Freshwater Pearl

Basic Knowledge

Freshwater pearls are a kind of pearl that comes from freshwater mussels. They are produced in Japan, China, and the United States.

Freshwater pearls come in various pastel shades of white, black, pink, peach, lavender, plum, purple, and tangerine, depending on the type of mussel.

A single mussel can produce up to 50 pearls. While saltwater pearl-bearing oysters are nucleated in a small organ known as the gonad, freshwater mussels are nucleated in the actual mantle tissue. Each side of this bi-valve can handle up to 25 nucleations at one time.

Throughout history, pearls have held a unique presence within the wealthy and powerful. For instance, the pearl was the favored gem of the wealthy during the Roman Empire. This gift from the sea had been brought back from the orient by the Roman conquests. Roman women wore pearls to bed so they could be reminded of their wealth immediately upon waking up.American Indians also used freshwater pearls from the Mississippi River as decorations and jewelry. Freshwater pearls tend to be very irregular in shape, with a puffed rice appearance the most prevalent.

The Southeast is home to the greatest biodiversity of freshwater pearl-producing mollusks in the country. In fact, the Tennessee River and Mobile River basins have more species of freshwater mollusks than anywhere else on the planet. Throughout history – from prehistoric times to the commercial pearl harvesting of today – mollusks and the beautiful gems they are capable of producing have been a sought-after commodity in Southeastern rivers.

 

Bardic Knowledge

DC	Things Known
10 -Common
20-Uncommon
30-Obscure
40-Very Obscure

Rare Uses and Items

 

 

 

 

 

 

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