Freshwater pearls are pearls that (like the name already indicates) are grown in mussels that live in freshwater lakes, rivers or ponds. The culturing of freshwater pearls happens mainly in China.
Freshwater pearls come in a wide variety of shapes and colours. The average size of round freshwater pearls lies between 8 and 9 millimetre. But they can be as small as 2 millimetre and as large as 15 millimetre. The body colour can range from white to pink, lavender, reddish orange, grey and even silver. Different overtones like yellow and green can often also be seen.
Freshwater pearls are usually available in a more moderate price range than marine pearls, but that does not mean they are of lower quality. It simply means that the diversity of freshwater pearls makes it possible to create impressive jewellery at a more friendly price.