​Cultured Pearls Explained...

Freshwater VS. Seawater
 
There are two different types of cultured pearl: saltwater and freshwater.
 
The main difference being; one is cultured in freshwater and one is cultured in sea or saltwater.
The process for farming can vary a little, but the main difference is the mollusc itself. Freshwater pearls are cultured in mussels. Whereas, saltwater pearls are cultured in a variety of oysters.
 
Freshwater mussels can often produce a number of pearls at a time: up to 40 in one shell.
But, saltwater oysters can often only produce one pearl at a time.
 
Where?

Freshwater pearls are cultured in a number of places in the world, but the vast majority come out of China.

There are then three different types of saltwater cultured pearls. Akoya, South Sea and Tahitian.
 
Akoya pearl farming began and continues in Japan, but there is also large production in China and Vietnam.
 
South Sea pearl farms can be found for the most part in Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
 
Tahitian pearl farms can mostly be found in the islands of French Polynesia and the Cook Islands.
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