http://www.theparadeofbrides.com/freshwater-pearl-2/
Freshwater Pearl
Tennessee is the home of the only freshwater pearl farm in North America. Pearls have long been recognized as a symbol of purity and their popularity has remained stable for centuries. Pearls for ornaments and jewelry are formed by oysters or mussels on farms found mostly in Japan, China, South Seas and of course in Tennessee. Freshwater pearls are rarely found naturally in the Tennessee washboard mussel. Most of the pearls are grown at the only culturing farm operation in North America at Birdsong Resort near Camden, Tennessee on the Tennessee River. The pearls are composed of concentric layers of a crystalline substance called nacre which is calcium carbonate. It is this nacre that gives the pearl its lustrous iridescence and accounts for must of the pearls’ beauty.
When we toured the Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm in May, we were lucky to have been escorted by Adrienne who is the designer of the freshwater pearl cabochons which her customers use as ornaments. She explained how the pearls take the shape of ornaments. Adrienne said that there are different methods of seeding the mussels for pearls and that the implant method is the most suitable for making freshwater pearl ornaments since it gives the pearl farmer the most options for shapes and sizes. The implant or seed is made of the same material as the mussel shell and can be shaped to any size prior to implanting and it is actually implanted in the mussel. A round implant causes a round pearl to be formed and a triangle implant in the mussel will form a triangle pearl.
It sounds more simple than it really is of course, because there is a 3-5 year wait after the mussel with the implant is moved to the farm in the Tennessee River while mother nature works her magic. It isn’t all magic however, because the mussels are closely monitored during this time for temperature and water quality and there are very few technicians that are skilled at implanting the seeds into mussels. It took many years before the Japanese technique of culturing pearls was successfully adapted to the Tennessee native waters and mussels, and 1984 was the first year that a productive harvest was turned. Thanks to the diligence of culturing farm founder John Latendresse, cabochons and jewelry or wearable ornaments can be viewed and purchased at moderate prices. If your interest is peaked, you can read more about the process of culturing freshwater pearls and perhaps even tour the Tennessee River Pearl Farm & Museum just off of I-40 in Tennessee.
Maggie Krafts is a writer for http://www.Ornaments.com and is part of the team that searches for ornaments around the world to display on The Ornaments Directory.
The Ornaments.com staff looks for new ornament designs worldwide and displays them on the Ornaments Directory and shares reviews and ornament artists interviews on the Ornaments.com blog at http://www.ornaments.com/blog
Is something called “freshwater pearl earrings” made of real pearls?
so in department stores i’ve seen stud earrings claiming to be “freshwater pearls”. i don’t mean to sound stupid, but a lot of them didn’t look like real pearls to me and looked more like fake plastic. are these actually real, naturally grown pearls?
Oh, yes, Mari, and it is NOT a stupid question. Freshwater pearls are one of my favorite jewelry types, BECAUSE of their imperfections. A traditional pearl is formed in a saltwater mollusk when a grain of sand or small pebble gets in the shell and becomes an irritant….and the mollusk secrets a liquid to coat the grain and make it hurt less…the secretions harden and turn into a smooth pearl… freshwater pearls are formed the same way in mussells that live in fresh-water ponds, rivers and lakes…and are becoming more common as jewlelry, as they are less expensive.
Those round, perfect pearls that are so expensive are harder to find, and are often cultured pearls, in which an oyster is “seeded” with a starter stone that is perfectly round, so that the ensuing secretions make a perfectly round pearl.
The best pearls have always come from Asia, though the fresh-water variety are being produced in other areas now.
Chinese Fresh Water Pearls
|
|
NWT Freshwater Pearl and Crystal Bridal Tiara with Dainty Wedding Jewelry Set $134.99 |
|
|
Freshwater Ivory Pearls Crystal Beach Wedding Necklace Earrings Bridal Jewelry $100.00 |
|
|
w Swarovski Austrian Crystal FRESHWATER White Pearl Sterling Silver Necklace NEW $58.00 |
|
|
~Floating Illusion w Swarovski CRYSTAL Freshwater PEARL Sterling Silver Necklace $45.00 |
|
|
~2 strands FRESHWATER PEARL Bridal Wedding prom jewelry Sterling Silver Necklace $89.00 |
|
|
~Freshwater White PEARL~ Bridal Wedding Jewelry Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace $50.00 |
|
|
Stunning Freshwater Pearl and Crystal Bridal Hair Comb and Wedding Jewelry Set $144.99 |
|
|
Vintage Handmade Swarovski crystal freshwater pearl side tiara $93.24 |
|
|
Bridal Bird Cage Veil Headpiece Rhinestones and Freshwater Pearls White Or Ivory $159.99 |
|
|
Gabbymac Fresh Water Pearl Gardenia Flower Hair Clip Fascinator NEW Pin Brooch $19.99 |
|
|
Austrian Crystal & Freshwater Pearl Bridal Jewelry Set $72.95 |
|
|
Freshwater Pearl & Austrian Crystal Bridal Bracelet $35.95 |
|
|
Freshwater Pearl & Austrian Crystal Bridal Bracelet $35.95 |
|
|
Clear Rhinestone & Freshwater Pearl Bridal Jewelry Set $67.95 |
|
|
CHAMPAGNE FRESHWATER PEARL BRACELET GIFT BOXED $18.17 |
|
|
Petite Cranberry Napkin Rings by Michael Michaud, Gold Over Copper with Cranberry Freshwater Pearls – Set of 4 $49.95 Set of 4 Petite Cranberry napkin rings with gold over copper and cranberry freshwater pearls…. |
|
|
JLM-12513 Freshwater Pearl MUSSEL Shells – legally protected in the UK Photo Mugs JLM-12513 Freshwater Pearl MUSSEL Shells – legally protected in the UK Margaritifera margaritifera John Mason Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way. contact details prints ardea tel and 44 (0) 20 8672 2067 …. |
|
|
Pearl Danio – side view Photo Mugs BB-905 Pearl Danio – side view Distribution freshwater South East Asia, tropical Brachydanio albolineatus Brian Bevan Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way. contact details prints ardea tel and 44 (0) 20 8672 2067…. |
|
|
Ivory Freshwater Pearl Flower & Rhinestone Drawer Pulls Ivory Freshwater Pearl Flower & Rhinestone Drawer Pulls by Country Cottage Add sparkle, shine and a timeless elegance to your furniture piece with this Pink Pearl Cluster Rhinestone Knob. These knobs will look amazing on a nightstand, vanity or desk in your little girl’s room. By combining old world inspiration and modern day quality, Country Cottage has been able to provide its customers with sup… |
|
|
ivory freshwater pearl cluster & rhinestone drawer knob Ivory Freshwater Pearl Cluster & Rhinestone Drawer Knob adds sparkle, shine and a timeless elegance to your furniture piece. These knobs will look amazing on a nightstand, vanity or desk in your little girl’s room. Country Cottage accessories and room decor items add that final touch to help create that magical ending. With a pinch of personalization and a hint of sparkle their accessories truly a… |
|
|
pink freshwater pearl cluster & rhinestone drawer knob Pink Freshwater Pearl Cluster & Rhinestone Drawer Knob has sparkle, shine and a timeless elegance to your furniture piece. These knobs will look amazing on a nightstand, vanity or desk in your little girl’s room. The magic is how you put it all together! No matter the room you are designing we truly believe there is a magical moment when the finishing touches all come together and create exactly t… |
|
|
Handmade Austrian Swarovski Crystals With Fresh Water Pearl Bracelet 0495 This beautiful bracelet is very elegant. It’s the perfect accessory for weddings, proms, pageants, birthdays or other special occasions…. |
|
|
Bath & Body Works Henri Bendel New York Wild Fig Cream Body Wash 1.7 fl oz Travel Size $12.00 Bath & Body Works Henri Bendel New York Wild Fig Cream Body Wash 1.7 fl oz Travel Size The quintessential dream clean. Tahitian Monoi Oil. Jobas Oil extracted from desert plants. Freshwater Pearls finely powdered. Nourishment and skin soothers. All to make you shower as luxurious as a bath. Fragrance by master perfumers…. |
|
|
1928 Bridal Silver Tone Crystal Simulated Freshwater Pearl Barrette $38.00 Not just for brides but for any woman who wishes to accent her tresses in stunning style. Cut in a design reminiscent of the glorious art deco patterns from the 1920′s, this vintage inspired design will make you shine…. |
|
|
Grandma’s Pearls Of Wisdom Heirloom Porcelain Music Box: Gift For Granddaughter by The Bradford Exchange $49.99 A grandmother’s wisdom and love for her granddaughter are more precious than any jewel. Now, you can uniquely share the benefits of your life lessons and show her how much she means to you with this beautiful Grandma’s Pearls of Wisdom Heirloom Porcelain® music box for granddaughter. This elegant musical ginger jar holds a whole year of messages from you, tucked inside a classic keepsake design y… |