Freshwater Pearl Colors: Are White The Most Valuable?

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Whenever anyone says the word pearl, all of us think of a white or cream beautiful stone. However, that is just one of the colors the freshwater pearls come in. These pearls come in white, black, natural pastel colors, and many more.

Here is your complete guide to understanding the various freshwater pearl colors.

Multi strand white pearl necklace

 

Freshwater Pearls: The Basics

You might be wondering why the pearls are called freshwater pearls. Well, these pearls are grown on freshwater ponds, rivers, and lakes. Most of these pearls are white and closely resemble the Akoya cultured pearls.

However, these pearls can also be created in various colors and shapes. Keep in mind that many freshwater pearls will not contain a bead nucleus. Instead, they will only have a tissue piece, which leads to a pearl with thicker nacre than the Akoya.

What Determines The Color Of Freshwater Pearls?

Freshwater pearls come in many colors, and this is the result of many factors. Here are the top factors that determine the color of the pearl:

  1. Mollusk’s Lip Color

The pear's color is mainly dependent on the mollusk's lip color. Most cultured freshwater pearls are made by implanting an irritant inside a pearl-producing mollusk. The mollusk that is used affects the color of the pearl produced.

The outer shell or the lip influences the pearl color forming inside the mollusk. For example, the Tahitian pearl oyster provides the dark color Tahitian pearls are known for from its black lips. In the same way, many freshwater pearls are influenced by this factor.

  1. Commercial Dye

Not all freshwater pearl colors are natural, as some are commercially dyed too.

For example, colors such as cranberry red, dark green, or deep blue are

not natural, and these pearls go through a dyeing process. Most of the time, an organic dye is used on the pearls.

Keep in mind that the dyeing process does not affect the quality of the pearls. If you are investing in high-quality freshwater pearls, you can be assured that the dyeing treatment doesn’t lead to the pearl’s monetary devaluation.

  1. The Substance Holding The Layers Of Pearl Together

Conchiolin is a substance inside the pearl that holds the nacre layers formed during the creation of freshwater pearls. The conchiolin acts as a natural glue for the pearl, and it can impact its color. That is because the conchiolin can be tinted with brown, red, black, or grey shades.

When such a color pigment is present inside, you can witness it through the crystalline layers of the pearl. The pigment creates various colors right at the pearl’s surface. That is why a freshwater pearl may be colored.

Final Words

That was your complete guide to understanding freshwater pearl colors and what affects this coloration process. You can add white, black, or pastel color pearls to your jewelry collection today. No matter what the color is, the pearl is always beautiful and can take your accessories style to the next level.


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