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Pearl Types
Mollusk
Origin
Size Range
Common Colours
Key Identifiers
Freshwater Pearls
Hyriopsis cumingii, Hyriopsis schlegelii
China, United States
2mm–15mm (most common 6mm–10mm)
White, cream, pink, lavender, peach, with various overtones
Often display a slightly wrinkled or textured surface.
Baroque and rice shapes common.
Typically tissue-nucleated (solid nacre construction).
Softer, more satiny lustre compared to Akoya.
Wide availability and generally lower commercial price point.
Mollusk
Origin
Size Range
Common Colours
Key Identifiers
Akoya Pearls
Pinctada fucata martensii
Japan, China
2mm–11mm (most common 6mm–8mm)
White, cream, silver, with rose, cream, or silver overtones
Exceptional luster, nearly perfect round shapes, sharp light reflections, thin nacre (0.2–0.5mm), bead nucleated
Mollusk
Origin
Size Range
Common Colours
Key Identifiers
South Sea Pearls
Pinctada maxima
Australia, Indonesia, Philippines
8mm–20mm (most common 10mm–15mm)
White, silver, golden, champagne with various overtones
South Sea pearls are distinguished by their large average size and substantial nacre thickness. The thick nacre layers contribute to a characteristic soft, diffused lustre and a pronounced internal glow. Shapes may range from round to baroque. These pearls are bead-nucleated and cultivated primarily in warm saltwater environments.
Mollusk
Origin
Size Range
Common Colours
Key Identifiers
Tahitian Pearls
Pinctada margaritifera
French Polynesia, Cook Islands
8mm–18mm (most common 9mm–14mm)
Black, grey, green, blue, purple, with peacock, green or blue overtones
Dark natural bodycolour ranging from grey to near-black.
Metallic lustre often stronger than other saltwater types.
Thick nacre layers.
Frequently baroque or drop-shaped.
Distinctive “peacock” overtone displaying green and violet secondary hues.
Bead nucleated.
Mollusk
Origin
Size Range
Common Colours
Key Identifiers
Edison Pearls
Hyriopsis cumingii
China
11mm–20mm
White, golden, lavender, chocolate, with strong metallic overtones
Large size relative to traditional freshwater pearls.
Typically round in shape.
Bead nucleated (unlike traditional freshwater pearls).
Strong metallic lustre.
Marketed as a premium freshwater category.
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