"Freshwater Pearl,
the natural beauty"

Freshwater pearls are natural pearls. They are cultured in sweet water, mainly in China and Japan lakes and rivers, and unlike other jewels, the pearl is an organic gem, in other words, it comes from a living creature. Pearls requires a culture between 3 and 8 years, and its main feature is that there is not human involvement during its production, only to obtain the best environment for the oysters, so this kind of pearl is so hard to get perfectly rounded.

Shape

Freshwater pearls has a great variety of shapes, as follows we explain the most common, See representative image:

- Rounded: generally it is the most valuable variety. Rounded pearl is symmetrical and it rolls straight.

- Baroque: indicates an irregular shape in the pearl. Usually, they are the less valuable, but there could be samples more expensive than rounded pearl.

- Semi rounded: they are pearls that have a round shape, but they are not completely spherical.

- Ribbed pearls: characterized by regular lines or concave rings that are perpendicular to an axis of revolution superior to a third part of the surface of the pearl.

- Semi-baroque: this is a general term that includes several kinds of pearls: button, pear, drop or oval. In other words, all these pearls that are not in any of the previous groups of pearls.

Size

The size of a pearl is calculated by its diameter in millimeters. Specifically freshwaters pearls can vary from 5 mm. to 16 mm. As size increase the pearl would be more valuable. The size of Freshwater pearls that Monperla offers is from 6,5 mm. to 12 mm. See representative image

Quality

The quality of a pearl is determined by its luster and the quality of its surface:

- The luster or culture of a pearl is concerned to its luminosity (the way that light is reflected on its surface), as well as its inner bright (how light is refracted in its nacre layers). Number of layers. A very beautiful luster belongs to a total reflection of light, providing a mirror effect. A pearl without bright has a dull appearance.

- The quality of the surface of a pearl is determined by the type and quantity of impurities that it contains. Cleaner would be the pearl; higher would be its value.

In order to determine the quality of a pearl there is an adjustment letter-system more or less standardized. This system is the same for every kind of pearl,except for Tahiti pearls, , which have their own system. Monperla only works with the most valuable pearls in the market, which are A, AA and AAA. See representative image:

1. AAA: very bright luster and a surface without impurities.

2. AA: bright luster and a surface without impurities.

3. A: less bright luster and there can be some impurities in the surface.

Color

Color is not a representative factor in order to determinate the value of a pearl, it depends on the customer. Freshwater pearls can be found in different tonalities, as grey, blue, gold, pink, white and all cream shades. These colors are obtained by natural way. Some pearls have a secondary shade or color. For instance, a white pearl might show a blue or pink touch if it is checked on a closer way. Freshwater pearls have a wider range than sea water pearls.

In order to know more about another types of pearls visit the section The Pearl.