Freshwater pearls have more imperfections, such as not being as round or smooth, when compared to salt water pearls.

Freshwater and salt water pearls can both be intentionally grown and harvested. In both situations, irritants are placed within an oyster (salt water) or mussel (fresh water) and they produce nacre (pearl material) around the irritant. After a few years, the end result is a pearl. Freshwater pearls have more imperfections, such as not being as round or smooth, when compared to salt water pearls. As a result, freshwater pearls are less expensive and quite popular among jewelry makers. Visit our Freshwater Cultured Pearls page to see our ever-changing selection of pearls.