Freshwater Pearl Gemstone: Properties, Meanings, Value & More

Freshwater pearls are so much more than plain, white beads — these classic gems occur in various hues and shapes.

While pearls are categorized as gemstones, they have unique characteristics that set them apart from other gems. Mainly, pearls are the only gems created by an animal.

With only one in 10,000 oysters producing a pearl, it's clear that freshwater pearls are a rare and precious find.

Join us as we dive deep into freshwater pearls, from their physical properties and history to their symbolism, cultivation, and more.

About Freshwater Pearl

There’s been debate over whether pearls are precious or semi-precious, but their inherent beauty and cultural significance are indisputable.

What’s more legendary than Holly Golightly’s little black dress and classic pearl necklace in Breakfast at Tiffany's? Or Daisy Buchanan’s pearl headpiece in The Great Gatsby?

Besides making pop culture history, here are some other fun facts about pearls:

• Born in June? Pearls are one of your alternative birthstones.

• Gift your beloved pearls to celebrate your 30th wedding anniversary.

• Know your star sign? Pearls are a star stone for Gemini, Cancer, and Sagittarius.

Moving on, how can you tell if freshwater pearls are real?

Freshwater Pearl Specifications & Characteristics

For starter with identification, genuine freshwater pearls have a soft, almost iridescent luster that’s different from the shine of imitation pearls.

They also have a slightly uneven surface. You can test this by rubbing the pearl against your front teeth. If it’s real, it’ll feel somewhat gritty or rough, while imitation pearls will feel smooth.

As for how they differ from saltwater pearls, freshwater pearls are typically smaller, more irregularly-shaped, less shiny, and more affordable — but more on that in a minute.

Here’s an overview of freshwater pearl’s mineral traits:

Chemical formula: CaCO3

Mineral family: Nacre; Organic gemstones

Composition: Calcium - Carbonate

Mohs hardness: 2.5 to 4.5

Color: White to cream, orange, purple, gray, pink; rarely, bronze and green

Crystal structure: Amorphous (non-crystalline)

Luster: Dull to pearly

Transparency: Opaque

Density: 2.6 to 2.78; cultured pearls: 2.72 to 2.78

Fracture: Uneven

Luminescence: Slightly (yellowish-white)

Treatments: Bleaching (very common), dyeing, irradiation

What is the difference between freshwater pearls and saltwater pearls?

Pictured above: Golden South Sea saltwater pearl

Freshwater Pearls vs Saltwater Pearls

Freshwater pearls form in mussels in freshwater lakes, rivers, and even artificial ponds. Compared to saltwater pearls, they’re generally smaller, more colorful, have less uniform shapes, and exhibit less luster.

Freshwater pearls are also more abundant. The mollusks that produce them can be cultured (or cultivated) in larger quantities, producing dozens of pearls at once. On the other hand, saltwater oysters are rarer and pricier because they only produce one or two pearls at a time.

Thanks to their abundant supply and widespread production, freshwater pearls are generally more affordable.

Despite being less expensive and easier to source, a freshwater pearl is a genuine pearl, just as much as its saltwater relative.

Curious about their history? Let’s take a peek at freshwater pearls’ past.

Freshwater Pearl History

Freshwater pearls have been revered for centuries for their mystical properties and status symbol.

From ancient China to the Roman Empire, they’ve garnered cultural significance as symbols of fortune and prosperity.

The 19th century saw the development of freshwater pearl farming in Japan, marking a major shift in the pearl industry from wild harvesting to cultivation.

Kentucky became a significant producer of freshwater pearls in the late 1800s and early 1900s, even designating them their official state gemstone in 1986.

In terms of wellness, what are the benefits of wearing freshwater pearls?

Freshwater Pearl Healing

Some believe that pearls are powerful healing stones associated with water. They symbolize purity and promote balance, serenity, and tranquility.

Crystal healers also use pearls as a universal chakra stone for balancing all your chakras (or energy centers).

In terms of value, are freshwater pearls worth anything?

Freshwater Pearl Gemstone Properties

Experts grade all gems to determine their value, quality, and rarity. They assess characteristics like color, cut, clarity, and carat weight or size.

Freshwater pearl grading, however, depends on color, shape, luster, surface quality, size, and treatments.

Color

The most common colors of freshwater pearls are white, cream, and pink.

What is the rarest color of freshwater pearls? Natural black pearls are the most valuable and sought-after, followed by gold and silver.

Their color results from a few factors, including mollusk species, water quality, and genetics.

For instance, Chinese freshwater pearls are known for their white and pastel colors, while American ones are usually peachy-pink or lavender.

Shape

Rather than being cut cabochon-style or faceted into different gemstone shapes like crystalline structured gems — freshwater pearls naturally occur in different shapes, like round, near-round, oval, button, drop, or interesting, free-form baroques.

Perfectly-round freshwater pearls are much rarer and harder to cultivate, making them some of the most valuable.

Luster

Luster is a pearl's ability to reflect light and produce a shine or glow along its surface.

Pearls with high luster are more valuable and sought-after, as they have a bright, mirror-like sheen that reflects light nicely.

Pearls with lower luster may appear dull or cloudy, making them less expensive.

Sometimes, freshwater pearls exhibit optical effects like iridescence (a rainbow-like play of color), asterism (a star-shaped pattern), or chatoyancy (a “cat’s eye” effect). However, these optical effects are rare in freshwater pearls, garnering these stones higher prices.

Pictured above: Freeform freshwater pearl with growth inclusions

Surface Quality

Similar to inclusions, blemishes are imperfections on a pearl. They’re caused by damage during the pearl's growth or from handling during harvesting and processing.

In the pearl industry, blemishes are split into three categories:

• Surface Blemishes: visible on the outside of a pearl (such as scratches, nicks, or spots)

• Internal Blemishes: visible inside a pearl (cracks or air bubbles)

• Structural Blemishes: related to a pearl’s shape or structure (irregular shape or even surface texture)

Minor blemishes don’t always impact value if they’re not visible to the naked eye. However, major blemishes can greatly affect a pearl's value.

Size

Instead of carats, pearls are usually measured in millimeters.

Freshwater pearls range between 2mm and 16mm, with anything over 10mm considered rare.

As mentioned earlier, freshwater mollusks can produce multiple pearls simultaneously, but it’s rare for them to be the same size.

Larger pearls with a smooth surface, high luster, and attractive color are generally the most valuable. However, smaller pearls with good quality and unique shapes can be just as valuable.

Pictured above: Dyed black freshwater pearl earrings

Treatments

The most common treatments that freshwater pearls undergo are:

• Bleaching: Lightens a pearl’s color and removes surface blemishes

• Dyeing: Alters a pearl’s color

• Irradiation: Creates a range of intense colors in pearls

Although these treatments are meant to enhance a pearl’s appearance, they also diminish its durability, quality, and value.

Freshwater Pearl Formation & Sources

Freshwater pearls are the only tissue-nucleated cultured pearl in the world.

Tissue nucleation involves inserting a small tissue from a donor mollusk into a host mollusk's mantle tissue. This then forms a pearl sac and, eventually, the pearl itself.

Unlike most saltwater pearls, which are cultured and form around a bead nucleus inserted into the mollusk by a human, natural freshwater pearls form without any outside intervention — making them more natural and less invasive.

However, some pearl farmers may still insert a small piece of tissue or mantle from another mollusk to stimulate pearl growth and improve their quality or size. These would be cultured freshwater pearls. 

After the freshwater pearls develop, they’re harvested by opening the mollusk and removing the pearls from the mantle tissue.

Freshwater Pearl Price & Value

Freshwater pearls vary in price according to quality and size.

Here’s an overview of what you can expect:

• $5 to $20 for lower-quality, off-round, or potato-shaped pearls

• $20 to $50 for mid-range quality, slightly off-round, or button-shaped pearls

• $50 to $100 for high-quality, nearly round or oval pearls with good luster and surface quality

• $100 to $500 or more for very high-quality, nearly round or round pearls with excellent luster and surface quality

Why are freshwater pearls cheap? There are a few reasons:

1. They’re more accessible and lower in demand.

2. Several pearls can be produced at once.

3. They can be harvested after just a few years.

4. They’re generally lower quality compared to other pearls.

How long do freshwater pearls last? That depends on how you care for your gems.

Freshwater Pearl Care and Maintenance

What happens if freshwater pearls get wet? Do freshwater pearls turn yellow? Do freshwater pearls fade? These are things you may be wondering when learning to preserve your new pearl.

Here are some tips for ensuring your freshwater pearls endure for years to come:

• Put your pearls on last to minimize exposure to perfumes or lotions.

• Wipe down your pearls with a soft, damp cloth after each wear.

• Lay pearl necklaces down when storing them to avoid stretching.

• Store your pearls in a cool, dry place away from sharp components.

• Keep your pearls away from harsh chemicals and detergents.

• Avoid wearing your pearls while swimming, showering, or exercising.

Discover the Timeless Elegance of Freshwater Pearls!

For years, pearls have been celebrated for their timeless beauty and sophistication.

As freshwater pearls continue to adorn the collections of iconic jewelry collections — it's evident that these lustrous gems are here to stay.

Buy freshwater pearl gemstones today!