Freshwater Pearls
posted on 27 January 2011 | posted in
Fashion
Normally freshwater pearls are not as perfectly round as salt water pearls and they might not have the same lustre or shine as akoya pearls. However with the advent of pearl farming in China they can be produced in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colours which makes them much less expensive than the traditional saltwater pearl and therefore much more popular, particularly with younger people and jewellery makers and designers. Freshwater pearls are made from solid nacre and therefore they are very durable and will resist wear and tear.
China is the leading country for freshwater pearl production with a total production f 1,500 tonnes in 2006. The industry started in the Shanghai province but not includes many surrounding areas including, Zhejiang, Anjui, Jiangsu, Hubei, Hunan and Jianxi. Probably the largest marketplace in the world for the trade of freshwater pearls is Hong Kong with its many pearl markets.
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