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Freshwater Pearls
By Sandra Paluzzi, Freshwater pearls go back at least 2000 years. Here, in the USA, they were discovered in Ohio. But their use first became prominent in the US in the late 19th century when they were harvested for jewelry. However, European freshwater pearls were very prominent in Europe during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Then they were used for jewelry and clothing adornment by the wealthy and the church. Their popularity was short lived however. Explorers and traders soon brought salt water pearls from abroad. These salt water pearls were more lustrous than the native fresh water pearls. Twentieth century cultured freshwater pearls saw a resurgence of their popularity and they have come in and out of popularity ever since. Today, almost if not all, freshwater pearls are cultured. While an oyster can only produce 1 or 2 salt water pearls, a mussel can produce 30-40 cultured freshwater pearls. This accounts for the fact that freshwater pearls are much cheaper than salt water pearls. In fact, they are often as cheap as imitation pearls. Cultured freshwater pearls first appeared in Japan in the 1930s. The most beautiful pearls came from Lake Biwa in Japan. They were so prevalent and so outstanding that all freshwater pearls were often referred to as Biwa pearls. It is interesting to note that cultured fresh water pearls are a modern phenomenon. Their history has been shaped by another modern phenomenon - pollution. Lake Biwa became so polluted by the the mid 70s they were no longer producing good quality pearls. The Japanese began getting their freshwater pearls from China. The pearls would be processed in Japan and sold as Japanese. Then China started processing its own pearls and Chinese freshwater pearls became the most prevalent. Now the Chinese often send their pearl harvest to Japan for processing. These beads are usually sold as Chinese but may well contain a label that says Made In Japan. Cultured freshwater pearls come in a variety of natural colors and shapes. However, until about 5 years ago, it was impossible to find a round freshwater pearl. Shells are introduced into oysters as the irritant to produce salt water pearls. A salt water pearl can easily be made round by introducing a round pearl nucleus. A few layers of nacre form on the outside of the round nucleus producing a round pearl. The fresh water pearl is all nacre. They are formed by putting actual parts of a mussel mantle into another mussel mantle. Many shapes could be introduced by slicing the inserted mantle into different shapes, but the round pearl eluded them. However, where there is a will there is a way. Today you can buy round freshwater pearls. They are created in a few different ways. In some cases, poor quality freshwater pearls are tumbled into a round shape. This round nacre is then introduced into the mantle for more nacre (hopefully, better quality) is produced around it. A round pearl results. Some cultured freshwater pearls are also now created by introducing a round shell nuclei just like the salt water pearls. No one seems to care how the pearl is made and no one method insures a higher or lower price tag. Even with these new advances in pearl production, most freshwater pearls are sold as 'near round'. The price is instead determined by the same factors that determine all gem and pearl buying: color, shape (not cut), clarity and size (carat). The bigger the freshwater pearl, the rounder the pearl, the more luster, the higher the price. The more expensive, higher quality freshwater pearls are truly beautiful. They bear no resemblance whatsoever to the dull, lifeless, crinkly shaped freshwater pearls that are seen in discount stores selling for virtually pennies. But remember Lake Biwa and keep in mind that mussel farms are always endangered by pollution. The lake that produces the specific freshwater pearl you love today may not exist tomorrow. So, if you see a color, shape, size pearl that you like, you have my permission to get it now while the getting is good<vbg> References / Resources Pearls, by Fred Ward American Museum of Natural History
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