Various Variety of Pearl

These exquisite and alluring gems grow in pearl oysters and are prized for their layers of lustrous, iridescent coating called nacre. Today, over 95% of pearls are "cultured," which means they do not appear naturally but are grown and harvested. A bead is implanted in the mollusk, spurring the growth of nacre. Angara offers four varieties of beautiful pearls:

Freshwater - Cultivated in mollusks in lakes, rivers and ponds, most freshwater pearls come from China. While they look very similar to Akoyas, they are often smaller and less symmetrical - but they can be a very attractive and affordable alternative.

Akoya - These classic pearls come from the Akoya saltwater oyster, which is grown in Japan and China. The best color is white with rose overtones.

Tahitian - Dramatic and unique, these large pearls come in unique shades of black, silver, gray, green, gold and purple. They are a product of the black-lipped oyster in French Polynesia.

White South Sea - Larger than Akoya or freshwater pearls, these exceptional versions come from the white-lipped grown in Southeast Asia and French Polynesia. The best color is white with silver overtones.

Remember:

The more layers of nacre a pearl has, the more luster. Since a larger pearl has more layers, it makes sense that it would typically have more nacre.

The smoother the pearl, the more valuable.The finest pearls have hardly any bumps, pits or wrinkles - although since they come from nature, all pearls will have some surface characteristics.

Round is the classic.Pearls come in a variety of shapes, including teardrop and various assymetrical options. But the classic round shape - like Audrey Hepburn wore in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" - is the most sought-after.