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Most Pearls sold today... are cultured on commercial farms. There are several distinct
varieties derived from different mollusks:
 | | Akoya ... The familiar cultured variety grown in the Japanese akoya oyster. Sizes range | | | from diameters of 3 mm to 10 mm. Colors are white with slight tones of yellow, rose, and
cream.
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| | South Sea ... white and golden color pearls from the Pinctada Maxima oyster, sizes ranging | | | from 9.5mm to 18mm or larger.
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| | Black South Sea ... also called "Tahiti pearls" from the Pinctada Margaritafera oyster | | | produces dark color pearls with colors ranging from grey, bluish-black, greenish-black,
brownish-black, and black. Sizes range from 9.5mm to 18mm or larger.
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| | Freshwater ... Pearls produced from freshwater mussels, generally not round and naturally | | | occurring in white colors and earth-tones of brown, orangey-brown, to purplish-browns.
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