Meet the Different Types of Pearls

At first glance, a pearl is a pearl. But look closer and you’ll see four very different personalities. From the classic Akoya to the dramatic South Sea, the mysterious Tahitian to the playful Freshwater, each type brings its own story and style to jewelry.

Freshwater Pearls

Freshwater pearls are the most fun to play around with. They come in every shape, from tidy rounds to quirky baroques, and lend themselves to creative, modern designs. Unlike its three sisters, freshwater pearls come from rivers and lakes rather than the ocean. 

Fun fact: Freshwater pearls form faster than saltwater pearls, making them the most affordable of the bunch!

Akoya Pearls

The classic Japanese pearl. Small, round, and glowing with a mirror-like shine. They’re the ones you picture in a simple strand or a pair of elegant studs.

Fun fact: Akoya pearls were the first type ever cultured for jewelry, back in the early 1900s in Japan. 

South Sea Pearls

The queens of size. South Sea pearls, cultured in Australia and Southeast Asia, are the largest of all pearls. Big, luminous, and impossible to ignore, they range from satiny white to rich gold.

Fun fact: A single South Sea pearl can take up to five years to form, which is why they’re so rare and valuable.

Tahitian Pearls

Often called “black pearls,” Tahitians shimmer in shades of green, silver, and peacock. They feel bold and modern, with a natural edge that stands apart from the classics.

Fun fact: Tahitian pearls are the only naturally dark pearls in the world—their color comes from the black-lipped oyster.