The facts
What freshwater Cultured Pearl actually is
Mineralogically, freshwater Cultured Pearl is mostly tissue-nucleated (non-beaded) cultured pearl from the triangle mussel Hyriopsis cumingii and hybrids — Solid aragonite nacre, usually with no bead, crystallising in the aggregate (orthorhombic aragonite) system.
The colour is caused by conchiolin pigments; natural pastel lavender, peach and cream do occur. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.52-1.69, and the specific gravity sits near 2.66-2.74 (typically lower than saltwater); cleavage is none.
Where freshwater Cultured Pearl comes from
The recognised sources are Zhuji, Zhejiang Province, China (the dominant producing centre), Jiangsu and Hubei Provinces, China, Lake Biwa, Japan (historic) and Tennessee River, USA (historic).
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How freshwater Cultured Pearl is treated
Dyeing is extremely widespread and cheap: strong pinks, blues, greens, golds, chocolates and blacks are essentially all dyed, and dye shows in the drill hole. Bleaching and polishing are routine. Bead-nucleated 'Edison' and 'Ming' pearls are freshwater pearls with a bead and should be disclosed as such rather than passed off as South Sea. No CITES. Natural-colour lavender and peach do exist but are subtle.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What freshwater Cultured Pearl is confused with
The usual confusions are Akoya (bead-nucleated freshwater is sold as akoya), South Sea (large Edison pearls are sold as South Sea) and Imitation pearls.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.52-1.69 and specific gravity 2.66-2.74 (typically lower than saltwater) settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What freshwater Cultured Pearl is used for
Freshwater Cultured Pearl is bought by jewellery — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat.
Durability and care
Freshwater Cultured Pearl is 2.5-4 on the Mohs scale, with none cleavage.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What freshwater Cultured Pearl costs
Indicative pricing for freshwater Cultured Pearl is $10-200 per strand for ordinary goods; fine large round natural-colour Edison strands $500-8,000.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is freshwater Cultured Pearl treated, and how?
Dyeing is extremely widespread and cheap: strong pinks, blues, greens, golds, chocolates and blacks are essentially all dyed, and dye shows in the drill hole. Bleaching and polishing are routine. Bead-nucleated 'Edison' and 'Ming' pearls are freshwater pearls with a bead and should be disclosed as such rather than passed off as South Sea. No CITES. Natural-colour lavender and peach do exist but are subtle.
Where does freshwater Cultured Pearl come from?
Zhuji, Zhejiang Province, China (the dominant producing centre), Jiangsu and Hubei Provinces, China, Lake Biwa, Japan (historic) and Tennessee River, USA (historic). Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is freshwater Cultured Pearl hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 2.5-4 on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does freshwater Cultured Pearl cost?
Indicatively $10-200 per strand for ordinary goods; fine large round natural-colour Edison strands $500-8,000. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is freshwater Cultured Pearl confused with?
Most often Akoya (bead-nucleated freshwater is sold as akoya), South Sea (large Edison pearls are sold as South Sea) and Imitation pearls. A refractive index of 1.52-1.69 and a specific gravity near 2.66-2.74 (typically lower than saltwater) separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for freshwater cultured pearl?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about freshwater cultured pearl