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Freshwater pearls
Freshwater pearls grow in non-saline environments. Freshwater pearls differ from other cultured pearls, in that the great majority of them are not bead-nucleated. They appear in a wide variety of shapes and natural colors, and they tend to be less expensive than saltwater pearls, making them very popular with younger people and designers. The character of a freshwater pearl is found in its distinctive surface texture and the warmth of its luster. They are dazzling in their rich, bright luster, and their unique charm will last you a lifetime. Also, because freshwater pearls are solid nacre, they are also quite durable, resisting chipping, wear, and degeneration. After the process of inserting a donor tissue into the mollusks, what happens after this point is really just speculation. Some believe that this tissue acts as a catalyst in producing a pearl sac thus making the 'nucleation' actual 'activation'. Others believe the tissue molds with the host to create a pearl sac, while still others maintain the tissue is the actual nucleus. The mollusks are returned to their freshwater environment where they are tended for 2-6 years. One mollusk can produce 24-32 pearls. We hand-select only the roundest, most lustrous freshwater pearls.