The price-value anomaly is obvious to consumers as they hasten to buy Chinese freshwater bargains. Indeed, pearls from freshwater mussels lie at the center of the liveliest activity in pearling today.

Before the development of plastic, buttons were made from mussel shells. Freshwater pearls are still cultured by inserting small pieces of native mussel shell into oysters. Mussels are fascinating ...

Chinese pearls came mainly from freshwater rivers and ponds, whereas Japanese pearls were found near the coast in salt water. Nearly all the pearls in commerce originated from those few sources.

The Pinctada maxima oyster can take up to five years to produce a single South Sea pearl, whereas more common freshwater oysters can take as little as three months and create dozens of pearls.

The largest Scottish freshwater pearl found in living memory is being auctioned, nearly six decades after its discovery. The Abernethy Pearl is expected to fetch between £40,000 and £60,000 when ...

From classic pearl studs to reimagined pearl pendants, the best jewellery is as timeless as it is trendy. Shop the best pearl ...