Here you will find freshwater pearls in various shapes, sizes and colors for jewelery making and creative projects. Explore our selection of freshwater pearls on strings as well as selected single pearls for bracelets, necklaces, earrings and other jewelry designs.
Note that you can get a 25% discount when you buy 4 on most of our freshwater pearl strings!
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What is a freshwater pearl?
A freshwater pearl is a pearl that occurs or is grown inside a mussel that lives in fresh water.
Cultured pearls are also called cultured pearls. When pearls are cultured, a foreign object, often a glass ball, is inserted into the mussel. This triggers the mussel's defense mechanism, which is to protect itself by laying layer upon layer of thin mother-of-pearl on the outside of the foreign body. The more layers of nacre, the more 'depth' the pearl has.
In nature, freshwater pearls occur when small, sharp grains of sand enter the mussel. As with cultured pearls, the freshwater mussel now lays layer upon layer of mother-of-pearl on the outside of the grain of sand, so as not to be damaged by the sharp edges.
Jewelry making with freshwater pearls requires a careful approach to highlight their unique beauty. These beads can be used in earrings, necklaces, bracelets and many other jewelry projects. Working with freshwater pearls allows designers to create everything from subtle, classic designs to bold, contemporary jewelry. The craftsmanship behind each piece requires precision and a good understanding of the pearls' characteristics, making each piece a special creation.
Cultured freshwater pearls are widely used as natural freshwater pearls are rare and cost accordingly.
Who can wear freshwater pearls?
Today, fortunately, there are no restrictions on who can wear jewelery with freshwater pearls. So both young and old, men and women and everyone in between, can find a way to use this classic.
Recently, style icons such as Harry Styles have introduced the freshwater pearl chain in new perspectives. both because he, as a man, has embraced it and also because the freshwater pearl jewelery he wears often challenges the classic freshwater pearl chain, by mixing fun pearls made of glass or plastic with freshwater pearls and giving the classic a more playful character in a bold new interpretation.
What colors are freshwater pearls available in?
The natural colors of freshwater pearls are whitish, pink, peach and lavender shades.
They are also available in all the colors of the rainbow and with a stronger play of colors, but they are dyed freshwater pearls. Freshwater pearls are porous on the surface, so you color the pearls by lowering them into dye baths. The pearl absorbs the color and in this way we can get freshwater pearls in colors that nature itself cannot create and the strong colors can be the icing on the cake if you are more into the colored than the classic white.
What forms are freshwater pearls found in?
Rice
Rice freshwater pearls are elongated, drilled on the long link of the pearl. It is one of the forms you most often find in the shop. They look great in a pearl necklace that can be used both for everyday use and festive occasions. But they also look good in an earring and give your earlobe a little magical glow. Rice freshwater pearls are available from 2 mm up to 12 mm.
Potato
Potato freshwater pearls appear more round, but are not quite as the name suggests. They are drilled on the shortest link of the bead. This is also common in the trade. Like rice freshwater pearls, this shape is also suitable for a pearl necklace suitable for any occasion or as part of an earring you can make from our pearls and jewelry pieces. Potato freshwater pearls are usually available from 3 mm up to 10 mm.
Baroque
Baroque freshwater pearls are intentionally cultured to be bumpy, angry and crooked. They are often large and conspicuous. If you wear such a necklace to a party, it will liven up even the dullest outfit and make people take a second look. Baroque freshwater pearls are at the large end of the different types of freshwater pearls. They usually measure 15-30 mm.
Biwa
Biwa freshwater pearls are named after the Japanese lake where, in 1924, pearl cultivation was first successful. Back then, Biwa freshwater pearls were very small and looked like small grains of rice. What is known today as a Biwa freshwater pearl is a pearl of around 15-25 mm in length and 3-6 mm in width. The Biwa pearl is beautiful both as a pendant in a necklace, as a string of pearls or in a pair of earrings.
Round
Round freshwater pearls, despite centuries of refinement of the cultivation methods, are still difficult to make, therefore the round freshwater pearls can be quite expensive. The round freshwater pearls usually measure between 3 and 12 mm.
Various
As the methods of cultivating freshwater pearls were refined, new forms of freshwater pearls were also learned to be produced. You can find freshwater pearls shaped like moons, fish, coins and all sorts of other shapes.
How do you tell the difference between real and fake pearls?
If you want to check if your freshwater pearls are real, rub two of your freshwater pearls against each other. If there is friction, you know they are real. The friction comes from the pearls' calcium content, which is a key ingredient for pearls.
Real pearls have a change in color on the surface of the pearl. What is seen on the particularly glossy ones as a rainbow effect. If your pearl only shines through and shows a colour, then it is an imitation of a pearl, which you can test yourself by placing the pearl in a bowl of water. Water amplifies the overtones and acts like a magnifying glass.
You can also look at the holes on the bead. If it is fake, it is often seen as a bit of paint flaking at the edge of the hole. It is never seen on a real gem.
How do you take care of your freshwater pearls?
Freshwater pearls have a porous surface and will therefore be susceptible to liquids they come into contact with. If you use products such as perfume or hairspray, wait to put on your freshwater pearl jewelery until the products have evaporated, as freshwater pearls are sensitive to chemicals.
The best thing you can do to preserve the brilliance of your freshwater pearls is to simply walk with them. It helps the pearls retain their natural moisture and thus not dry out and lose their shine.
You can also choose to put your freshwater pearls in lukewarm, boiled water. This will clean the beads*.* Finally, wipe them gently with a clean, soft, dry cloth.
Are you missing freshwater pearls?
Are you into ready-made jewelery made of freshwater pearls or would you like to try it yourself? Look in our webshop where you both can find the most beautiful freshwater pearl chains in lengths of 40, 45 and 50 cm and loose freshwater pearls and jewelry parts, such as ear hooks, creoles and pearl sticks, so you can make your own beautiful pair of earrings with freshwater pearls.