3. Akoya pearls: When you visualize a standard pearl necklace, odds are that what’s in your mind’s eye is a string of Akoya pearls. These types of saltwater pearls are mostly grown in the cooler waters around Japan and China, and they have the highest luster among all others. Their incomparable roundness and mirror-like shine make them highly appealing. Akoya pearls are known to have white, cream, yellow, pink or blue body colors with pink, silver, or green overtones, says Gem Society.
4. Tahitian Pearls: As you may have guessed, Tahitian pearls are commonly found in Tahiti, as well as other French Polynesian islands. Also a type of saltwater pearls, they’re the only kind that naturally occur in black but can also sprout in gray, brown, blue, green and purple hues.
5. South Sea Pearls: With the largest range in size, south sea pearls are the most expensive type of pearls. These saltwater pearls are cultivated in the warmer waters off the coast of Australia and the Philippines and come in white, cream, silver, yellow and orangey-yellow variations. Pricey as they may be, south seas pearls have a less brilliant luster than their counterparts. Their appearance has more of a satin look compared to the mirror-like shine of Akoya pearls, for instance.