Natural freshwater pearls are seldom round or close to it. More often than not, they are baroque, slugs or wings. Freshwater pearls are noted for their wide range of color including white, silvery white, pink, salmon, red, copper, bronze, brown, lavender, purple, green, blue, cream and yellow. White is the most common color, but the most desirable colors are the pastel pinks, roses, lavenders, and purples. The different colors are dependent upon the mussel species, genetics, water quality and the position of the pearl in the shell. Normally pearls assume the color of the shell in which they form.

Demand for freshwater pearls depends on the quality, size, color, shape, degree of translucency, texture, ability to match and blend and luster. Usually, the quality of freshwater pearls is very good or better than any other pearl.

Freshwater pearls have a special attraction, since they come in a wide range of colors. A very small quantity of metal is added to the water on a pearl farm, resulting in different colored freshwater pearls. Many of these colors cannot be found in saltwater pearls. Freshwater pearls can be found in almost any shape imaginable including round, drop, rice, button, oval, semi-round, and circle or ringed, baroque or semi-baroque.

Chinese cultured, freshwater pearls are grown in an amazing variety of shapes, colors and sizes ranging from flat to round and all shapes in between. Their natural colors are various shades of white, pink and lilac and a great many are dyed to a host of other attractive colors. Good quality, affordability and flexibility are the hallmarks of Chinese cultured freshwater pearls. Freshwater pearls are usually 100% nacre, compared to saltwater pearls that are beaded.

Freshwater pearl farming is done in China, Japan and the US. Typically, the US produces pearls for its domestic market, whereas a good deal of the freshwater pearls from China are exported all over the world