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Pearls can be divided into saltwater and
freshwater varieties, and account for over 95% of world production.
Typically, saltwater pearls are rounder and more expensive than freshwater
pearls but the freshwater pearls are cultured in a huge variety of shapes
and colours, adding more interest and versatility. For freshwater pearls,
a nucleus of shaped mantle (mollusc tissue that secretes nacre) from
another mollusc is introduced into a mussel. The shape of the inserted
mantle tissue determines to some extent the final shape of the pearl.
However, it is the mollusc that makes the final shaping decision and man
cannot change that! Freshwater pearls are grown in mussels, each of which
can grow between 10 to 20 pearls. |
