Differentiate saltwater from freshwater pearls

[Freshpeachez]

I'm working my way through the Pearlsasone course, but I'm still unclear how to differentiate saltwater from freshwater pearls. Can anyone offer some tips?

 

[Pearl Dreams]

The question is too broad.

There are different kinds of saltwater pearls-- Akoyas, South Sea and Tahitians are 3 major examples.
And there are different kinds of freshwater pearls-- most are from China but there are also some from Japan (Kasumi).

If you have questions about the specific section of the course you are on, you can post a question below the chapter.

 

[Freshpeachez]

The question is too broad.

There are different kinds of saltwater pearls-- Akoyas, South Sea and Tahitians are 3 major examples.
And there are different kinds of freshwater pearls-- most are from China but there are also some from Japan (Kasumi).

If you have questions about the specific section of the course you are on, you can post a question below the chapter.

Thank you for the feedback.

What I want to know is how to visually tell the difference between fresh/salt water pearls when I'm looking at pearl jewelry.

I believe you responded to my post about potential Tahitian pearl strand necklaces and confirmed they were dyed freshwater pearls and I'm curious how you can tell that they are freshwater?

As I'm going through the course, it appears that both salt and fresh water pearls produce round, baroque, and semi-round shapes. So I'm guessing that you can't determine where it's grown based on the shape of the pearl alone.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

In the case of the pearls you thought were Tahitian (and were sold as such), the shapes and colors of the pearls indicated they were freshwaters (as we explained on that thread). For example, I mentioned typical ranges of colors for dyed FWP as opposed to Tahitians.

With experience, looking at lots of pearls, you will come to see the differences also. The Show Us Your Pearls In Action thread is great for this. Also look at photos of pearls on reputable selling websites. Kamoka and Pearl Paradise (just for 2 examples) have many photos of real Tahitian pearls.

As you realize, saltwater and freshwater pearls all have more and less lustrous pearls, shapes that are not necessarily round, and circled pearls are also common in both categories. They can have similar colors. It is not so easy to generalize, then, about how to tell the difference. It takes experience.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

I just want to add that it's always wise to buy pearls from trustworthy sources. That is the best way to avoid buying pearls that are not as advertised. Especially since the Chinese are now producing truly round bead-nucleated freshwater pearls.

I realize this may not be a fully satisfying answer. But keep on learning and you'll get better at it.

 

[SteveM]

In the 18 years I've been looking in here the quality of FW has so dramatically improved that visual distinctions are indeed challenging. Labs can differentiate the respective trace minerals (strontium/manganese ratio) which serves to discourage deception.

A (hopefully) tongue-in-cheek response to this question that popped up on a Reddit forum in a quick search:

'They just taste different.'

I wonder how long you have to keep them on your tongue?

 

[Freshpeachez]

I just want to add that it's always wise to buy pearls from trustworthy sources. That is the best way to avoid buying pearls that are not as advertised. Especially since the Chinese are now producing truly round bead-nucleated freshwater pearls.

I realize this may not be a fully satisfying answer. But keep on learning and you'll get better at it.

Thank you for your advice! I’m beginning to understand there’s no easy answer to my question and more experience will be my best bet.

I’m trying to solve this question as I’m going through the strands of pearls I’ve purchased at thrift stores.

I want to say most of these are saltwater, (except for the pink strand and maybe the white and turquoise one) but I honestly have no idea

 

[Freshpeachez]

In the 18 years I've been looking in here the quality of FW has so dramatically improved that visual distinctions are indeed challenging. Labs can differentiate the respective trace minerals (strontium/manganese ratio) which serves to discourage deception.

A (hopefully) tongue-in-cheek response to this question that popped up on a Reddit forum in a quick search:

'They just taste different.'

I wonder how long you have to keep them on your tongue?

I love this! I guess they would taste saltier?

Going through the course, I’m amazed at the advances in pearl culturing in such a short amount of time! The “new freshwater” section is what really got me questioning how do you tell the difference anymore?

 

[ennui]

I'd bet money the white strand with turquoise and apatite nuggets is Honora and was sold on QVC. So, freshwater.
The black pearls are freshwater, too. And the pink.
You learn by looking at a lot of pearls. Tahitian pearls look ... oily.

I once saw a single white South Sea pendant that was $4,000. I just stared, it was luminous.

 

[SteveM]

I love this! I guess they would taste saltier?

AI to the rescue!

"While strontium itself may not have a taste, it can be associated with salts that create a 'salty' taste, and it can be associated with 'hard' or saline water."

Coming from the wine business, never has there been a better case for mandatory spitting…

Others here are far more adept than I, but pending closer inspection my impression is that salty pearls are lacking among your strands.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

• The black and pink ones and the ones with blue beads are freshwater. The black are dyed.
• The first small strand is akoya. Nacre is not thick however and I see blemishes.
• The second white strand has low luster. Some of the pearls look elongated (which would be more typical of FWP) but I assume that is just distortion from the camera? If so they are likely akoya, but they have thin nacre hence the milky appearance.
• The white strand between the black and pink ones, not sure from those photos but I think freshwaters-- some of the ripply surfaces and one of the blemishes makes me think FWP. But I could be wrong; they could be yellowed akoyas without a lot of luster, if they are round and not elongated, as some of the pearls look. Take a closer look at the areas near the drill holes; is there any erosion-- can you see a bead inside?

Edited to add, Nope, really getting a FWP vibe from the 2 other white ones.
I think the only saltwater are the first white strand.

 

[Freshpeachez]

I'd bet money the white strand with turquoise and apatite nuggets is Honora and was sold on QVC. So, freshwater.
The black pearls are freshwater, too. And the pink.
You learn by looking at a lot of pearls. Tahitian pearls look ... oily.

I once saw a single white South Sea pendant that was $4,000. I just stared, it was luminous.

The only markings on the white and turquoise strand is “925” on the clasp. I just love all the different shapes of that strand!

I have yet to see a South Sea pearl in person, but I’d likely do the same thing!

 

[Freshpeachez]

• The black and pink ones and the ones with blue beads are freshwater. The black are dyed.
• The first small strand is akoya. Nacre is not thick however and I see blemishes.
• The second white strand has low luster. Some of the pearls look elongated (which would be more typical of FWP) but I assume that is just distortion from the camera? If so they are likely akoya, but they have thin nacre hence the milky appearance.
• The white strand between the black and pink ones, not sure from those photos but I think freshwaters-- some of the ripply surfaces and one of the blemishes makes me think FWP. But I could be wrong; they could be yellowed akoyas without a lot of luster, if they are round and not elongated, as some of the pearls look. Take a closer look at the areas near the drill holes; is there any erosion-- can you see a bead inside?

Edited to add, Nope, really getting a FWP vibe from the 2 other white ones.
I think the only saltwater are the first white strand.

That first white strand is the only one with a sterling silver clasp (besides the white and turquoise strand).

Here’s a close up of the second picture, middle strand. I can’t see a bead, but then again I might not recognize it even if there is one!

• The black and pink ones and the ones with blue beads are freshwater. The black are dyed.
• The first small strand is akoya. Nacre is not thick however and I see blemishes.
• The second white strand has low luster. Some of the pearls look elongated (which would be more typical of FWP) but I assume that is just distortion from the camera? If so they are likely akoya, but they have thin nacre hence the milky appearance.
• The white strand between the black and pink ones, not sure from those photos but I think freshwaters-- some of the ripply surfaces and one of the blemishes makes me think FWP. But I could be wrong; they could be yellowed akoyas without a lot of luster, if they are round and not elongated, as some of the pearls look. Take a closer look at the areas near the drill holes; is there any erosion-- can you see a bead inside?

Edited to add, Nope, really getting a FWP vibe from the 2 other white ones.
I think the only saltwater are the first white strand.

That first white strand is the only one with a sterling silver clasp (besides the white and turquoise strand).

Here’s a close up of the second picture, middle strand. I can’t see a bead, but then again I might not recognize it even if there is one

 

[Pearl Dreams]

They could be akoyas but they don't have much luster and no overtones. So either lower quality akoyas or FWP. Can't tell from photos.
What size are they?

And older akoya necklaces can have silver clasps.

 

[Freshpeachez]

They could be akoyas but they don't have much luster and no overtones. So either lower quality akoyas or FWP. Can't tell from photos.
What size are they?

And older akoya necklaces can have silver clasps.

First pictures is the questionable strand

Second picture is the strand with the sterling clasp

 

[Pearl Dreams]

So the 2nd white strand is about 7mm and is akoya, as is the first strand.
Thanks for the extra photos; they helped.

 

[Freshpeachez]

So the 2nd white strand is about 7mm and is akoya, as is the first strand.
Thanks for the extra photos; they helped.

Thank YOU so much for your time and help!! Now I have some comparison strands in my mind for when I go thrifting.