Pearls are incredible gems from the ocean. After her engagement and wedding ring, many women prize their strand of pearls. But with so many types of pearls and imitations on the market, how do you know what to buy?

Nearly 100 percent of all pearls set in jewelry today are cultured pearls. That means that a pearl farmer has grown the gems in oysters.

Today, thanks to a perfected culturing process, freshwater pearls, which are found in lakes and rivers, are often indistinguishable from salt water pearls. High quality freshwater pearls will be as round and lustrous as their saltwater counterparts. The Chinese are flooding the market with excellent-quality freshwater pearls, and prices are so low that you can almost buy real pearl jewelry as inexpensively as good imitations!

JeGem.com always features freshwater pearls. You’ll love their rainbow luster. Look for fabulous colors like black and grayish purple as well as stunning white. You’ll also find several shapes in addition to traditional round pearls.

Check out our Biwa pearls for an exotic treat. We pair them with other pearls or alone for their fascinating shapes and incredible rainbow luster. Or choose a gorgeous mabe pearl piece.

These beautiful gems are manufactured from the real thing with solid backings so you can enjoy not only the color and luster, but incredible durability.

By Tammy