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.You may wonder why the prices of our pearls are so competitive. This is due to we have our own freshwater farm in several locations in China, that allows us to give our customers the best possible price for these beautiful pearls.