Clover (3 clover shape pearls)

Pearl category:  Freshwater pearl
Pearl quantity:  3 Clover and 1 Edison
Pearl shape:  Clover shape

Freshwater Pearl Mussels: The Prolucent Mollusks
Freshwater pearl mussels are bivalve mollusks that live in lakes, rivers, and ponds. They are one of the world's most important sources of pearls.

1. Primary Species and Origin
· Primary Species: The most common and economically important species is the Hyriopsis cumingii (commonly known as the triangle mussel).

· Primary Origin: China is the world's largest producer of freshwater pearls, accounting for the vast majority of global production. Other sources include Japan and the United States.

2. Cultivation Methods: From Non-Nucleated to Nucleated

Freshwater pearl cultivation techniques are very diverse, primarily divided into two types:

· Non-Nucleated Cultivation:
  · The traditional method involves implanting only a piece of mantle tissue into the mussel.
  · The mussel coats this tissue with nacre, forming a pearl that is completely solid nacre.
  · A single mussel can produce dozens of pearls, but the shapes are often baroque.
· Nucleated Cultivation:
  · A modern technique that mimics seawater pearl cultivation by implanting a round bead nucleus along with a piece of tissue.
  · This significantly increases the chance of producing perfectly round pearls.
  · The recent emergence of Edison pearls represents high-quality nucleated freshwater pearls, known for their large size, excellent roundness, strong luster, and vibrant colors.

3. Characteristics of the Pearls Produced

· Rich Color Palette: They possess a wide range of natural colors, including white, pink, lavender, orange (peach), and metallic hues.

· Excellent Luster: Due to their often thick nacre, they possess a deep and soft satiny luster.

· Diverse Shapes: Ranging from common baroque, button, and rice shapes to the prized round pearls.

· Wide Size Range: From tiny seed pearls to large pearls exceeding 15mm.

4. Value and Significance

With their high yield and diversity, freshwater pearl mussels have made pearls accessible beyond an unattainable luxury. They provide abundant materials for jewelry design, catering to preferences for uniquely shaped baroque pearls as well as round nucleated pearls that rival their seawater counterparts.