but can also come in varying pastel shades. Freshwater pearls are cultured for a shorter time period and can produce more pearls per mollusk. These are some of the more common pearls found in jewelry.
Saltwater pearls, on the other hand, come from all over and in different varieties. Saltwater pearls take longer to cultivate, which is one of the reasons they are considered more valuable than freshwater. Though both kinds of pearls are beautiful, with wonderful luster and shine to them. The most common saltwater pearls are Tahitian, Akoya, and Southsea.
Tahitian pearls come from the French Polynesian islands, as their name suggests. They are naturally black or gray and make for beautifully unique and different pearls from the normal white coloration. Akoya pearls primarily come from Japan but can also be found in China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Australia. Akoya have a bright luster and elegance, coming in varying shades such as the traditional white and gray, with other variations such as green, pink, and blue, which is one of the rarer colors. Southsea pearls come from Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, and Myanmar. These pearls have a high luster and their color variations can be white and gold.
History
The oldest written record of pearl use in jewelry and being seen as a high profile item was in 2206 BCE in China. The oldest physical record is from 240 BCE, with a Persian princess being buried with pearls. One of the most well known stories about pearls is when Cleopatra hosted Marc Antony for the most expensive dinner in history. She took one pearl from a pair of earrings, crushed it into wine, and drank it. Antony was so surprised that he admitted defeat and refused to eat the other pearl. It is estimated that the pearl Cleopatra ate would potentially cost 16.7 million dollars today.
Pearls were seen as a luxury item for only the highest of the elite. It was only within the last few decades that pearls became more common. Most people probably associate pearls with the 1950s housewife and the traditional American Dream idea. In the 40’s and 50’s, pearls were considered a high status symbol, due to their delicate nature. If a woman was wearing pearls, she most likely had enough money to afford help around the house, meaning she wasn’t using all these harsh cleaning chemicals while wearing her pearls.
Nowadays though, pearls are much more accessible. Pearls are also usually associated with feminine energies and creation myths. Venus, who came from the sea, is closely associated with pearls. Another big symbol for pearls is the moon, given how it controls the tides and since the full moon can resemble a pearl. It was also believed that pearls can offer calm, protection, and strength to the person wearing them.
Regardless of why one might be interested in pearls, they make beautiful and timeless jewelry. We have a wonderful selection of pearls to pick from, from strands, to pendants, rings, and earrings. Be sure to check out the pearl section of the website! Also, given the delicate nature of pearls, they require special cleaning so be sure to check out our jewelry care blog post as well! Pearls make wonderful gifts be it for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, or just a little something for that someone special in your life.