Kasumiga Pearls and Biwa Pearls

Kasumiga and Biwa pearls are two types of pearls cultured in the freshwater lakes in Japan.

Kasumiga pearls are a new type of pearl harvested from the Kasumigara lake just north of Tokyo. These pearls are obtained from a mussel, which is a crossbreed between Japanese and Chinese freshwater mussels. Seeds inserted into mussel are mostly round or flat.

These pearls are large because the nucleus inserted is large. Kasumiga pearls have very unusual colors from purple to pink, and white to golden. Kasumiga is trademarked name, but these pearls are also called Kasumi pearls.

Biwa pearls are cultured in the Biwa Lake near Kyoto, Japan using freshwater mussels. They don’t have any regular shape, but they have very good color and luster. While culturing pearls, small, square Mother of Pearls are inserted instead of a seed. Biwa Lake is the largest and most ancient lake in Japan. Biwa Lake, actually, is the first site for culturing fresh water pearls.

The phrase, “Biwa pearls,” was once used to refer to all freshwater pearls. Biwa pearls a good reputation of high quality. Many times dealers use this term to impress buyers. Over harvesting and pollution caused extinction of these mussels. The production of these pearls is nearly standstill.

Coin Pearl Necklace

As the name depicts, Coin pearls are flat, and coin shaped. Coin shaped pearls have naturally perfect quality. It has exceptional luster and high quality. These coin shaped pearls are always in style!

Coin necklace has wide variety of shapes like rectangle, square, oval, and even heart shaped! These pearls come in a wide array of colors like white, black, light peacock blue and many more.

Coin pearls are versatile pearl beads they can be strung alone or you can combine them with beads or other crystals, you can have several designs by combinations of pearls with different shapes along with coin pearls. You can wear coin pearl necklaces for any occasion from casual to formal. If you don’t want complete pearl necklace, you can have just add a coin pearl pendant. Coin pearl pendants with silver or gold chains are definitely a must have. Since they are natural, the pearls on the necklaces can vary slightly.

You can wear coin pearl necklaces with a single strand or multiple strands. A matching set of a coin necklace, bracelet, and earrings really completes the classic look.

Keshi pearls

Our nature is full of mystery. A variety of artistic and abstract things is nurtured by our nature. Keshi pearl is one of the true gifts given by nature. These pearls are unique and their method of formation is also very different from the usual pearl harvesting. They are the known as the by-products of the usual pearl cultivation process.
There are two ways in which a Keshi pearl can be formed. In the first method the pearl is formed when the oyster spits out the nucleus, before its development, in rejection. In the second method the nucleus fractures and forms into two pearl sacs of circles of nacre without a nucleus.
Keshi pearls are also known as ‘poppy seed pearls’ or just ‘seed pearls’ because in Japanese Keshi means poppy seeds. These pearls can be cultured in both, freshwater as well as saltwater. Keshi pearls vary in sizes and are usually small. These pearls are very rare because as soon as an oyster expels its nucleus, it is re-nucleated, prohibiting the formation of Keshi pearls.
Keshi pearls have a unique bright luster and are uncommon in orient, since they are composed only of solid nacre. These features make Keshi pearls unique and desirable for jewelers for their fancy designs.
White Keshi pearls are very affordable. They have opalescence and are bright silvery in color with a great luster. They are usually 8x6mm in size. Large Keshi white pearls are also available. Their sizes vary from about 9.5-15mm in length (also available in 11-12mm lengths) to 7-9mm in width. They are cup shaped elongated pearls.
Green Keshi pearls are very small in size golden green in color. Usually drilled from the center and its lengths varies from 3.5-6mm and run 2.5-3mm on the drilled dimension. Pink Keshi pearls are 6-8mm in length and are available in lovely shades of pink. Similar are natural color Keshi pearls with lengths ranging from 7.5mm to 8.5mm.
Keshi pearls are also available in silver with a metallic base color. They carry a very high opalescent character with uniformity in size. They are 7-8mm long and about 5.5mm wide. Golden shades are also popular and rich in luster and about 7-9.5mm in size.
Keshi pearls are used in jewelry like earrings, bracelets, necklaces and decorative broaches. They were unknown to the market for many years, but now they are gaining popularity for their shape, color and luster.