Many
people still associate freshwater pearls with the small, irregular
shaped pearls marketed 10 years ago. Today, Chinese cultured
freshwater pearls are a good value when you want real pearl jewelry.In
addition to Chinese freshwater pearls, Pearl Oasis now offers
the All-American Pearl Collection™, fine pearl jewelry made from pearls
cultured in the lakes of Tennessee. These beautiful American
freshwater pearls are grown longer than most Asian freshwater
pearls. The longer culturing time means that the All-American
Pearl has thicker nacre and a deeper luster. They are a better
quality freshwater pearl. The settings used in the All-American
Pearl Collection are designed and cast in the USA by American
artisans. The All-American Pearl Collection™
currently includes rings, earrings and pendants.Some
people think cultured pearls are fake pearls. They are not. They
are real pearls. Just like farm-raised cattle produce real beef,
farm-raised pearls are real pearls. Freshwater
pearls are from mussels while saltwater pearls are from oysters.
The chemical produced by the freshwater pearl mussel that forms
the pearls is identical to the chemical produced by the saltwater
pearl oyster. A live mussel is opened slightly and a small piece
of mussel tissue, shell bead or small pearl is inserted into
the mantle of the mussel. The mussel is then attached to a wire
frame and the frame is suspended from a float in freshwater lakes
or irrigation ditches. After
2 to 4 years, the frame is pulled up and the mussels are harvested
and the shells are opened. A single mussel can produce 10 or more pearls. Nature colors can
range from white, lavender, peach, or pink. After
harvesting, the pearls are often polished by hand or tumbled
with cork powder to bring up the luster. Some white pearls are
bleached using mild bleach and bright fluorescent lights. Finally,
they are drilled either half way through the pearl (half drills)
or all the way through the pearl. Half drills are used for earrings,
rings and pendants, while full drills are used for necklaces
and bracelets.
Freshwater
pearls are from mussels while saltwater pearls are from oysters.
The chemical produced by the freshwater pearl mussel that forms
the pearls is identical to the chemical produced by the saltwater
pearl oyster. A live mussel is opened slightly and a small piece
of mussel tissue, shell bead or small pearl is inserted into
the mantle of the mussel. The mussel is then attached to a wire
frame and the frame is suspended from a float in freshwater lakes
or irrigation ditches. 
After
2 to 4 years, the frame is pulled up and the mussels are harvested
and the shells are opened. 
A single mussel can produce 10 or more pearls. Nature colors can
range from white, lavender, peach, or pink.
After
harvesting, the pearls are often polished by hand or tumbled
with cork powder to bring up the luster. Some white pearls are
bleached using mild bleach and bright fluorescent lights. Finally,
they are drilled either half way through the pearl (half drills)
or all the way through the pearl. Half drills are used for earrings,
rings and pendants, while full drills are used for necklaces
and bracelets.