The Hidden Beauty of Freshwater Pearls
posted on 20 June 2011 | posted in
Fashion
Freshwater pearls are currently gaining popularity, as they are less expensive than traditional akoya pearls, are widely available. They are durable, come in a great range of jewelry options, and can accompany many clothing and fashion styles. Freshwater pearls are now acceptable accessories for belts, necklaces, earrings, and rings.
The Chinese have led the way in freshwater pearl production, with the Hunan Province as one of the prime locations producing superior quality of freshwater pearls, but there has been an increase in Japanese production as well.
Freshwater pearls come from saltwater mollusks which have been nucleated with mantle tissue from another mussel used as a donor. Mussels selected for the process are at least six to twelve months old. The nacre process is then cultivated for a period of anywhere from two to six years. The pearls are then harvested and used to create jewelry and other items. Freshwater pearls are truly a thing of cultivated beauty.
Other Sources: csmonitor.com
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