Where Do Pearls Come From? Freshwater Pearl Farm on the Tennessee River

Tennessee is the home of the only freshwater pearl farm in North America. Pearls have long been recognized as a symbol of purity and their popularity has remained stable for centuries. Pearls for ornaments and jewelry are formed by oysters or mussels on farms found mostly in Japan, China, South Seas and of course in Tennessee. Freshwater pearls are rarely found naturally in the Tennessee washboard mussel. Most of the pearls are grown at the only culturing farm operation in North America at Birdsong Resort near Camden, Tennessee on the Tennessee River. The pearls are composed of concentric layers of a crystalline substance called nacre which is calcium carbonate. It is this nacre that gives the pearl its lustrous iridescence and accounts for must of the pearls' beauty.

When we toured the Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm in May, we were lucky to have been escorted by Adrienne who is the designer of the freshwater pearl cabochons which her customers use as ornaments. She explained how the pearls take the shape of ornaments. Adrienne said that there are different methods of seeding the mussels for pearls and that the implant method is the most suitable for making freshwater pearl ornaments since it gives the pearl farmer the most options for shapes and sizes. The implant or seed is made of the same material as the mussel shell and can be shaped to any size prior to implanting and it is actually implanted in the mussel. A round implant causes a round pearl to be formed and a triangle implant in the mussel will form a triangle pearl.

It sounds more simple than it really is of course, because there is a 3-5 year wait after the mussel with the implant is moved to the farm in the Tennessee River while mother nature works her magic. It isn't all magic however, because the mussels are closely monitored during this time for temperature and water quality and there are very few technicians that are skilled at implanting the seeds into mussels. It took many years before the Japanese technique of culturing pearls was successfully adapted to the Tennessee native waters and mussels, and 1984 was the first year that a productive harvest was turned. Thanks to the diligence of culturing farm founder John Latendresse, cabochons and jewelry or wearable ornaments can be viewed and purchased at moderate prices. If your interest is peaked, you can read more about the process of culturing freshwater pearls and perhaps even tour the Tennessee River Pearl Farm & Museum just off of I-40 in Tennessee.

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Wholesale Freshwater Pearls

Freshwater pearls are considerably more affordable than other kinds of pearls in the market today.  For one, they are not very hard to come by and they are not as valuable as the rest of the pearl species.  However, they still exude beauty and elegance which are both inherent qualities of genuine pearls.  
If you are thinking of buying wholesale freshwater pearls, you might as well get the best price possible.  There are a lot of stores where you can buy them in bulk and get a good price to boot.  When purchasing wholesale freshwater pearls, the same rules still apply for when you are buying any other kind of pearls.  You should examine the dominance of their color, the lustre or shine, and the shape.  Not all pearls are perfectly round, there are some that have somewhat imperfect shapes but they are nevertheless still fine pieces of jewellery only that they border in the peculiar.  
You should remember that not all bargains are good bargains.  Some sellers would sell sub standard pearls for the sake of making profit so you have to be meticulous in choosing them.  Wholesale freshwater pearls are supposed to look very solid, lustrous, and generally smooth to touch.  The downside of buying wholesale freshwater pearls is that you might not be able to examine every piece especially if you are making your purchase through the internet.  If that is the case, make sure that you have appropriated research of the store from which you are going to buy the pearls.

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Pearl Jewelry In Freshwater Pearls

When people think of pearls, most people think, freshwater pearls in jewelry beads. The most likely reasons for this popularity is because it is so much more market-fresh water pearl jewelry prices are excellent for this type of beaded jewelry. Another reason for the immense popularity of jewelry is fresh pear because of the variety of colors design beaded jewelry with these types of pearls. No matter what part of the country where you livepopularity freshwater pearl jewelry can be seen in most jewelry stores. The pale pink pearls and more pearls in metallic nature of lavender freshwater pearls are a more natural colors. Of course, it is becoming increasingly green, brown, purple, yellow, and all types of freshwater pearl cultivation in the market. Even with oysters freshwater cultured pearls in it are a popular gift idea for Hawaii.
People are opening the oyster and pop, to find a beautiful and brilliant pearlin it. Then the client decides, as a rule the ring in a pendant or ring setting is set for the pearl. It takes a lot to do with pearls. For example, in a pearl necklace 7.5 mm, there are usually 45-55 beads per string. Necklace of freshwater pearls in a variety of formats, but the most common size is 5 to 8 mm. Larger sizes are available, but costs do not increase the size too. One of the largest chains in freshwater cultured pearls, I saw a white man around 13-17mmCollar round freshwater is in what looks like a string of white South Sea seeks to close. Some jewelry stores that I could not go to make a difference when the South Sea pearls were white and freshwater. This dimension of the pearl is just not seen often. For a collection of this size, most people think that $ 20,000 more, but with freshwater pearls is a much lower price of about $ 2000 to $ 5000, depending on the quality and surface imperfections was. The surface quality is difficult tocope with this pearl of the size of freshwater cultured pearls. He begins to scratch a little "hard to describe, if it is a mirror like finish which is supposedly made of pearls. It is more of a pearly shell, as the brilliant, the pearl would be, if not with a shiny appearance.

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Tell you about The Quality Factors of Chinese Freshwater Cultured Pearls with Nuclei

Quality factors of nucleated Chinese freshwater cultured pearls.
Color: The colors of the Chinese freshwater cultured pearls with nuclei are left in the natural state and they are not bleached. Most of them are white enough to be made into traditional pearls necklaces. The colors correspond to those of non-nucleated pearls.
Shape and hues: The Chinese freshwater cultured pearls with nuclei are nearly round and they occur in a variety of hues like cream, dark cream, yellow, dark yellow, purple and pink, in addition to white.
Luster: Luster corresponds with the luster of non-nucleated pearls and is not as pronounced as with Akoya cultured pearls. Pearl surfaces are usually smooth, but they may show a slight growth structure, which distinguishes them from Akoyas and fives them a more natural look.
Nacre: For the Chinese freshwater cultured pearls with nuclei, nacre thickness is included in the grading system as an additional factor.

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Loose Freshwater Pearls

Freshwater pearls are making waves in the pearl market as many jewelers and designers wish to have them for their stylish designs. When not strung together these pearls are sold in sets as loose pearls. Although they are not as expensive as saltwater pearls, their strong and consistent quality make them the ideal pearls for jewelry and for those used as beads in gowns.
Freshwater pearls are made from freshwater mollusks which are mostly farmed in Japan and China. Most of the pearls sold in the market are cultured freshwater pearls that come in various shapes and colors. They also come in different sizes that one can use as pendants, strands and studs.

Freshwater pearls have sizes from 4mm to 11mm that are grouped according to their uniformity when sold in sets. One can choose from an array of colors such as grey, brown, pink, wine red, peach, orange and the rare black.
Freshwater pearls that have teardrop or pear shapes are used in pendants, earrings and as a center pearl in necklaces. The extremely interesting shape of baroque pearls make them ideal for necklaces too. Most freshwater pearls that are in production today are more round than the previous production of pearls. Some loose freshwater pearls are drilled at the center for one’s convenience in making strands for chokers, necklaces and bracelets. Coin and oval shapes are also available which are undrilled at the center because they sometimes go well as buttons or beads in bridal gowns. The button shaped pearls appear round and big when used as studs in earrings because the flattened half is usually covered.

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Akoya Pearls (Saltwater) Versus Freshwater Pearls

1) As you may have noticed, freshwater pearl jewelry is less expensive. And you know the Akoya pearl is more expensive....

A few reasons for this difference, one the freshwater pearl is easier to grow. Freshwater pearls are easier to grow because the process of nucleation is different and easier. The amount of nucleation per mollusk is much more in the freshwater pearl mussel (at one time 40 to 50) the most an akoya can produce might be 4 or 5 and they do not that often because quality goes down and mortality goes up. Freshwater mussels can be nucleated again with less mortality than the one time for akoyas. There is more control over the environment, ponds and streams as opposed to ocean water, which has typhoons and red tides to contend with.

2) Of course, Akoya Pearls are mostly round in shape.

And needless to say, Freshwater pearls are rarely round shaped.

The Akoya is nucleated with a round bead made from a freshwater mussel shell that is made round to begin with. The Freshwater mussel is nucleated with a piece of soft tissue, usually just a flat piece, or many flat pieces.

3) The freshwater pearl earring is solid nacre.

Here is something you might not know about...an Akoya Pearl Necklace has a bead core made of shell and only a coating of nacre, as thin as 1mm.

See above, the soft tissue that the freshwater mussel is nucleated with is absorbed leaving a pearl of solid nacre, more like natural pearls. The Akoya is nucleated with a shell bead of some size, and only allowed to develop nacre for a limited time before harvesting. The length of time is limited only by the cultivator's desire for quicker harvests.

4) A benefit of thicker nacre means that a freshwater pearl necklace will last longer.

Truth be told, low grade akoya pearl necklaces with a thin coating of nacre often chip and or wear off.

As you can imagine, a freshwater pearl with solid nacre has nothing to chip away; whereas, an Akoya pearl is possibly only a coating of as little as 1mm, so it can easily be worn or chipped.

5) The better grades of Akoya Pearl Jewelry have a higher luster compared to freshwater jewelry pearls.

A Freshwater pearl bracelet can have "orient', a rainbow iridescence noticed on heirloom or natural pearls. An Akoya pearl bracelet does not have this.

The nacre or mother of pearl of the Akoya has a greater luster or glow. The Freshwater pearl can have a trait called "orient" which is a shimmering of a rainbow of color, like the way that oil looks on water. Orient is seen on natural saltwater pearls and freshwater pearls; but, not on Akoya cultured pearls.

So it adds up to this: Things they are a changing. From keshi pearls called rice crispies because that's what they look like, to gem grade pearls. Freshwater jewelry pearls are now rivaling Akoya jewelry pearls in beauty.

Freshwater pearl jewelry is changing rapidly. A Freshwater pearl necklace will last longer, and be tomorrow's heirloom. Freshwater Pearls are gaining in quality and popularity.

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Get Looks With Real Freshwater Pearl Jewelry

Jewelry is no doubt the most sought gift for every lady. There are several types of jewelry available and among them Freshwater Pearl Jewelry has its own importance.

Freshwater Pearl jewelry is considered as a very important and most sought jewelry because of the fact that the Freshwater Pearls are quite hardly available. It is really a daunting task to produce these pearls and that is the reason why they are very popular because of their scarcity. The creation of the Freshwater Pearls is entirely dependant on the nature and so it is hard to get the best quality of such pearls in large quantities. There are other sorts of pearls available as well like Cultured Freshwater Pearls that are easy to find or even produce.

The making of Freshwater Pearls is quite similar to that of the pearls found in the sea water. Here if by chance any of the foreign objects like any sort of parasite or even small sized pebble gets into the oyster or mussel, then the process of making of Freshwater Pearl starts. Now, if it happens that due to any of the reason if the mussel is not in a position to get such foreign particle out, then it starts to create problem. In order to get rid of such problem the mussel secretes nacre and this is how the real Freshwater Pearl is produced. Freshwater Pearl Jewelry not only provides great looks but it also considered as unique as compared to other jewelries available.

There are several forms in which Freshwater Pearl Jewelry is available like in the form of Freshwater Pearl necklace or Freshwater Pearl earrings or even in the form of Freshwater Pearl bracelets. Today more and more people prefer to have Freshwater Pearl Jewelry. It is now considered as the trend especially in the teens as they like to wear them much as compared to other sort of jewelries available. There are several colors available in case of Freshwater Pearl Jewelry as well like in the color of pink, white, red etc. Even if you want to have these pearls in more than two colors together that is even possible. You can have a necklace with the triple color pearls. Thus you also get the choice of your color in case of Freshwater Pearl Jewelry.

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Freshwater Pearl Necklaces

Freshwater pearls make pearl jewelry the perfect gift for every woman and young girl. Pearls are rare commodities that were once possessed only by the rich and famous. Because of the pearl's aesthetic appeal, they are reputed to have medicinal properties. In China, women ingest freshwater pearl powder every morning and night to maintain their youth. The powder purportedly makes their skin smooth and less wrinkled. The powder is also used to treat various diseases.

Freshwater Pearls are small and sometimes irregularly shaped, as they are grown in various species of freshwater mussels. The colors range from pink, gray, black, bronze and lavender to white and off white. Due to the variety of freshwater pearls and the availability different shapes and sizes, freshwater pearl necklaces are in demand and easy to make. Because fresh water pearls are not very large, when beaded into a necklace they look very elegant and unique. Pearl necklaces can be beaded in different lengths, depending on the size of the pearls. Chinese freshwater pearls make the best necklaces. These pearls are tiny and not always round. Freshwater pearls are also available in various colors such as gold, silver, aqua blue, black, white, pink and cream yellow. Because of the different colorful pearls, these necklaces are extravagantly beautiful and a woman can have one to go with every color dress in her wardrobe.

Today, cultured freshwater pearl jewelry is a must for every woman's jewelry wardrobe. Fashionable, feminine and freshwater pearls enhance a woman's palette of styles. Rich and adaptable, a lustrous star in the world of fine jewelry, a simple pearl necklace can take a woman through every moment in her life and compliments any outfit in her wardrobe.

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