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China Freshwater
Pearl
The
quality of Chinese Freshwater pearls has been steadily
improving since 1991, thanks to better cultivation
techniques and a more widespread use of the sankaku
mussel. At
the end of 1992, semi-round Chinese freshwater pearls
made their appearance on the market and now offer an
attractive, lower priced alternative to the round Akoya
pearls.
The
general term for any pearl cultivated in a lake, pond or
river area is freshwater cultured pearl.
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Price Factors
The grading of
freshwater pearls is more variable than that of
saltwater pearls.
Nevertheless, there is agreement about certain
value factors.
Freshwater pearls are generally valued according
to the following criteria:
LUSTER
The
higher and more even the luster, the greater the value.
In high-quality freshwater pearls, there is an evenly
distributed luster and a high contrast between the light
and dark areas of the pearls.
When
judging freshwater pearls for luster, examine them on a
white background and be sure to roll them so you can see
their entire surface area. It is important
that your eye become sensitive to luster variations
because luster is one of the most important determinants
of value in pearls of all types.
SMOOTHNESS
Then
smoother the pearl, the more valuable it is. Even though
bumpy, wrinkled surfaces can lower the value of
freshwater pearls, the bumps and wrinkles are not
considered flaws.
SIZE/WEIGHT
Freshwater pearl prices are
generally quoted by weight or by the strand. The gram is
probably the most common unit of weight used at the
retail level, some dealers quote prices according to
carat weight.
The measurements of pearls are often listed along
with their weight as an additional description and means
of identification.
The size of round freshwater pearls may be
expressed by their diameter, measured in
millimeters.
SHAPE
Usually
the more round a pearl is, the greater its value. Large
high-quality, baroque shapes can command high prices and
make distinctive jewelry pieces.
Since
1992, a lot of semi-round (off-round) and ovalish
freshwater pearls have become available. Often they are
described as potato, corn and pea shapes. These pearls can
be used to make impressive looking jewelry pieces that
sell for moderate prices.
COLOUR
Freshwater pearls come in a
wide variety of body colours white, pink, orange,
yellow, lavender, gray, bronze; some pearls are even
bi-coloured.
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