Freshwater Pearl Color Chart
Some pearls have stunning overtones that exhibit multicolors.
Freshwater pearl color chart. Intensities and hues vary quite a lot. Freshwater pearls are rich in orient an optical effect where rainbows of colors shimmer beneath the pearl s surface. Although freshwater pearl cultivation originated in japan china is now the world s major producer of freshwater pearls. Cultivated primarily around the islands of french polynesia the most familiar of these is tahiti.
Because the pearls are smaller often times it is more likely to have rounder freshwater pea. These saltwater cultured pearls sometimes referred to as black pearls have a wide color range. There is no set akoya pearl color only ranges of colors. Their body color can be white cream or colored yellow orange pink and purple.
The humble freshwater mussel while not as widely celebrated as its cousin the oyster is capable of producing high quality pearls. This process removes dark spots of conchiolin that show through the nacre. Be it a freshwater pearl necklace pearl bracelet or pearl earrings the options for freshwater pearls is endless new shapes colors sizes and textures are being introduced at breakneck speeds with new varieties making debuts yearly at the international pearl shows. The most common color for pearls is white cream or gray but they also come in colors such as purple black pink green champagne chocolate blue and lavender.
Pearls that grow with a natural white color include akoya pearls freshwater pearls south sea pearls and even occasional tahitian pearls which are most often dark. The akoya pearl color chart. Unless a seller specifically states otherwise assume a pearl has been at least bleached. 6 0 7 0mm pearls are best for petite persons or those wishing to maintain an understated minimalist appeal.
While white is a naturally occurring color in. This effect is similar to shifting rainbows reflecting on soap bubbles. Above are the 4 most common colors seen on the retail market today but by no means illustrate the full spectrum of possible colors. You may also find akoya pearls with a combination of colors such as white with rose overtones or gray with silver overtones.
The white pearl is considered a symbol of purity and is often associated with wedding and graduation celebrations. Generally speaking freshwater pearls tend not to have the luster and shine of saltwater but do form in a variety of shapes and colors and. Black akoya and black freshwater pearls are also available but are color treated usually dyed to reach their darker hues. Treatments are very common.
The most classic and widely preferred pearl color is white. As these pearls culture they develop their own distinct color creating a unique. Freshwater pearl sizes freshwater pearls range from 2 0 mm to 15 0. They have the widest size range of any pearl type.
The world of freshwater pearls is the fastest evolving of all cultured pearl types. Compared to other saltwater cultured pearls akoya pearls lack the exotic color range of other pearls. There are dozens of naturally occurring pearl colors found in freshwater pearls. In addition to white you will find delicate hues such as rose gray gold cream and silver.
Cultivated freshwater pearl colors range from white to tan and gray depending on the mollusk species. The most common overtones for black pearls are peacock green gold and rose mixture green blue green rose silver copper and aquamarine.