Akoya:

Primarily grown in the cool to temperate saltwater of Japan - allowing pearl to develop uniform mineral crystals resulting in brilliant luster.

Size: 8 to 24 months for a pearl to grow; size ranges from 2 - 10 millimeters.

Colors: rose, silver/white, cream, gold and grey/blue.

Tahitian:

Grown in the Pinctada margaritifera cumingi oyster species found throughout French Polynesia. Only 1 in 10,000 of these oysters produces a pearl as a result, they cannot be mass produced.

Size: 22-26 months to grown; size ranges from 8-18 millimeters

Colors: peacock (the most popular), black/black, black/grey, silver/grey, black/rose, black/blue, black/green and aubergine (eggplant).

Freshwater:

Formed in lakes, rivers, ponds and other freshwater. Up to 40 pearls can be grown in one mussel.

Size: 3 to 7 years to grow; size ranges from 3 – 13 millimeters.

Colors: pastel shades including white, pink, peach, lavender, grey, yellow and cream.

Sea:

Grown in the warm, pure waters off of Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar and Thailand in the oyster species Pinctada maxima.

Size: 20 to 24 months to grow; ranges from 9-20 millimeters

Colors: silver, silver/pink, white, white/pink, white/gold and gold.