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One of the most popular kinds of pearls being sold today is the fresh water pearl. Fresh water pearls are pearls that are developed and grown in a non-saline environment and through fresh water mollusks. Though pearls are normally grown and harvested from saltwater mollusks, freshwater mollusks can also produce great quality pearls. These kinds of mollusks are found in ponds, lakes, and rivers. China is very well-known for their production of fresh water pearls, making them the leading producer in the whole world. The United States was also known to be a leading pearl producer, but because of over-harvesting and the increasing pollution around the available habitats production decreased significantly.

So what sets freshwater pearls apart from the others? For one thing, a lot of designers and the younger generation tend to prefer these kinds of pears because they come in different shapes and natural colors. These are usually what adorn earrings, bracelets, and necklaces being sold in jewelry stores. Second, freshwater pearls are cheaper, which adds to their popularity among younger people significantly. Lastly, because these pearls are made out of solid nacre, they can resist the usual chipping, wear, and degeneration that other kinds of pearls are susceptible to. The only negative point that freshwater pearls has is the lack of luster and shine that other pearls such as the akoya possess.

As mentioned before, China is known to be the leading producer of freshwater pearls with a total of 1,500 tons in the year 2006. Production originated in the area around Shanghai, but eventually freshwater pearl production spread all throughout the provinces including Anhui, Hunan, Jianxi, etc. The largest and most popular marketplace for freshwater pearls is Hong Kong, so if you’re a fan of pearls and would like a wide collection to choose from, Hong Kong is the place.

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