Three days ago, I posted a Pearl – Mystery post, challenging everyone to distinguish freshwater vs saltwater pearls in the picture. This little quiz has sparked quite some interest.
Some assume the top pearl is saltwater due to its sharper, mirror-like luster. But is it really so? When comparing two high-luster pearls, how do you tell which one has stronger luster? There’s a little trick: look at the edge clarity of the reflected patterns. You see, although the bottom pearl is generally darker in color, the edge of the reflected hand is clear without any blurring (especially when the picture is zoomed in so much), which is a sign of very strong luster. While modern freshwater pearls can also achieve mirror luster, the bottom pearl’s reflection sharpness rivals or even exceeds its counterpart.
Once we learned a rule that natural, undyed freshwater pearls could not have a black base. But look at the two pearls in the photo. They look almost the same in color, shape, size, and orient. Even many experienced pearlhands would struggle to tell them apart. So is the rule no more valid?
Despite their similarity, the top pearl is a freshwater Edison pearl of a new variety. The lower pearl is a high-quality Tahitian black pearl. Notice the base colors closely. The Tahitian pearl shows peacock greens, blues, and purples, but its base color is black. That black base gives it a deeper, more brooding look. The freshwater Edison pearls don’t have a true black base. Instead, it can show deep purple (like the Edison in the picture) or a deep blueberry base. So the rule stays valid, but we need to distinguish between a black base and a dark purple/ blueberry base.
Under a loupe, differences become clearer. Saltwater pearls generally have tighter nacre layers. That denser structure makes the surface smoother and the mirror-like shine sharper. Dense nacre also resists environmental wear better. Because of that, equal-quality saltwater pearls tend to hold their luster longer and make better heirloom pieces.
A crucial caveat: these points assume you compare pearls of equal quality — top-tier saltwater versus top-tier freshwater. In real shopping, budgets matter. Many buyers compare mid-grade saltwater pearls with high-grade freshwater pearls. In those cases, earlier advantages are not absolute.
Here is a striking fact: the two high-quality pearls in the photo differ in price by about three to four times. The rare freshwater Edison variety is uncommon; even I rarely find one, and I spend a lot of time in Zhuji. That rarity helps narrow the price gap, but most of the time, Tahitian black pearls remain much more expensive.
So what should you pick? If you want an heirloom with the deepest, longest-lasting mirror shine and you can afford it, a top-quality saltwater pearl often wins. If you love a unique color, want better value, or you desire a fresh aesthetic, a high-quality Edison freshwater pearl makes a beautiful and surprising choice.
Which side of the “freshwater vs saltwater pearls” divide do you favor?
👉 For a more comprehensive view, I posted a blog which covers freshwater vs saltwater pearl types, sources, colors, sizes, and pricing, as well as the booming Edison Pearls. Whether you’re new to pearls or just curious, this one-stop resource has all the basics covered. [Read the full guide]