Pearls

Pearls, both natural and modern cultured pearls, occur in a wide variety of colors. The most familiar colors are white and cream (a light yellowish brown). Black, gray, and silver are also fairly common, but the palette of pearl colors extends to every hue. The main color, or bodycolor, is often modified by additional colors called overtones, which are typically pink (sometimes called rosé), green, purple, or blue. Some pearls also show the iridescent phenomenon known as orient.

There are four major types of cultured pearls:

• Akoya—This type is most familiar to many jewelry customers. Japan and China both produce saltwater Akoya cultured pearls.
• South Sea—Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines are leading sources of these saltwater cultured pearls.
• Tahitian—Cultivated primarily around the islands of French Polynesia (the most familiar of these is Tahiti), these saltwater cultured pearls usually range from white to black.
• Freshwater—These are usually cultured in freshwater lakes and ponds. They’re produced in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colors. China and the US are the leading sources.