What Types of Pearls Are There?

There are so many varieties of pearls, it’s easy to get confused—especially for beginners. We want you to feel confident that you’re getting exactly what you want when shopping for pearl jewelry. That’s why we’ve put together this brief overview of the different types of pearls available.

Natural & Cultured Pearls

The first distinction to understand is the difference between pearls found in nature and those grown in oyster and mussel farms. Natural pearls are exceedingly rare and often wildly expensive. Only 1 in 10,000 pearl-producing mollusks will produce a natural pearl in its lifetime, and only 1 in 1,000,000 will produce a pearl of a size or quality that is usable for jewelry. Only .005% of all the pearls currently in existence are natural pearls, most of which are in private collections or museums and are not traded on the open market. The remaining 99.995% are cultured pearls.

Thanks to the scientific advancements of the last three decades, exquisitely beautiful cultured pearls are widely available at reasonable prices. Additionally, the time-consuming and highly skilled nature of their production allows cultured pearls to retain an element of scarcity. The biological process behind both cultured and natural pearls remains unchanged, the difference being that one is left entirely up to chance. Cultured pearls are “real” pearls in every sense.

Freshwater & Saltwater Pearls

Freshwater Pearls

Freshwater pearls come from freshwater mussels in the Unionidae family. The most ubiquitous and affordable cultured pearls, freshwater pearls come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. Many of the recent advancements in the science and techniques of pearl cultivation have been focused on freshwater pearls, resulting in pearls of prime quality and exceptional beauty coming from freshwater pearl farms. The top producer of freshwater pearls is China, with the United States coming in second.

While being inexpensive compared to many types of saltwater pearls, high-quality freshwater pearls can easily rival them in beauty and luster. Such a combination of quality, variety, and affordability allows jewelry designers an unprecedented amount of creative freedom and flexibility. Designs based around freshwater pearls can be experimental and challenge fashion traditions without sacrificing accessibility to consumers on a reasonable budget. The latest generation of designers is disrupting the fashion industry with freshwater pearls by focusing on their artistic vision rather than cost, all while still using high-quality pearls.

Saltwater Pearls

Saltwater pearls come from saltwater oysters in the Pteriidae family, most species of which are within the genus Pinctada. With their high luster and classic look, pearls in this category often command a high price. The top producers of saltwater pearls are China, Japan, Australia, French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Types of Saltwater Pearls

Akoya Pearls

Easily the most well-known variety, Akoya pearls are the industry standard for cultured saltwater pearls. Originating in Japan, Akoyas were the first type of high-quality cultured pearls to be produced successfully and have been available for over a century. Akoya pearls are most commonly soft white in color, but are also available in whitish silver, rosy white, and more rarely in shades of blue, gold, and pale green. Most Akoya pearls come from Japan and China and typically range in size between 3 and 8mm.

South Sea Pearls

Notable for their wide range of colors and remarkable luster, South Sea pearls are among the most valuable saltwater pearl varieties. The largest of the saltwater cultured pearl types, South Sea pearls are on average between 10 and 16mm in diameter, with exceptional examples reaching 19-21mm. South Sea pearls come in a wide variety of colors, most notably bright white and deep gold. Other colors include white with blue or silver overtones and many different shades of gold, including champagne and metallic yellow. The majority of White South Sea pearls come from Australia, while most of the Gold South Sea pearls are produced in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Tahitian Black Pearls

Also known as simply “Black pearls,” Tahitian Black pearls are characterized by their dark color and dynamic orient. Technically a subset of South Sea pearls, Tahitian pearls are so valued for their unique properties that they deserve to be described on their own. Primarily ranging from silver or pale gray to peacock green to jet black, Tahitian Black pearls manifest in a diverse set of colors, shades, and overtones. Examples showing a distinctive green and prismatic iridescence are particularly desirable. Tahitian pearls average in size between 8 and 16mm, with the largest known example being 25mm. Tahitian Black pearls primarily originate from French Polynesia, particularly from their namesake, Tahiti.

Much of the Tahitian Black pearl’s popularity stems from its ability to subvert the classical elegance of traditional white pearls without sacrificing style and sophistication. They redefine elegance, being at once modern and organic; futuristic and naturally beautiful.