Cultured Fresh Water Pearl

Birthstone: June Family: Organic gemstone Colour: White, cream, golden, pink, silver, grey, black Hardness: 2.5 –4.5 (as per Mohs hardness scale) Sources: China, Japan Interesting Facts: Pearls have been used in jewellery for 6000 years and in 2500BC a large pearl trade existed in China. The supply of natural pearls has been drastically depleted by pollution and the increase of nitrate levels in the water. An increasing demand for pearls has led to the creation of many cultured pearl farms and cultured pearls account for more than 90% of the total pearl trade. Cultured fresh water pearls are farmed in fresh water.