STEP 1: UNDERSTAND THE VARIETY OF PEARLS AVAILABLE

When shopping for pearl jewelry, it’s important to understand the variety of pearls available and what their typical uses are. Different types of pearls are used for different applications. Most investment-quality pearls have a round shape, come from select types of oysters and feature a thick nacre. American Pearl understands that not everyone is as passionate about pearls as we are, so we’ve made it our goal to educate our customers so they can make an informed purchase.

There are many different varieties of pearls on the market, but most consumers will only ever encounter a few types. The 9 types of pearls used in jewelry applications are:

Japanese Akoya
Chinese Akoya
White South Sea
Black South Sea
Golden South Sea

Freshwater Cultured Pearls
High Grade Freshwater Pearls
Natural Pearls
Synthetic Pearls

The type of pearl used will depend on the application. Some varieties, like Japanese Akoya, are more suited for high end jewelry, while other varieties, like synthetic pearls, are best suited for costume jewelry. The table below has more information about each variety of pearl.

THE VARIETY OF PEARLS IN THE MARKETPLACE
PEARL VARIETY	COUNTRY OF ORIGIN	SPECIES of MOLLUSK	CHARACTERISTICS	POSITION IN THE CONSUMER MARKETPLACE
Japanese Akoya Cultured Pearls	Japan	pinctada fucata oyster	Investment Grade Round Shapes Sharp Reflections 1mm to 10mm Saltwater	Higher end jewelry stores such as Tiffany & Co. and Mikimoto
Chinese Akoya Cultured Pearls	China	hybrid oyster	NOT Investment Grade Round Shapes Mostly Dull Reflections Up to 8mm Saltwater	Low end stores and designer boutiques such as Barney's
White South Sea Cultured Pearls	Australia Indonesia	Pinctada Maxima oyster	Investment Grade Round Shapes Sharp Reflections 7mm Up to 20mm Saltwater	Higher end jewelry stores such as Tiffany & Co. and Mikimoto
Black South Sea Cultured Pearls	French Polynesia	Pinctada Margaritifera oyster	Investment Grade Round Shapes Sharp Reflections 7mm Up to 20mm Saltwater	Higher end jewelry stores such as Tiffany & Co. and Mikimoto
Golden South Sea Cultured Pearls	Indonesia Australia	Pinctada Maxima oyster	Investment Grade Round Shapes Sharp Reflections 7mm Up to 20mm Saltwater	Higher end jewelry stores such as Tiffany & Co. and Mikimoto
Freshwater Cultured Pearls	China	Hyriopsis Cumingi Mussel	NOT Investment Irregular Shapes Sharp Reflections Up to 20mm Freshwater	Low end stores and designer boutiques such as Barney's
High Grade Freshwater Pearls	China	Hyriopsis Cumingi Mussel	NOT Investment Round Shapes Sharp Reflections Up to 8mm Freshwater	Low end stores and designer boutiques such as Barney's
Natural Pearls	Everywhere	any species of mollusk invertebrae	Investment Grade Any Shape or Size NOT cultured, these pearls are found by accident Saltwater or Freshwater	Extremely rare, sold at auction houses and antique and estate dealers
Synthetic Pearls	Manufactured	none	NOT Investment Grade	Low end stores

There are many different varieties of pearls on the market, but most consumers will only ever encounter a few types. The 9 types of pearls used in jewelry applications are:

Japanese Akoya
Chinese Akoya
White South Sea
Black South Sea
Golden South Sea

Freshwater Cultured Pearls
High Grade Freshwater Pearls
Natural Pearls
Synthetic Pearls

THE VARIETY OF PEARLS IN THE MARKETPLACE
PEARL VARIETY	COUNTRY OF ORIGIN	SPECIES of MOLLUSK	CHARACTERISTICS	POSITION IN THE CONSUMER MARKETPLACE
Japanese Akoya Cultured Pearls	Japan	pinctada fucata oyster	Investment Grade Round Shapes Sharp Reflections 1mm to 10mm Saltwater	Higher end jewelry stores such as Tiffany & Co. and Mikimoto
Chinese Akoya Cultured Pearls	China	hybrid oyster	NOT Investment Grade Round Shapes Mostly Dull Reflections Up to 8mm Saltwater	Low end stores and designer boutiques such as Barney's
White South Sea Cultured Pearls	Australia Indonesia	Pinctada Maxima oyster	Investment Grade Round Shapes Sharp Reflections 7mm Up to 20mm Saltwater	Higher end jewelry stores such as Tiffany & Co. and Mikimoto
Black South Sea Cultured Pearls	French Polynesia	Pinctada Margaritifera oyster	Investment Grade Round Shapes Sharp Reflections 7mm Up to 20mm Saltwater	Higher end jewelry stores such as Tiffany & Co. and Mikimoto
Golden South Sea Cultured Pearls	Indonesia Australia	Pinctada Maxima oyster	Investment Grade Round Shapes Sharp Reflections 7mm Up to 20mm Saltwater	Higher end jewelry stores such as Tiffany & Co. and Mikimoto
Freshwater Cultured Pearls	China	Hyriopsis Cumingi Mussel	NOT Investment Irregular Shapes Sharp Reflections Up to 20mm Freshwater	Low end stores and designer boutiques such as Barney's
High Grade Freshwater Pearls	China	Hyriopsis Cumingi Mussel	NOT Investment Round Shapes Sharp Reflections Up to 8mm Freshwater	Low end stores and designer boutiques such as Barney's
Natural Pearls	Everywhere	any species of mollusk invertebrae	Investment Grade Any Shape or Size NOT cultured, these pearls are found by accident Saltwater or Freshwater	Extremely rare, sold at auction houses and antique and estate dealers
Synthetic Pearls	Manufactured	none	NOT Investment Grade	Low end stores

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STEP 1: UNDERSTAND THE VARIETY OF PEARLS AVAILABLE