freshwater pearl necklaces - their history and variety
Michael Scott
Typically, freshwater pearl necklaces can range in size from 6 to 11 mm. They also come in a variety of colors, such as pink, white, rose, black, lavender, off white, cream, silver, bronze, and gray.
They have very good quality, and due to the large scale production of cultured freshwater pearls, the costs of necklaces and other pearl jewelry has turn out to be much more affordable than previously.
Freshwater pearls are a type of cultured pearl that originates from freshwater mussels. They can be had in a variety of shapes, all the way from rice shapes and flat flakes, to round and button, and are recognized for their enhanced quality and shine.
As implied by the name, freshwater pearls are obtained from fresh waters, whereas saltwater pearls are obtained from salt water sources. The shiny substance which lines the cells of numerous mollusks, is a concretion which actually forms the pearls. This substance is called nacre, or mother-of-pearl.
Nacre is composed of a form of calcium carbonate, and this is deposited in layers which are interspersed with organic material. The iridescence and the luster of mother-of-pearl arises from a diffraction of light through these layers.
Today China is the principal commercial producer of freshwater pearls, although they are also produced on a limited scale in Japan and the United States.
>From the time of the discovery of the New World until the nineteenth century, the United States was also a principal producer of natural freshwater pearls and then the intense harvesting of the pearls plus more pollution, progressively reduced the amount of pearl-forming mussels which were obtainable.
The French and English colonizers and explorers of North America came across native Americans who were wearing pearls, and they also found freshwater pearls in the Ohio, Mississippi, and Tennessee River basins.
Freshwater pearl necklaces provide a more inexpensive alternative to the more pricey saltwater pearls, whilst still being an authentic pearl, and they can be a truly welcome gift.
You can find a selection of http://www.jewelryonoffer.com/Necklaces-and-Pendants/Freshwater-Pearl-Necklaces) Necklaces Made From Freshwater Pearls as well as other http://www.jewelryonoffer.com/Jewelry-and-Watches/Necklaces-and-Pendants) Necklaces and Pendants at JewelryOnOffer.com.
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