What are the differences between freshwater and saltwater pearls?

Although the two types of pearl have very similar appearances they come from two very different sources. Freshwater pearls are created within freshwater mussels living in lakes, rivers or ponds. Saltwater pearls are grown in oysters found in bodies of saltwater. Saltwater pearls are more commonly used in making pearl jewelry.

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An advantage that freshwater pearls posses is the no bead is inserted into the oyster, as in seawater pearls, thus the generated pearl is 100% pearl. Freshwater pearls also come in a wider variety of color and shape than the saltwater counterparts.

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