Akoya, South Sea, Tahitian, Keshii, Mabe, and Freshwater - these are the six types of cultured pearls. Their exotic names, of course, reflect the places or ways each is cultured.

Pearls are farmed in different locations around the world, in various species of oysters. Akoya pearls are cultivated in Japan and China; South Sea pearls are grown in Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, and Myanmar; Tahitian pearls are cultivated in French Polynesia; Freshwater pearls are grown in China, Japan, and the US; Keshii pearls are cultivated in Japan, Australia, French Polynesia, Indonesia and the Philippines; and Mabe pearls are produced in Japan, Australia, French Polynesia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Given proper care, cultured pearls will remain clean, bright, and lustrous for generations. Ideally, you should not wear them at the same time as you wear makeup, perfume, or hairspray (all of which are acid-based and can harm the pearls). If you cannot do this, however, put your pearls on after you’ve applied your makeup. We also recommend that you wipe your pearls after every wear with a soft moist cloth, which will remove traces of harmful agents.

Do not clean pearls with chemicals or abrasives, and avoid bringing them into contact with household chemicals, inks, vinegar, or chlorine. These substances will blemish the pearls and can weaken the thread of a pearl necklace, making it susceptible to breakage.

Pearls are usually strung on silk cord. Because the silk is organic it will break down after 10 to 25 years. Body oils, cosmetics, and daily wear can weaken the silk thread on which your pearls are strung, and cause it to break much sooner . To prevent a sudden disaster, it is best to have your pearls re-strung every five or six years, depending on how much you wear them and the care with which they’ve been treated. Strung properly, a pearl necklace will be made with an individual knot between each pearl - the knots prevent the scattering and possible loss of all the pearls if the string should break.

Cultured pearls can be easily damaged if they are left uncovered - even dust has particles much harder than their surfaces. Whatever you do, don’t casually toss your pearls into a purse or jewellery box! To avoid scratching, keep pearls separate from hard or sharp jewellery and other objects. They are best stored in a soft cloth pouch, a separately lined compartment of a jewellery box, or a satin-lined box or chamois bag.