Designs and Photography
by David Trout

© 2007 Coffin and Trout

FRESHWATER PEARLS

Do you think of a popular breakfast cereal when Freshwater Pearls are mentioned? Think again.

Most people conjure up images of Rice Krispies, small size and lopsided shapes, when speaking of Freshwater Pearls. 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 increasing their shape and luster. Freshwater Pearls of today rival even the finest saltwater Akoya Pearl and can be substantially less expensive.

From the Escapade Collection

From the Apollo Collection

Saltwater mollusks have been the traditional source of Pearls but freshwater mussels, which live in ponds, lakes and rivers, can also produce Pearls. China has the first record mentioning pearls from 2206 BC and has been harvesting Freshwater Pearls in the form of Mabé since the 13th century. China has now become the world's undisputed leader in Freshwater Pearl production.

Natural Freshwater Pearls occur in mussels for the same reason that Saltwater Pearls occur in oysters. To culture freshwater mussels, workers slightly open their shells, cut small slits into the mantle tissue inside both shells, and insert small pieces of live mantle tissue from another mussel into those slits.

In freshwater mussels that insertion alone is sufficient to start nacre production. Most cultured Freshwater Pearls are composed entirely of nacre, just like their natural freshwater and natural saltwater counterparts. The Akoya, Tahitian, and South Sea Pearls are bead nucleated, which means a bead is inserted into the oyster instead of a piece of mantle tissue.

While most Freshwater Pearls used to be dyed, the new growing processes are celebrating their natural pastel colors. In beautiful lavenders, apricots, purples, pink and peaches, you are sure to find the perfect shade of Pearl. At Coffin and Trout, we have matched Freshwater Pearls to vibrant colored gemstones and complemented them with Tahitian Black Pearls. The possibilities are endless. Stop in and see why Coffin and Trout is in love with Pearls.