Freshwater Pearls:

Fresh water pearls are formed as the oyster spins the pearl trying to dislodge it. From time immemorial fresh water pearls were harvested in Lake Bewa in Japan. Since the lake has become quite polluted, no pearls have been harvested there for 25 years. However, there are many other pearl farms in Japan and China. The grooves found on the freshwater pearl are called spinners and are quite natural. They are formed as the oyster tries to spin this foreign object so as to dislodge it from its body. Pearls now come in a myriad of gorgeous colors from deep greens to iridescent bluish purple to pink. Shapes range from button to ovals to coin.