A Pearl is NATURAL if it is produced by saltwater oyster or freshwater mussels by an irritant accidentally getting inside. It is formed as the mullusk of the oyster or mussel secretes layers of a protective, pearly substance called nacre around an irritant. This irritant is the center or nucleus of the pearl which has accidentallyentered the mullusk of the oyster or mussel. This irritant can be a tiny snail, worm, fish , crab, particle of shell, mud or even "A Grain of Sand". There simply arn’t many natural pearls produced anymore. So man has decided to produce pearls on purpose. Man made pearls are called Cultured. Cultured pearls are pearls that have the nucleus or irritant intentionally introduced by man. Therefore, the term Cultured is used to describe man made pearls today. It can be confusing because many think that cultured pearls are saltwater pearls, but in fact, freshwater pearls are actually cultured as well as saltwater. The term cultured pearl usually refers to a saltwater pearl even though the term cultured has nothing to do with the pearl being salt water. All man made pearls are cultured. But, it seems that folks refer to saltwater pearls as cultured pearls. The fact of the matter is that freshwater pearls are also cultured even though the term cultured is not used to describe them.
Saltwater Cultured Pearls - Are made by the insertion of a shell bead nucleus along with oyster mantle tissue. The pearl takes on the shape of the inserted nucleus.
Freshwater Cultured pearls - Are made by mostly mussels in rivers, lakes or ponds. Freshwater pearls are created by insertion of a piece of mantle tissue without the need of a nucleus. This makes productions much easier and less expensive. So, in most cases, freshwater pearls have no nucleus.
*the image to the left at the top is of freshwater coin pearls. A shell as well as mantle have been inserted to get this wonderful shape.
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