Different Types Of Pearl

A) Basra pearl—The most prized pearl in this list, found in the Shatt al-Arab river, Persian Gulf (also known as Arabian Gulf). The name Basra is derived from the old business hub of pearl,  Iran(Basra). Before 1930, the trading of natural Basra pearls played a crucial role in the country’s economy. Currently production of natural pearls has been totally stopped in this region.

B) Conch pearl—Found in the Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) of the Caribbean, with a size of up to 10mm. These are non-nacreous pearls with a unique flame-like pattern. They are rare and valued for their natural pink and peach hues.

C) Melo Melo pearl- These natural pearls are found in the melo sea snail (Melo melo) of Southeast Asia. They are non-nacreous and display a glossy porcelain-like luster in orange, golden, yellow, and brown shades. Officially, it is not a pearl, but because of grows in the same conditions as a pearl, considered a pearl. Size normally ranges up to 20mm and shows no iridescence.

D) South Sea Pearl

This salt water pearl cultured mainly in the warm water of Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Myanmar by the Pinctada maxima mollusk. It is famous for its large size, thicker nacre, and golden to silver tone. Due to thicker nacre layers, it exudes a soft, luxurious sheen with white, cream, golden, and silver colours. A long growth period, complex culturing process, and high failure rates give it a strong market value.

E) Akoya Pearl

This saltwater cultured pearl comes from the akoya oyster “Pinctada fucata.” This is a new and trendy variety of pearl. It mainly comes from Japan and China, but also from Australia, Vietnam, and South Korea. Its normal size is smaller (2 to 10 mm), and it is known for its perfect roundness, white hue, and mirror-like luster.

F) Tahiti / Black Pearl

It comes not only from the French Polynesian island (Tahiti) but also from around the island in the South Pacific. This is called a black pearl because it grows in a black-lipped oyster, or Pinctada margaritifera. Any pearl dark in colour is also referred to as a black pearl, even if not sourced from French Polynesia. The colour comes in black, blue, green, or gray with a size of 8 to 15 mm. This is recognized for its dark hue and brilliance and is rarely found in a perfect spherical shape.

G) Freshwater Cultured Pearl

Grow in the fresh water of lakes, rivers, or ponds. China is the world’s leading producer of this, but they also come from the U.S.A. and Japan.  Freshwater mussels are capable of producing dozens of pearls at once. Comes in a wide range of colours (white to pink to purple and even black), sizes, and budget-friendly options.

H) Edison Pearl

Edison pearls are large freshwater pearls with bead nuclei. They combine saltwater lustre with freshwater colour diversity, making them highly desirable.

I) Keshi Pearl

These exceptional lustered pearls are a byproduct of culturing with no bead nucleus inside. The word Keshi comes from Japan and means “poppy.” It comes in sizes 2-10 mm and in white, gray, or silver colour. It comes from two main sources—China and Japan. Japanese keshi pearls are more costly and of higher quality than Chinese pearls.

J) Abalone Pearl

A natural abalone pearl is a non-nacreous (porcelain-like luster), horn-shaped pearl that grows in a Haliotis mollusk (abalone). It is primarily found in California and New Zealand in blue, purple, or green colour with strong blue iridescence. Currently, cultured abalone is also coming into the market.

K) Venezuela Pearl

The term “Venezuela” specifically refers to a natural saltwater pearl grown in the water of Venezuela and the western Atlantic region by the Pinctada imbricata mollusk. But it is also currently being cultured.

L) Blister Pearl / Mabe Pearl

A hemispherical, dome-shaped pearl with a flat back, created by inserting a half-dome nucleus into the shell. They grow in the warm water of the Pacific Ocean, especially in Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Comes in white, cream, gold, silver, green, and peacock colours with a size of 8 to 15 mm. It can also come in a drop or heart shape.

Although all Mabe pearls are cultured today and take 6 months to 24 months to prepare, they are also formed naturally.

M) Biwa pearl

Freshwater pearls, whose name comes from the Biwa Lake in Japan (Japan’s largest freshwater lake), where they were historically farmed. These are known for their high luster and elongated, stick-like, and irregular shapes. Colours come in white, soft pink, lavender, and blue.

Currently, the term “biwa” is often used to describe the freshwater pearl of similar appearance produced in China.

N) Seed Pearl

A seed pearl is a tiny pearl. Often occurring naturally and popular in Victorian jewellery.

O) Baroque Pearl

This term refers to any irregularly shaped pearl, regardless of whether it is natural or cultured.