Freshwater Pearls: An Introduction

                                                                                         

Freshwater pearls are a type of pearls that are formed in the shells of freshwater mollusks or mussels. Advancement of the culturing techniques has made these pearls a worthy replacement of saltwater pearls in the jewelry market. Nowadays, China has emerged as the largest producer of freshwater pearls and export the variety pearls to different parts of the world.

How they are formed?
A freshwater pearl is formed when the irritant is introduced into the shell of a mussel. Naturally, an irritant could be anything from sand, a piece of rock or an organic material. In cultured pearls, an irritant is inserted into the shell from another mussel. It forms a layer of protective material, better known as nacre over the foreign material. This nacre later takes the shape of a glowing pearl.

Attributes of Freshwater Pearls:
Freshwater pearls can be available in a range of colors. Also, the natural color of the pearl can be enhanced by polishing, dying, and bleaching techniques. Usually, a pearl with a light pink shade is considered of highest value. In Freshwater Pearls, the color of the pearls contributes a lot in deciding their value in the commercial market.

Rarely pearls are round in shape. Most pearls come in elaborate symmetrical ornamentation. Majority of pearls are ovoid in shape, or take the form of tear drops. Flattened wing pearls are also not uncommon.

Freshwater Pearls in Jewelry
You can find different jewelry with freshwater pearls these days. Irregular pearls are designed in such a way that their shapes can be highlighted in the best manner. They act as supporting double-strung gem and provide strength and durability in a jewelry piece. In combination with metals such as gold, silver and others, freshwater pearls offer a breathtaking combination. They can also be carved with other stones to result into a beautiful jewelry.

About the author:
The article is contributed by a professional content writer, having experiences of working in different industries. For further information on Freshwater Pearls and Freshwater Pearl earrings please visit at http://www.alohapearls.com/

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com