What Is The Difference Between Natural And Cultured Pearls? - GIA

Home » What Does Cultured Pearl Mean » What Is The Difference Between Natural And Cultured Pearls? - GIA

Maybe your like

Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between natural and cultured pearls?

Natural pearls grow in the wild without human intervention. They are very rare, and most natural pearls in the market today are antique. Cultured pearls are grown in pearl farms, and are the direct result of human intervention. The vast majority of pearls in the pearl/jewelry market are cultured pearls. Cultured pearls may be bead nucleated, tissue nucleated or otherwise non-bead cultured, and they are produced in both saltwater and freshwater mollusks.

Related FAQs

  • Are cultured pearls considered “real” pearls?
  • pearls
  • I have seen some very strongly and brightly colored pearls: are they naturally colored?
  • What are the main types of cultured pearls and what are their distinctive characteristics?

contact us

Toll Free

800-421-7250

Outside U.S. & Canada

760-603-4000 Contact Us

You Might Also Like

YMAL GIA Ed
Learn About Education On Campus and Online
learn more Learn About NextGem
GIA NextGem™Diamond Trainingfor Retail
Learn More Explore GIA Laboratory Promotional Offers
Explore GIA Laboratory Promotional Offers
Learn More Shop the GIA Store
Shop theGIA Store
Shop Now

Tag » What Does Cultured Pearl Mean