Pearl Beads
Every pearl bead here was grown inside a freshwater mussel, layer over layer of nacre — the luster comes from within, and each pearl takes its own shape. That irregularity is where pearl design is heading: baroque and keshi shapes lead the shift from bridal-only pearls into everyday and men’s jewelry. Pearl is the June birthstone, alongside moonstone.
For most of history the pearl was the rarest thing in the jewel box — Rome wore it as the mark of standing. Kokichi Mikimoto’s culturing changed that a century ago, and in the 1920s the farmers of Japan’s Lake Biwa carried the technique into fresh water, where pearls grew flat, stick-shaped, freeform. The biwa sticks, keshi, and baroques strung today descend from that break with the round pearl.
Pearls have long been read as symbols of purity, wisdom, and calm. They are traditionally tied to the crown chakra and said to carry a calming, protective presence — the composure a strand of pearls lends a person, lent to a design. A pearl is chosen when a piece is meant to speak of quiet elegance, and of things formed slowly and worn close.
Large Hole
Freshwater Pearl 8-9mm Pink/Purple Potato Large Hole Beads - 8 Inch
Original price
$22.00
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Original price
$22.00
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$22.00
$22.00
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$22.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
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Original price
$22.00
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Original price
$22.00
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$22.00
$22.00
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$22.00
Freshwater Pearl 2-3mm White Rice Pearls - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$26.00
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$26.00
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$26.00
$26.00
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$26.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$26.00
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Original price
$26.00
Original price
$26.00
$26.00
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$26.00
Large Hole
Freshwater Pearl 9mm White Potato Beads with 2mm Large Hole - 8 Inch
Original price
$28.00
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Original price
$28.00
Original price
$28.00
$28.00
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$28.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$28.00
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Original price
$28.00
Original price
$28.00
$28.00
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$28.00
Freshwater Pearl 2.5mm White Potato Pearls - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$26.00
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$26.00
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$26.00
$26.00
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$26.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$26.00
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Original price
$26.00
Original price
$26.00
$26.00
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$26.00
Large Hole
Freshwater Pearl 7-8mm Mix Potato Beads with 2mm Large Hole - 8 inch
Original price
$24.00
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$24.00
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$24.00
$24.00
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$24.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
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Original price
$24.00
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Original price
$24.00
Original price
$24.00
$24.00
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$24.00
Freshwater Pearl 5-6mm White Rice Nugget Beads - 15-16 Inch
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$39.00
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$39.00
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$39.00
$39.00
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$39.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
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Original price
$39.00
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Original price
$39.00
Original price
$39.00
$39.00
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$39.00
Freshwater Pearl 4-5mm White Rondelle Beads - 15-16 Inch
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$38.00
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$38.00
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$38.00
$38.00
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$38.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$38.00
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Original price
$38.00
Original price
$38.00
$38.00
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$38.00
Large Hole
Freshwater Pearl 9-10mm Silver Potato Beads with 2mm Large Hole - 8 Inch
Original price
$31.00
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$31.00
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$31.00
$31.00
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$31.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$31.00
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Original price
$31.00
Original price
$31.00
$31.00
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$31.00
Large Hole
Freshwater Pearl 10mm White Rice Beads with 2mm Large Hole - 8 Inch
Original price
$33.00
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$33.00
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$33.00
$33.00
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$33.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$33.00
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Original price
$33.00
Original price
$33.00
$33.00
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$33.00
Freshwater Pearl 7-8mm Light Gold Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
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$12.00
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$12.00
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$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$12.00
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Original price
$12.00
Original price
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Freshwater Pearl 4-5mm White Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$33.00
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$33.00
Original price
$33.00
$33.00
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$33.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$33.00
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Original price
$33.00
Original price
$33.00
$33.00
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$33.00
Freshwater Pearl 4mm White Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$33.00
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Original price
$33.00
Original price
$33.00
$33.00
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$33.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$33.00
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Original price
$33.00
Original price
$33.00
$33.00
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$33.00
Large Hole
Freshwater Pearl 10-11mm Mix Potato Beads with 2mm Large Hole - 8 Inch
Original price
$42.00
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$42.00
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$42.00
$42.00
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$42.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$42.00
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Original price
$42.00
Original price
$42.00
$42.00
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$42.00
Freshwater Pearl 4-5mm Peacock Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$17.00
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$17.00
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$17.00
$17.00
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$17.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$17.00
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Original price
$17.00
Original price
$17.00
$17.00
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$17.00
Freshwater Pearl 4mm Black Semi Round Beads - 15-16 Inch
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$14.00
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$14.00
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$14.00
$14.00
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$14.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$14.00
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Original price
$14.00
Original price
$14.00
$14.00
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$14.00
Freshwater Pearl 5mm Pink Rondelle Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$57.00
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Original price
$57.00
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$57.00
$57.00
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$57.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$57.00
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Original price
$57.00
Original price
$57.00
$57.00
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$57.00
Freshwater Pearl 8x10-20x25mm Biwa Stick Bead - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$49.00
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$49.00
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$49.00
$49.00
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$49.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$49.00
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Original price
$49.00
Original price
$49.00
$49.00
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$49.00
Freshwater Pearl Various Sizes White Baroque Beads - 3 Pack
Original price
$24.00
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$24.00
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$24.00
$24.00
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$24.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$24.00
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Original price
$24.00
Original price
$24.00
$24.00
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$24.00
Freshwater Pearl 2.5-3mm White Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$23.00
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Original price
$23.00
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$23.00
$23.00
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$23.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$23.00
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Original price
$23.00
Original price
$23.00
$23.00
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$23.00
Freshwater Pearl 11x13mm White Star Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$59.00
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Original price
$59.00
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$59.00
$59.00
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$59.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$59.00
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Original price
$59.00
Original price
$59.00
$59.00
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$59.00
SPECIAL PRICE Freshwater Pearl 7-9mm Dark Gold Irregular Button Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$5.00
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$5.00
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$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Freshwater Pearl 11-14mm Golden Brown Top Drilled Keshi Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$21.00
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Original price
$21.00
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$21.00
$21.00
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$21.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$21.00
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Original price
$21.00
Original price
$21.00
$21.00
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$21.00
Freshwater Pearl 7-9mm Golden Brown Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$12.00
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$12.00
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$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$12.00
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Original price
$12.00
Original price
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Freshwater Pearl 7-9mm Multi Color Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$12.00
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$12.00
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$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$12.00
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Original price
$12.00
Original price
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Freshwater Pearl 3-4mm Pink Rice Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$31.00
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Original price
$31.00
Original price
$31.00
$31.00
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$31.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$31.00
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Original price
$31.00
Original price
$31.00
$31.00
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$31.00
Freshwater Pearl 2.5-3mm Dark Pink Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$12.00
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Original price
$12.00
Original price
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$12.00
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Original price
$12.00
Original price
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Large Hole
Freshwater Pearl 9-12mm White Potato Large Hole Beads - 8-Inch
Original price
$34.00
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Original price
$34.00
Original price
$34.00
$34.00
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$34.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$34.00
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Original price
$34.00
Original price
$34.00
$34.00
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$34.00
SPECIAL PRICE Freshwater Pearl 5-7mm Copper Brown Irregular Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Freshwater Pearl 13-14x15-18mm White Flat Oval Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$49.00
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Original price
$49.00
Original price
$49.00
$49.00
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$49.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$49.00
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Original price
$49.00
Original price
$49.00
$49.00
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$49.00
Freshwater Pearl 7-9mm Light Purple Brown Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$12.00
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Original price
$12.00
Original price
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$12.00
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Original price
$12.00
Original price
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Large Hole
Freshwater Pearl 9mm Copper Rice Beads with 2mm Large Hole - 8 Inch
Original price
$26.00
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Original price
$26.00
Original price
$26.00
$26.00
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$26.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$26.00
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Original price
$26.00
Original price
$26.00
$26.00
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$26.00
Freshwater Pearl 5mm Peacock Top Drilled Rice Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$44.00
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Original price
$44.00
Original price
$44.00
$44.00
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$44.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$44.00
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Original price
$44.00
Original price
$44.00
$44.00
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$44.00
Freshwater Pearl 4-5mm Light Pink Rice Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$35.00
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Original price
$35.00
Original price
$35.00
$35.00
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$35.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$35.00
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Original price
$35.00
Original price
$35.00
$35.00
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$35.00
Freshwater Pearl 4-4.5mm White Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$27.00
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Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
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$27.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$27.00
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Original price
$27.00
Original price
$27.00
$27.00
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$27.00
Freshwater Pearl 6-7mm White Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$34.00
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Original price
$34.00
Original price
$34.00
$34.00
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$34.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$34.00
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Original price
$34.00
Original price
$34.00
$34.00
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$34.00
SPECIAL PRICE Freshwater Pearl 5-7mm Peacock Irregular Button Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Freshwater Pearl 11-14mm Blue Top Drilled Keshi Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$21.00
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Original price
$21.00
Original price
$21.00
$21.00
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$21.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$21.00
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Original price
$21.00
Original price
$21.00
$21.00
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$21.00
Large Hole
Freshwater Pearl 5-6mm White Potato Large Hole Beads - 8 Inch
Original price
$29.00
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Original price
$29.00
Original price
$29.00
$29.00
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$29.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$29.00
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Original price
$29.00
Original price
$29.00
$29.00
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$29.00
Freshwater Pearl 11-14x15-17mm 5 Color Mix Flat Oval Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$39.00
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Original price
$39.00
Original price
$39.00
$39.00
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$39.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$39.00
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Original price
$39.00
Original price
$39.00
$39.00
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$39.00
Freshwater Pearl 10-12x10-15mm 5 Color Mix Baroque Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$29.00
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Original price
$29.00
Original price
$29.00
$29.00
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$29.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$29.00
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Original price
$29.00
Original price
$29.00
$29.00
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$29.00
Freshwater Pearl 10-12x10-15mm 4 Color Mix Baroque Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$29.00
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Original price
$29.00
Original price
$29.00
$29.00
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$29.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$29.00
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Original price
$29.00
Original price
$29.00
$29.00
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$29.00
Freshwater Pearl 5-8mm Golden Brown Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$11.00
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Original price
$11.00
Original price
$11.00
$11.00
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$11.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$11.00
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Original price
$11.00
Original price
$11.00
$11.00
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$11.00
Freshwater Pearl 8-9mm Purple Brown Coin Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$13.00
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Original price
$13.00
Original price
$13.00
$13.00
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$13.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$13.00
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Original price
$13.00
Original price
$13.00
$13.00
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$13.00
Freshwater Pearl 4x6-9x19mm White Keshi Rice Bead
Original price
$46.00
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Original price
$46.00
Original price
$46.00
$46.00
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$46.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$46.00
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Original price
$46.00
Original price
$46.00
$46.00
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$46.00
Freshwater Pearl 2-2.5mm Burgundy Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$12.00
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Original price
$12.00
Original price
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$12.00
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Original price
$12.00
Original price
$12.00
$12.00
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$12.00
Freshwater Pearl 3.5-3mm Brown Potato Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$13.00
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Original price
$13.00
Original price
$13.00
$13.00
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$13.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$13.00
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Original price
$13.00
Original price
$13.00
$13.00
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$13.00
SPECIAL PRICE Freshwater Pearl 5-6mm Golden Brown Irregular Button Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$5.00
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Original price
$5.00
Original price
$5.00
$5.00
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$5.00
Freshwater Pearl 7-12mm Blue Top Drill Keshi Beads - 15-16 Inch
Original price
$7.00
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Original price
$7.00
Original price
$7.00
$7.00
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$7.00
Unlike most gemstones found within the Earth, pearls are organic. Simply, they grow inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams. Some...
View full details
Original price
$7.00
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Original price
$7.00
Original price
$7.00
$7.00
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$7.00
Grown in freshwater, layered in nacre
Every pearl here is a cultured freshwater pearl, grown inside a mussel and built up from layers of nacre — the same material that lines the shell. That layering is what gives a real pearl its depth of luster: light comes back from beneath the surface. Each pearl carries its own slight variation in shape and tone, and a strand is matched within a stated size range — the variation is the signature of the material.
Baroque to button, natural to dyed
Shape does the design work here. Baroque pearls carry a piece on their own; keshi are solid nacre with a crumpled, petal-like surface; potato and rice pearls run small and build full strands economically; buttons sit flat for earrings. Natural freshwater color is a soft, narrow range — cream, white, pink, occasional gray — and white strands are typically bleached to even the tone. Peacock, teal, copper, and black are dyed, and every dyed strand says dyed in its title.
Pick your size and cut
Freshwater pearls run 2.5mm to 12mm here, from fine potato and rice strands to statement baroques. Large-hole pearls are drilled wide for leather and heavier cord, and the 8-inch large-hole strands are cut for bracelet work. Pearls sit at Mohs 2.5–4.5, the gentlest material in the catalog: wipe with a soft damp cloth after wear, put them on after perfume and hairspray, and store them apart from harder stones. They sit naturally beside the other organics — shell and coral.
About this stone
Color
WhiteCreamPeachPinkLavenderGoldBlack
Origin
ChinaJapanUSA (freshwater)TahitiAustralia
Mohs hardness
2.5–4.5
Treatment categories
NaturalDyedBleachedNucleated
Industry-standard treatment
Cultured (nucleated) pearls dominate the trade; freshwater pearls grow without nucleus; color enhancement by dye or irradiation is common for non-natural colors
Mineral chemistry
Calcium carbonate (aragonite) in concentric layers around an organic conchiolin nucleus
Crystal system
Orthorhombic
Stone family
Organic
Birthstone
June
Common cuts
PotatoRoundCoinStickKeshi
Common sizes
4mm6mm8mm10mm
Care notes
Soft (Mohs 2.5–4.5) and porous. Avoid ultrasonic, steam, perfumes, hairspray, cosmetics, sweat; wipe with damp cloth after wear and store separately from harder stones.
Related stones
Mother of Pearl, Shell, Coral, Abalone
Frequently asked questions
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Are these pearls real?
Yes — every pearl in our catalog is a real freshwater pearl, produced by a freshwater mussel through the natural process of depositing nacre (calcium carbonate aragonite plus the protein conchiolin) in layers around a seed graft. Nearly all freshwater pearls in the global bead trade are cultured, meaning the mussels are tended on pearl farms and seeded with a mantle-tissue graft to initiate the process. Cultured pearls are real pearls — the nacre, the chemistry, and the luster are the same as the rare natural article. The cultured-vs-natural distinction matters for collectors of antique jewelry; in the bead trade, cultured is the default. -
Are pearls dyed?
Often, yes. The natural color range of freshwater pearls is narrow: cream, soft white, soft pink, soft peach, soft lavender, and occasional natural gray. Most white pearls are also bleached as a standard processing step. Saturated colors — peacock, copper, chocolate, vivid pink, vivid purple, true black — are produced by dye. The dye is generally stable under normal wear but pearls are more sensitive than mineral varieties to perfume, harsh chemicals, and prolonged sun exposure. Treatment should be disclosed — ask before buying if a strand doesn't specify. -
What's the difference between rice, potato, keshi, and baroque pearls?
Shape vocabulary is the buying axis for pearls. Rice pearls are elongated ovals, narrower at the ends; potato pearls are small irregular shapes used as budget-friendly workhorses; keshi pearls are seedless free-form pearls with the highest nacre-to-volume ratio and intense luster; baroque pearls are large free-form shapes used as focal beads. Round is the premium shape; everything else trades nacre coverage and price-per-millimeter against the irregularity of the form. Each shape has a distinct visual register — designers shop pearls by shape first, then color, then size. -
How durable are pearls for daily wear?
Pearls are Mohs 2.5–4.5 — the softest material in our catalog. They are wearable for everyday jewelry with appropriate care: wipe with a soft damp cloth after wear, store separately from harder beads to avoid scratching the nacre, and avoid contact with perfume, hairspray, household cleaners, ultrasonic and steam cleaning, and prolonged sun exposure. For strung necklaces and bracelets, knot between pearls so they don't wear at the drill holes from rubbing against each other. -
What sizes do pearl beads come in?
Pearl sizes are given as ranges — pearls are organic and each one is its own shape, so a strand is graded to a tolerance. The line centers on 2.5mm to 12mm: potato and rice pearls at the fine end, rounds and buttons through the middle, baroque and keshi at the statement end, with large-hole and 8-inch bracelet strands alongside. Assortment rotates as lots sell through and restock; the size range itself is stable.