--- title: "How Do the Main Types of Pearls Compare?" description: "Side-by-side comparisons of Akoya, freshwater, South Sea and Tahitian cultured pearls, and of natural vs cultured and saltwater vs freshwater pearls." canonical_url: "https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/" last_updated: "2026-11-04" last_reviewed: "2026-10-26" reviewed_by: "Simon" publisher: "Unique Pearl" publisher_disclosure: "Learn About Pearls is published by Unique Pearl, a pearl jeweler." --- # How Do the Main Types of Pearls Compare? **Short answer:** The main cultured pearl types differ in the mollusk that grows them, the water it lives in, and how long the pearl grows. Akoya pearls are small, round saltwater pearls. Freshwater pearls come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colors and cost the least. South Sea pearls are the largest, and Tahitian pearls are the dark pearls of French Polynesia. Each comparison here sets two of them side by side. Most questions about pearl types come down to a few differences: the [mollusk](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#mollusk), the water, how the pearl is grown, and what it looks like and costs. The table sets the four main [cultured pearl](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#cultured-pearl) types side by side, using the Learn About Pearls dataset. To choose your own types and rows, [keshi](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#keshi) included, use [compare pearl types](https://learnaboutpearls.com/tools/compare-pearl-types/). | Feature | Akoya cultured pearl | Freshwater cultured pearl | South Sea cultured pearl | Tahitian cultured pearl | | ------------ | --------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------ | | Water | saltwater [1, 2] | freshwater [3, 4] | saltwater [2, 4] | saltwater [2, 4] | | Typical size | 6–8 mm [2, 5, 6, 7, 8] | 3–15 mm [2, 8] | 9–16 mm [2, 7, 8] | 8–14 mm [2, 7, 8, 9] | | Shapes | round, near-round, semi-baroque and baroque [5, 8] | round, near-round, oval, coin and baroque [2, 8, 10] | round, oval, button, drop, circled and baroque [2, 8] | round, oval, button, drop, circled and baroque [2, 8] | | Growing time | 6–36 months (typically 10 to 14 months) [5, 7, 8] | 1–5 years (depending on the culture method and mussel) [10, 11, 12] | 1–3 years (two to three years in Australia and the Philippines) [8, 13] | 18–24 months [8, 9] | ## What separates one pearl type from another - **One pearl or many.** [Akoya](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#akoya) and [South Sea cultured pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#south-sea-cultured-pearl) grow in the oyster’s [gonad](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#gonad), one pearl at a time. [Freshwater pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#freshwater-cultured-pearl) grow in the mussel’s [mantle](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#mantle), where each of its two mantle lobes can take up to 20 [grafts](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#graft), so one mussel usually yields more than 10 pearls. [11] - **Size.** The oyster that grows South Sea cultured pearls is larger than the one that grows Japanese saltwater cultured pearls, which gives it the potential for larger pearls. [14] - **Nacre.** South Sea cultured pearls owe their large size and thick [nacre](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#nacre) to a long growth period. [4] - **Price.** GIA calls freshwater cultured pearls the most affordable pearl type, and says Akoya cost more than freshwater cultured pearls of similar size and quality. [1] ## Natural, cultured and imitation Two comparisons cut across every type. A [natural pearl](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#natural-pearl) forms with no human help, while a cultured pearl starts when a person places a bead or tissue in the mollusk. [4] An [imitation pearl](https://learnaboutpearls.com/glossary/#imitation-pearl) is a manufactured product that only looks like a pearl. [15] The page [real vs imitation pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/real-vs-imitation-pearls/) compares them. The page [natural vs cultured pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/natural-vs-cultured-pearls/) explains the first difference, and [saltwater vs freshwater pearls](https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/saltwater-vs-freshwater-pearls/) covers the water a pearl grows in. Each comparison ends with the reasons to choose one type or the other, without naming any seller. ## Start here 1. [Natural vs cultured](https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/natural-vs-cultured-pearls/) 2. [Real vs imitation](https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/real-vs-imitation-pearls/) 3. [Saltwater vs freshwater](https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/saltwater-vs-freshwater-pearls/) 4. [Akoya vs freshwater](https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/akoya-vs-freshwater-pearls/) 5. [Akoya vs South Sea](https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/akoya-vs-south-sea-pearls/) 6. [South Sea vs Tahitian](https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/south-sea-vs-tahitian-pearls/) ## Every page in this section - [Natural vs cultured](https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/natural-vs-cultured-pearls/) How pearls that formed on their own differ from pearls that people started. - [Saltwater vs freshwater](https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/saltwater-vs-freshwater-pearls/) How pearls from saltwater oysters differ from pearls grown in freshwater mussels. - [Akoya vs freshwater](https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/akoya-vs-freshwater-pearls/) How the classic saltwater Akoya differs from freshwater cultured pearls. - [Akoya vs South Sea](https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/akoya-vs-south-sea-pearls/) How the small, classic Akoya pearl differs from the large South Sea pearl. - [South Sea vs Tahitian](https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/south-sea-vs-tahitian-pearls/) How the large white and golden South Sea pearl differs from the dark Tahitian pearl. - [Real vs imitation](https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/real-vs-imitation-pearls/) How pearls grown by mollusks differ from manufactured imitations, and how to tell them apart. ## References 1. Phoebe Shang (2026). Freshwater Akoyas – A Trending Misnomer for Certain Freshwater Pearls. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/freshwater-akoyas-a-trending-misnomer-for-certain-pearls) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260617073835/https://www.gia.edu/freshwater-akoyas-a-trending-misnomer-for-certain-pearls) 2. Gemological Institute of America (GIA), FAQ. What are the main types of cultured pearls and what are their distinctive characteristics?. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/FAQ/gia-faq-about-gemstones-cultured-pearl-types-characteristics) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260510233833/https://www.gia.edu/FAQ/gia-faq-about-gemstones-cultured-pearl-types-characteristics) 3. CIBJO, The World Jewellery Confederation, Pearl Commission (2026). The CIBJO Pearl Book (Pearl Blue Book) 2026. [Source](https://cibjo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Pearl-Blue-Book-2026-.pdf) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261025235254/https://cibjo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Pearl-Blue-Book-2026-.pdf) 4. Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Gem Encyclopedia. Pearl Description. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/pearl-description) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261017085317/https://www.gia.edu/pearl-description) 5. Areeya Manustrong (2018). Very Small Akoya Cultured Pearls. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/spring-2018-gemnews-very-small-akoya-cultured-pearls) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260508145843/https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/spring-2018-gemnews-very-small-akoya-cultured-pearls) 6. Artitaya Homkrajae (2024). Remarkably Large Akoya Bead Cultured Pearls. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/summer-2024-gemnews-large-akoya-bead-cultured-pearls) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261025235607/https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/summer-2024-gemnews-large-akoya-bead-cultured-pearls) 7. Fisheries Agency of Japan (水産庁) (2026). 真珠養殖をめぐる情勢について (On the situation of pearl culture). [Source](https://www.jfa.maff.go.jp/j/saibai/attach/pdf/shinju-60.pdf) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261026000052/https://www.jfa.maff.go.jp/j/saibai/attach/pdf/shinju-60.pdf) 8. CIBJO Pearl Commission (2025). CIBJO Guides Describing and Classifying Natural and Cultured Pearls, the Producing Molluscs & Responsible Pearling. [Source](https://cibjo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Final-Guide-October-2025-v2-COMPRESSED.pdf) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260212155210/https://cibjo.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Final-Guide-October-2025-v2-COMPRESSED.pdf) 9. Oïhana Latchere and others (2018). Influence of water temperature and food on the last stages of cultured pearl mineralization from the black-lip pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera. [Source](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0193863) · DOI [10.1371/journal.pone.0193863](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0193863) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260905233729/https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0193863) 10. Shigeru Akamatsu, Li Tajima Zansheng, Thomas M. Moses and Kenneth Scarratt (2001). The Current Status of Chinese Freshwater Cultured Pearls. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/summer-2001-chinese-freshwater-cultured-pearls-akmatsu) · DOI [10.5741/GEMS.37.2.96](https://doi.org/10.5741/GEMS.37.2.96) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260814013828/https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/summer-2001-chinese-freshwater-cultured-pearls-akmatsu) 11. Changbo Zhu, Paul C. Southgate and Ting Li (2019). Production of Pearls. [Source](https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-96776-9_5) · DOI [10.1007/978-3-319-96776-9_5](https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96776-9_5) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20240129152149/https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-96776-9_5) 12. Doug Fiske and Jeremy Shepherd (2007). Continuity and Change in Chinese Freshwater Pearl Culture. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/dam/migrated-assets/docs/doc1/Continuity-and-Change-in-Chinese-Freshwater-Pearl-Culture.pdf) · DOI [10.5741/GEMS.43.2.138](https://doi.org/10.5741/GEMS.43.2.138) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261025235652/https://www.gia.edu/dam/migrated-assets/docs/doc1/Continuity-and-Change-in-Chinese-Freshwater-Pearl-Culture.pdf) 13. Artitaya Homkrajae, Nanthaporn Nilpetploy, Areeya Manustrong, Nicholas Sturman, Kwanreun Lawanwong and Promlikit Kessrapong (2021). Internal Structures of Known Pinctada maxima Pearls: Cultured Pearls from Operated Marine Mollusks. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/fall-2021-internal-structures-pinctada-maxima-pearls) · DOI [10.5741/GEMS.57.3.186](https://doi.org/10.5741/GEMS.57.3.186) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260420034834/https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/fall-2021-internal-structures-pinctada-maxima-pearls) 14. Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Gem Encyclopedia. Pearl Quality Factors. [Source](https://www.gia.edu/pearl-quality-factor) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20261016075647/https://www.gia.edu/pearl-quality-factor) 15. U.S. Federal Trade Commission (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations). 16 CFR Part 23, Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries. [Source](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-23) · [Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20260907072405/https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-23) **Written by:** Learn About Pearls editors **Fact-checked:** Learn About Pearls editors, October 26, 2026 **Reviewed by:** Simon, October 26, 2026 **First published:** November 4, 2026 **Publisher:** [Unique Pearl](https://learnaboutpearls.com/about/), a pearl jeweler **Revision history** 1. November 4, 2026: First published. First published **How to cite this page** **APA:** Learn About Pearls editors. (2026). _How Do the Main Types of Pearls Compare?_ Learn About Pearls. https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/ **MLA:** “How Do the Main Types of Pearls Compare?” _Learn About Pearls_, Unique Pearl, November 4, 2026, learnaboutpearls.com/compare/. **Chicago:** Learn About Pearls editors. “How Do the Main Types of Pearls Compare?” Learn About Pearls. Unique Pearl. Last modified November 4, 2026. https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/. **BibTeX:** `@misc{lap-compare, title = {How Do the Main Types of Pearls Compare?}, author = {{Learn About Pearls editors}}, year = {2026}, howpublished = {\url{https://learnaboutpearls.com/compare/}}, note = {Learn About Pearls, published by Unique Pearl}}` Quoting with attribution and a link is welcome. See [how to cite and reuse](https://learnaboutpearls.com/cite/). **Suggest a correction** ## Related pages - [Pearl types](https://learnaboutpearls.com/types/): Akoya, freshwater, South Sea, Tahitian and keshi pearls, and where each one comes from. - [Basics](https://learnaboutpearls.com/basics/): What pearls are, what they are made of, and how natural, cultured and imitation pearls differ.