Keep in mind some tips below when buying pearls online, you won`t be confused when distingushing pearl types.

1. Shape:

salt water pearl is generally round in shape, although good quality freshwater pearl is also round, but mainly is oblate, perform or semicircular in shape. Many good salt water pearl is round or perfectly round, if they are not round, their shape will be drop or tear drop. off round, oblate shape never been found in saltewater pearls. Even good quality round  freshwater pearls, if you check them   carefully, each pearl are not same but very slightly off round shape.

 This is fresh water pearl. See the pearl shape carfully. They are slightly off round. salt water pearl never have this shape.

 This is akoya (salt water pearl) pearl. They are perfectly round.

This is also salt water pearl but low quality. If akoya pearl not round, the only shape is tear drop (even slightly drop), but they never be off round shape. On the other hand, fresh water pearl never has this shape.

Note: When you buy pearl online. You had better buy from the seller who provides very clear picture.

2. Blemish:

Some blemish such as ring (line) is only exsists on freshwater pearl surface, more scratches been found on freshwater pearl because they are not hard as saltwater pearls. Blesh such as spots usually exsist on both fresh and salt water pearls.

This fresh water pearl. Check the pic carefully, you will see on the surface exsiting some  blemishes ring or line which is the most disdingtive feactures of fresh water pearl.  

 there are some tiny spots blemishes on the salt water pearl.

3. Luster:

The shine of salt water pearl is more brilliant than freshwater pearl.

 this is fresh water pearl.

This is salt water pearl which is more lustrous. 

4. Pearl Size:

salt water pearl varies from 4.0-8.0MM, but fresh water from 4.0-15.0MM.
There is nearly no 8.0+MM akoya pearl selling on ebay because they are very rare and extremly expensive.

This big 9.0-10.0 MM pearl is surely fresh water pearls.

This is a classic white 18 Inch 6.5-7.0MM salt water pearl necklace with around 60 pcs pearls.

5. Pearl color:

salt water pearl usually has natural white, cream, yellowish golden, silver grey color but some time also dyed in black , blue, peacock color, but akoya pearl won`t have pink, purple, orange color. But 20-40% of fresh water are natural pink and purple color, Fresh water never have silver grey color.

This pearl is fresh water pearl in natural color.

Buying online, you should check the picture very carefully. Won`t take home freshwater pearl instead of salt water pearl. But one thing should clear is AAA grade round fresh water pearl above 8.5MM also can be fine jewelry and might be expensive.

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