Pearl Freshwater
What is better saltwater or freshwater pearls?
My husband asked me if I like freshwater or saltwater pearls. I don’t know the difference. Which one is better?
Freshwater Pearls versus Saltwater Pearls
When you think of freshwater pearls, small size and lopsided shapes may come to mind. That was pretty much the case ten years ago. For many years, freshwater pearl farms only produced low quality rice pearls, while saltwater pearls, were more round and of better quality. The past ten years has seen many improvements in the cultivation and processing techniques of freshwater pearls.
The least expensive cultured pearl product on the market today rivals the quality of the most expensive natural pearls ever found. This price-value is obvious to consumers as they buy Chinese freshwater bargains. Pearls from freshwater mussels lie at the center of the liveliest activity in pearling today.
In the 1990s, China surprised the market with freshwater pearls that were of much higher quality. The ever-inferior freshwater pearls are now steadily becoming a strong opponent of their saltwater counterparts.
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Freshwater Cultured Pearls, are farmed in freshwater and grown in mussels. The irritants and the oysters used in making freshwater pearls are smaller than saltwater pearls. Freshwater pearls cultivating technique usually produce twenty or more pearls in one oyster.
Saltwater Cultured Pearls, are farmed in saltwater, and grown in oysters. Only one pearl is grown per oyster. This makes salt-water pearls more expensive than freshwater pearls. Countries known as producer of saltwater pearl are Burma, Indonesia, Thailand, and Philippines in South East Asia; Australia and Tahiti in South Pacific, especially in Tahiti, you’ll find the beautiful black pearls.
The Differences.
The thickness of the nacre coating
Cultured saltwater pearls start with a shell nucleus that is seeded into the oyster. The oysters, over time, secrete a calcium (nacre), which covers this nucleus.
The nacre coating of Japanese Akoya pearls about a half-millimeter.
The nacre coating of Tahitian pearls-about 2 to 3 millimeters.
South Sea pearls develop the thickest-from 2 to 6 millimeters.
Freshwater pearls are all pearl — this is a big selling point for freshwater pearls. Because there is no hard nucleus inserted in freshwater pearls, freshwater pearls are almost all nacre.
Only South Sea pearls have a nacre coating as thick as that of freshwater pearls. However, for South Sea pearls to have the same thickness nacre coating of a 10mm freshwater pearl a South Sea pearl should be 18mm in size. You will have to spend a small fortune to have it. It only costs a small fraction of that money to buy a 10mm, top quality freshwater pearl.
Colors
Freshwater pearls have a special attraction since they come in a wide range of colors much more variety than seawater pearls. By adding very small quantities of metals to the water on a pearl farm, the colors of freshwater pearls can be very different; many of these colors are not found in saltwater pearls.
Shapes
Freshwater pearls can be found in almost any shape that you can imagine: round, drop, rice, button, oval, semi-round, circle or ringed, baroque and semi-baroque. Because of its popularity, the round shape is usually the most expensive, but as always, personal preference dictates the shape each customer will find most beautiful. In fact, baroque shapes, like the variety of colors, offers beaders more scope, although farmers aim for smooth round cultured pearls.
Cultivation periods
South Sea pearls and Tahitian pearls take 2 to 3 years to form. Japanese Akoya pearls take a shorter period, less than 2 years. The cultivation period for Chinese freshwater pearls in the 1980s was 18 to 24 months. This short time resulted in small sizes and low quality.
Over the past 10 years, Chinese pearl farms have changed their way of cultivating pearls and let their mussels stay in the water for much a longer time. Freshwater pearls take from at least 3 years to as long as 5 to 6 years before they are ready for harvest. Longer cultivation period lead to freshwater pearls that are much bigger in size and higher in quality
Comparable Sizes
New farming techniques and longer cultivation periods have increased the size of freshwater pearls. Large freshwater pearls in the range of 9 to 16 mm are now more common, equivalent to South Sea pearls in size yet more aggressively priced.
Quality
The shapes, surface and luster of new freshwater pearls have already surpassed the original Biwa quality. As testimony to China’s achievement, good freshwater pearls are now round enough, clean and lustrous enough to pass as Japanese Akoya and South Sea pearls.
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Rare Green 7-8mm Freshwater Cultured Pearl Beads Necklace $5.99 |
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ELEGANT GOLDEN GREEN FRESHWATER PEARL OVAL Beads 7x8mm $5.84 |
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Fashion Set 2 Strands Grey Freshwater Pearl Necklace Bracelet a11110 $0.36 |
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Charm Black Freshwater Cultured Pearl Gemstone Necklace 25″ $15.00 |
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Exquisite White Fresh Water Pearl Silver Hook Earrings $0.99 |
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wholesale 12strs freshwater pearl&zircon&18kgp necklace $36.99 |
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UNIQUE GENUINE FRESH WATER PEARL BEAD BLACK MACRAME BRACELET NEW GIFT IDEA HOT $48.00 |
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7x8mm BLUE FRESHWATER PEARLS OVAL Loose Beads FREE SHIP $5.84 |
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Cultured Fresh Water Pearl 7-8mm Purple Loose Beads J37 $4.12 |
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Fashion pink freshwater pearl twist bracelet 15-6 $0.59 |
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PINK AVENTURINE & FRESH WATER PEARLS NECKLACE/EARRINGS SET $9.99 |
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14.5″ White Color Flat Freshwater Pearls $6.99 |
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Handcrafted Art Blue Shell & Freshwater Pearl Elegant Chunky Necklace Set $29.99 |
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55″ 5-10mm Multicolor Baroque Freshwater Pearl Necklace G $5.03 |
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Beautiful lot 36pairs biwa freshwater pearl earring $61.99 |
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3mm pink freshwater pearl rondelle nugget beads15″ fwp $1.23 |
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15inches 6x7mm Natural Pink Freshwater Pearl Beads $5.99 |
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Fashion Set Black Agate & White Freshwater Pearl Necklace Earring a17229 $0.55 |
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wholesale 20strs A++6-7mm red potato Freshwater pearl $46.99 |
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74″ Freshwater Pearl Necklace 5-6mm Multi Color Baroque WGPCB $20.00 |
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Fashion Silver Net Fresh Water Pearl Wrapping Loop Style Hoop Earrings B0125 $5.50 |
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Fashion Grey Net Fresh Water Pearl Wrapping Loop Style Hoop Earrings B0126 $5.50 |
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Charm Yellow Freshwater Cultured Pearl Gemstone Beads Necklace 48″ $15.00 |
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5 Strands 64″ 7-8mm Gray freshwater pearl necklaces No Clasp $75.00 |
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Charming white freshwater pearl rings size 7 ~ 9 $0.90 |
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7-8MM CULTURED FRESHWATER PEARL NECKLACE & BRACELET SET $23.18 |
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New BLACK HILLS GOLD Made In Usa Freshwater Pearl Gold Earrings Weight 2.3g. $139.00 |
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Mixed Freshwater Pearl Necklace Bracelet Earrings Set #29 $14.99 |
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Fashion Golden Net Fresh Water Pearl Wrapping Loop Style Hoop Earrings B0124 $5.50 |
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charming 5 rows pink & white Fresh water pearl Long tie jewelry lady’s necklace $0.01 |
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Charm 44″ Rice Freshwater Cultured Pearl Gemstone Necklace $15.00 |
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Beautiful purple Freshwater Pearl Shell Flower Brooch $8.99 |
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New ROBERTO DEMEGLIO Made In Italy Freshwater Pearl 18K Gold Chandelier Earrings $2,079.00 |
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Brand New Freshwater Pearl Sterling Silver Bracelet Length 7.5 in. Weight 10.0g. $19.00 |
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Brand New Freshwater Pearl Sterling Silver Necklace Length 18 in. Weight 29.3g. $19.00 |
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Fashion 3 Strands White Freshwater Pearl & Amthyest Necklace E496 $0.18 |
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ELEGANT WHITE FRESHWATER PEARL BRACELET $0.99 |
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New Natural White Freshwater Genuine Pearl Silver Plated Stud Earring 1Pair $0.31 |
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Pretty 2 ROW 18KGP nobles black freshwater pearl necklace pendant Earrings sets $0.01 |
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STERLING SILVER FRESH WATER DROP PEARL NECKLACE $89.99 |
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ADORABLE 9MM PINK FRESH WATER CULTURED PEARL EARRINGS $8.99 |
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Yellow Nugget Fresh Water Pearl 7-8mm Loose Beads J735 $3.99 |
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8 rows 6-7mm white fresh water pearl bracelet 7.5 inch $0.90 |
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Orgone Accumulator Cone with Freshwater Pearl, Five Emeralds, and Silver Wire $24.99 |
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lilac butterfly 9*11-10*12mm freshwater pearl loose beads 15″long $9.99 |
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7x8mm Pale Green Freshwater Pearl Nugget Loose Beads 15″ sale $4.49 |
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28″ nature Freshwater Pearl Necklace $26.99 |
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Handmade Bridal Wedding Rhinestone Crystal Freshwater Pearl Tiara Comb WP06 $20.99 |
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8X5MM CULTURED FRESHWATER FW PEARL RONDELLE LOOSE BEAD $4.99 |
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8x15mm PURPLE FRESHWATER PEARL BLISTER Beads $0.99 |
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Silver 925 Gorgeous 9mm Black Freshwater Pearl Pendant $19.80 |
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925 sterling silver with white 6-7mm fresh water pearl stud earrling nice charm $0.99 |
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18″ 9-15 Golden 2Row Freshwater Pearl Reborn Keshi Necklace G Mother’s Day Gift $48.00 |
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Fashion white freshwater pearl crystal necklace 124-52 $0.59 |
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Exquisite White Fresh Water Pearl Silver Hook Earrings AAA $0.99 |
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49″/8″ 7-8mm Freshwater Pearl Multi Color Necklace Bracelet Dangle earrings $34.00 |
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Graceful White Freshwater Pearl Necklace Ring Earrings $22.99 |
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Charming jewelry 7-8mm Freshwater purple pearl women’s necklace set $0.01 |
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black Freshwater pearl necklace Earrings $0.90 |
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54″ 8-9mm White Pink Lavender Freshwater Pearl Necklace Strand Off Round $22.00 |
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1471.5CT Natural Rhodonite Freshwater Pearl Necklace XLL7 $9.50 |
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Charming white freshwater pearl rings size: 7 ~ 9# $1.54 |
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Freshwater Yellow Pearl Necklace Bracelet Earrings Set #19 $14.99 |
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Light Cyan Nugget Fresh Water Pearl 7-8mm Loose Bead J1 $3.99 |
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New Fancy 1 Set 7-8mm Light Pink Freshwater Cultured Pearl Earring $1.99 |
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Fancy Gold Band Freshwater Pearl Lady Cocktail Ring Sz7 $0.95 |
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Charming white Freshwater Pearl Green Jade clasp Bracelet Necklace $0.90 |
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CHIC FRESHWATER CUTE CULTURED PEARL NECKLACE #1 $1.30 |
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Ring Size 4 Huge Pearl Solitaire Sterling Silver 925 Freshwater Womens petite $19.99 |
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Wholesale 5strands 7-8×6-7mm lavender Freshwater Pearl $15.99 |
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Wholesale 5strands 8-9×6-7mm Blue-gray Freshwater Pearl $15.99 |
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8.0*9.0mm Silver Gray Drop Freshwater Pearl Pendant P1S Sterling Silver $7.00 |
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GENUINE FRESHWATER PEARL DROP PENDANT $28.99 |
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20 Pcs 11-12×9-10mm Chocolate Freshwater Pearl $9.70 |
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Charm 32″ Long Freshwater Cultured Pearl Gemstone Beads Necklace $15.00 |
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AFRICAN TURQUOISE & FRESH WATER PEARLS NECKLACE/EARRINGS SET $9.99 |
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Pink Long-dangle FreshWater Pearl Drop Earring 925 Sterling Silver Hooks caps $8.99 |
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Fashion white freshwater pearl rhinestone bracelet 28-28 $0.39 |
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Excellent 3 Rows White Freshwater Pearl Crystal button Pendant Necklace $0.01 |
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9mm White FreshWater Pearl Dangle Earring 925 Sterling Silver Hooks green discs $7.99 |
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Rare HUGE 12mm Freshwater Pearl Earrings in Bali 925 Sterling Silver by Pink Owl $29.99 |
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18″ 8-10mm White Freshwater Pearl Orange Khaki Leather Rope Necklace $13.50 |
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Rare luster white AA+++ 18*20mm baroque nuclear freshwater pearls/6235 $128.99 |
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14k solid gold AAA+ 9.3MM, 9.3MM freshwater pearl earrings $299 $99.00 |
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8mm White Fresh Water pearl earring studs 925 Sterling Silver ear posts & nuts $9.98 |
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17.5″ 6mm White Illusion Fresh Water Pearl Necklace 925 Sterling Silver Clasp $9.97 |
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Grey Freshwater Pearl Black Beads Illusion Necklace 17″ Strand Beaded Fashion $22.00 |
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9mmWhite Oval Fresh Water Pearl drop Earring 925 Sterling Silver Hooks & beads $9.98 |
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Charming Agate & Freshwater Pearl Neckalce Fashion N111 $16.99 |
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8mm Black,Pink & Peach FreshWater Pearl dangling Earring Sterling Silver Hooks $8.99 |
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noble 2 Rows black Freshwater Pearl women’s Necklace Shell flower clasp $0.01 |
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17-17.5″ Pink Fresh Water Pearl Illusion Necklace 925 Sterling Silver Clasp $9.99 |
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ELEGANT FRESHWATER PEARL NECKLACE &BRACELET #1720 $0.01 |
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8mm Black Fresh Water Pearl Dangle/ Drop Earring 925 Sterling Silver Fish Hooks $8.48 |
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8mm White Fresh Water Pearl drop Earring .925 Sterling Silver Hooks &Cap& beads $9.99 |
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Necklace Yellow Fresh Water Pearl 15 1/2″ – 17 1/2″ $8.99 |
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6.5-7.0mm Peach Pink Freshwater Pearl Stud Earrings Silver Post $7.00 |
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8590mm Gray Freshwater Pearl Stud Earrings Silver Post $8.00 |
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LOTUS JASPER FRESH WATER PEARLS NECKLACE/EARRINGS SET $9.99 |
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NEW WHITE & PEACH COLORED FRESHWATER PEARL BRACELET $299.99 |
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Freshwater Pearl and Crystal Tiara $38.5 Delicate headband of handwired freshwater pearl and crystals 58H |
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Freshwater Pearl Necklace 36” $80 36″, 6-6mm white freshwater pearl necklace. |
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6.5mm Freshwater Pearl and Diamond Pendant $339 65mm Freshwater Pearl and Diamond Pendant |
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Dyed Chocolate Freshwater Pearl Necklace $97 Dyed Chocolate Freshwater Pearl Necklace |
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CZ NEC1802 FRESHWATER WHITE PEARL NECK $48.88 FRESHWATER WHITE PEARL NECK |
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B0737 Freshwater Pearl Stretch Bracelet $26.5 Freshwater pearl Swarovski crystal 7 Long stretch |
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E2621 Freshwater Pearl Dangle Earrings $16.5 Freshwater pearl Swarovski crystal 118 Long |
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N4043 Freshwater Pearl Silver Necklace $39 Freshwater pearl lobster claw clasp 1518 Long |
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Freshwater Pearl and Swarovski Crystal Necklace N 8209 $139.5 Freshwater Pearl and Swarovski Crystal Necklace |
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Freshwater Pearl Rosary Bracelet $68.45 Freshwater Pearl Rosary Bracelet Simplistic and beautiful Sterling Silver Rosary Bracelet. Made with Freshwater Pearl and features a lobster clasp. Including the Miraculous Mary medal and Crucifix. Great gift for confirmation, other sacramental events or special occasions. Specifications: Sterling Silver, Freshwater Pearl, Polished, 3.21 DWT ( 4.99 grams) |
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E0126 Freshwater Coin Freshwater Pearl & Swarovski Crystal Earrings $18.5 Freshwater coin freshwater pearl & Swarovski crystal earrings |
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Freshwater Pearl Tin Cup Earrings $149 Freshwater Pearl Tin Cup Earrings in 14kt White Gold |
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B3011 Freshwater Pearl Flower Bracelet $36.5 Freshwater pearl white shells 9 Long 2 wide flowers |
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N2621 Freshwater Pearl Silver Necklace $36.5 Freshwater pearl Swarovski crystal lobster claw clasp 1412 17 Long |
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Freshwater Pearl Floral Tiara Comb $34.5 Freshwater pearl comb with rhinestone flower and rhinestone encrusted metal leaves 58H |
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6-6.5mm Freshwater Pearl Stud Earrings $129 6-6.5mm round white freshwater pearl stud earrings. Set in 10kt gold. |
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Freshwater Cultured Pearl Flower Earrings $119 5.5-6mm freshwater pearl/diamond flower earrings. Set in sterling silver. |
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7-7.5mm Freshwater Pearl Stud Earrings $149 7-7.5mm round white freshwater pearl stud earrings. Set in 10kt gold. |
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8-8.5mm Freshwater Pearl Stud Earrings $169 8-8.5mm round white freshwater pearl stud earrings. Set in 10kt gold. |
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Freshwater Cultured Pearl Flower Ring $119 6.5-7mm freshwater pearl/diamond flower ring. Set in sterling silver. |
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Freshwater Pearl Necklace $63 Celebrate simple grace with this ethereal freshwater pearl necklace. Eleven flawless, creamy freshwater pearls float on a smooth sterling silver chain. The style is honest and fresh, and just as appealing worn alone or in multiples. |
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Freshwater Pearl Bracelet $150 This freshwater pearl bracelet by Cordova is made from a sterling silver cable chain which connects to three elegant freshwater pearls. The bracelet sports a lobster claw clasp which will ensure it stays on the wrist and not on the floor. |
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Freshwater Pearl necklace $48 This freshwater pearl necklace features a strand of beautiful freshwater pearls that meet at the sterling silver clasp. It is the picture of elegance and boasts a timeless style that’s right for any place and any time. |
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Oval Sapphires and Freshwater White Pearl Pendant $349 Oval Sapphires and Freshwater White Pearl Pendant |
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Champagne Freshwater Pearl and Smokey Quartz Neck $229 Champagne Freshwater Pearl and Smokey Quartz Neckl |
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Oval Sapphire and Freshwater Pearl Drop Earrings $419 Oval Sapphire and Freshwater Pearl Drop Earrings |
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Onyx White Quartz and Freshwater Pearl Necklace $209 Onyx White Quartz and Freshwater Pearl Dangle Nec |
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7.5′ 6 7mm Pastel Freshwater Pearl Bracelets $47 75 6 7mm Pastel Freshwater Pearl Bracelets |
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17′ Freshwater Pearl Tin Cup Necklace $279 17 Freshwater Pearl Tin Cup Necklace |