Frequently asked questions

• Are these freshwater or saltwater pearls?

  Most pearl strands in the bead trade are freshwater cultured pearls, typically farmed in China and increasingly Japan and the USA. Saltwater types — Akoya, Tahitian, South Sea — are less common at bead-strand price points and are usually identified explicitly when stocked. The specific pearl type, origin, and whether the pearls are nucleated (bead-cored) or tissue-nucleated should be disclosed; ask before buying if it isn't specified. Freshwater pearls tend to be more irregular in shape (rice, potato, baroque) and offer the widest natural color range, while Akoya pearls are rounder and more uniform.
• What does dyed or bleached mean for pearls?

  Almost all commercial pearls are bleached to even out the natural body color, and many are then dyed to achieve peacock, black, gold, pink, or other fashion shades that don't occur naturally at scale. Bleaching is considered routine and stable. Dye penetrates the nacre layers and is generally colorfast under normal wear, but prolonged exposure to UV, sweat, perfume, or solvents can shift or fade color over time. Treatment status should be disclosed; ask before buying if it isn't specified. For undyed natural-color pearls, expect white, cream, peach, lavender, and gray tones.
• How should I care for finished jewelry using pearls?

  Pearls are soft (Mohs 2.5–4.5) and porous, so they need more care than most gemstones. Skip ultrasonic and steam cleaning entirely — both can damage nacre. Apply perfume, hairspray, lotion, and cosmetics before putting jewelry on, and wipe pearls with a soft damp cloth after wear to remove skin oils and sweat, which are acidic enough to etch the surface over time. Store pearls separately from harder stones and metal findings to prevent surface abrasion. Knotted silk between beads is standard for pearl strands — it protects each pearl from rubbing against its neighbors.
• What jewelry projects do pearls work best in?

  Pearls excel in necklaces, bracelets, and earrings where they're not taking repeated impact — their softness rules them out for ring centers in daily-wear pieces. Classic strands, multi-strand torsades, and bridal designs are the obvious uses, but rice and baroque shapes also work well in mixed-media bohemian and organic-feel pieces. Pearls pair naturally with sterling silver, gold-fill, and 14k findings; they also bridge well to softer-tone gemstones like rose quartz, moonstone, labradorite, and aquamarine. Smaller sizes (4–6mm) suit delicate layering, while 7–10mm reads as a more substantial focal.
• How do I tell pearls from shell, mother of pearl, or imitation?

  Mother of pearl and shell beads are cut and shaped from mollusk shell — they share the same nacre material as pearls but are machined into rounds, coins, or other shapes rather than grown as whole beads. Shell pearls (sometimes called "shell-based pearls") are coated shell cores designed to mimic round pearls and should be labeled as such. True cultured pearls show subtle surface irregularities, slight variation between beads in a strand, and an inner glow from layered nacre rather than a uniform painted finish. the listing should specify pearl type and any coating or core construction; ask before buying if it isn't clear.