Freshwater Cultured Pearls

Cultured pearls, freshwater, imported from China. There is a mystique around pearls - one of our oldest gemstones. Until recently, pearls were beyond the reach of anyone except royalty and the most fabulously weathly (which, also until recently, were pretty much the same thing.) Now, you can have pearls.

What could be more classic than a pearl necklace? Matching earrings and a bracelet perhaps? Classic doesn't turn your crank - funk it up -- pearls are hot-hot-hot! Mix with something outrageous? Check the runways for inspiration! (For finest quality faux pearls, we carry Swarovski Pearls.)

Most affordable pearls, like most affordable gemstones, are colour-enhanced, either through dyeing, heat or irradiation treatment (no, it doesn't make them radioactive.) Those that are not are noted as being "Natural" colour, i.e. Natural White, Natural Ivory.

B-Grade Pearls - are like B-grade movies - you really only appreciate them at 2 a.m. with a friend and after a couple of drinks. No seriously folks. - they are a step down in quality in terms of consistency. The surface of the pearls is not as lustreous nor as even. However, they are also less expensive and might be just what you need! If they are an accent bead and not the feature, they fit the bill nicely.

Remember - pearls are made by molluscs, (oysters, clams, etc.) and processed in batches (by humans.) It can be very difficult to restock with the same item, and even if we order a shipment of 5 mm peach oval pearls - there is no saying that the second batch will look the same. They may vary in terms of size, texture and especially colour. So please, buy as much as you need to finish your project! After all, if these looked like they were made by machines, they wouldn't be half as much fun! If you do want machine-like consistency - check out our Fashion pearls and Swarovski Pearls, or even the Mother of Pearl beads.

Pearls have very small holes. Plan to string on fine softflex or equivalent.