Natural pearls form without human assistance -- when a foreign object, such as a parasite or piece of shell, accidentally lodges itself in an oyster's soft inner body where it cannot be expelled. This happens so rarely that, today, nearly all natural pearls one sees are in estate jewelry collections.

These pearls originate within a saltwater mollusk. Most pearls are cultured, because of lack of efficient and un-polluted waters it is rare to find natural Pearls. Salt water cultured pearls are mostly found in Japan, however, China has greatly improved there quality to match Japanese Saltwater pearls, such as the Akoya pearls from Japan. Freshwater pearl refers to a natural or cultured pearl that grows inside of a freshwater mollusk-which lives in a river or a lake.

Welcome to the Internet watch and jewelry community. The Internet has opened a whole new market to the watch and jewelry industry. We specialize in world-known brand new, pre-owned & vintage watches as well as handmade unique jewelry. We are not an authorized dealer for any watch brands or expert in watches & jewelries. Please read our profile to know more about us.

A freshwater pearl is a pearl that is cultured in a mussel in a lake, whereas the traditional saltwater pearl is cultured in an oyster in the ocean. Generally, the freshwater cultured pearls are less expensive than the Akoya pearls. South Sea Pearls are also grown in the sea, but are generally a larger size than the Akoya pearls and also more expensive.

Absolutely not. Cultured pearls, like natural pearls, are grown within live oysters. Each begins when a skilled technician surgically implants a host oyster with a shell bead and piece of mantle tissue. To protect itself, the oyster secretes a crystalline substance, called "nacre," over the irritant. Over time, the nacre layers build on one another, creating a surface that glows with a luster unique to true pearls.

Pearls have been bought and sold for thousands of years, but there still is no widely accepted standardized grading system, though individual vendors may use their own. Because no two pearls are ever alike, such a grading system would require hundreds of quality parameters. Also, the fact remains that some gem-quality pearls are so distinctive they defy comparison.

Yes. Freshwater Pearls are genuine pearls. The only difference between freshwater pearls and saltwater pearls are where they are grown. Saltwater pearls are grown in salt water in oysters or other bivalves. Freshwater pearls are normally grown in freshwater lakes in mollusks or other bivalves.

Absolutely not! Whatever the color, it is 100% natural. The pearl may end up being white though most normally, it varies from shades of gray to black, bronze and even greenish or purplish.

They are cultivated in pearl farms found primarily in the lagoons of the Tuamotu and Gambier Archipelagos -- a sprawling group of atolls and islands in French Polynesia.

Look for body color, lustre, overtone, and orient in the shadow area (not where the light reflects). Higher quality pearls have a clear color with few blemishes. Pearls come in many colors (black pearls are made from yellow or green pearls which have had acid dropped on the nucleus - it is very difficult to differentiate the natural from the cultured black pearls).

The pearl producers represented by Perles de Tahiti produce and export only 100 percent naturally colored cultured pearls.

They result from the decomposition of light as it passes through the pearl layers, which act as a prism. The layers break up the light the same way a raindrop does when light passes through it creating a rainbow.

Plankton, the microscopic animal and plant life found floating or drifting in the lagoons where the pearl farms are located.

Symptoms: Fish look like they have little white salt grains on them and may scratch against objects in the tank. White spot disease (Ichthyopthirius multifiliis) is caused by aprotozoan with a life cycle that includes a free-living stage. Ich grows on a fish --> it falls off and attaches to gravel or tank glass --> it reproduces to MANY parasites --> these swarmers then attach to other fish.

Most of our inventory is in China with some in San Diego, Ca USA. VistaPearls maintains a strong presence in Asia, especially East China to ensure a high level of trust and quality inspection. This makes us different from many other online pearl websites our main office is in Shanghai. Our proximity to pearl farms, allow us to have a high-quality inventory, to assure our customers receive the very best, from our trustworthy pearl farms.

Pearls are organic gems grown within oysters and other mollusks. Pearls are formed when a foreign particle causes the oyster to secrete nacre to cover it. The mollusk and oyster shells are formed by nacre. A pearl may be coated with thousands of layers of nacre. This occurs naturally. "Cultured" pearls are created the same way but the particle is implanted and farmed. Nearly all pearls are cultured. Freshwater pearls are formed in freshwater as opposed to saltwater pearls.

Yes, it is possible to use a protein skimmer in freshwater. But it makes no sense. The freshwater usage of skimmers does not justify the purchase. The benefits of skimming are only profitable in saltwater - that is why it is commonly believed that skimmers only work in salt. Unless you have scientific information about why the skimmer will work in your fresh environment, it is not advisable to waste your money!