There is a difference between cultured pearls that come from fresh water and from the ocean. Oysters that live in seawater have a small round shell bead inserted to stimulate nacre production (nacre is the material that creates the pearl). The rounded shape of the bead helps to produce the classic round pearl shape. If you are looking for seawater pearls, you should beware pearls that have been harvested too early. The nacre coating may be too thin and it will quickly wear away. If you have chosen a credible supplier, they should ensure their pearls have good nacre layers and have not been harvested early. Cultured pearls created in fresh water are made in freshwater mussels that have a small piece of 'mantle tissue' (nacre producing tissue from another mussel) inserted to stimulate pearl production. Freshwater pearls are solid pearl, but are rarely perfectly round. Freshwater cultured pearls also come in many beautiful colors.

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