"Freshwater" and "baroque" often appear side by side in pearl jewelry, which can make them sound like two competing types. They actually describe different things, and a pearl can be both.
Freshwater Describes Where a Pearl Grows
Freshwater pearls are cultured in freshwater mussels raised in lakes, ponds and rivers. They come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and soft natural colors, which makes them a versatile choice for everyday jewelry.
Saltwater pearls, such as Akoya, South Sea and Tahitian pearls, are grown in oysters in the ocean.
Baroque Describes a Pearl's Shape
A baroque pearl has an irregular, non-round shape. Some are gently oval, while others have curves, ridges or sculptural profiles. Because no two are alike, baroque pearls give jewelry an organic, one-of-a-kind look.
Many baroque pearls are freshwater pearls, so a freshwater baroque pearl simply means a pearl grown in fresh water with an irregular shape.
Other Pearl Shapes You'll See
- Round and near-round: the classic look, smooth and symmetrical.
- Seed pearls: very small pearls, often strung in delicate chokers and bracelets.
- Rice pearls: small, slightly elongated pearls.
- Coin pearls: flat, disc-shaped pearls with a broad, reflective surface.
- Petal pearls: thin, flat pearls with a free-form outline.
How to Choose
Choose round or seed pearls for a classic, refined look, like our seed pearl choker. Choose baroque pearls if you want something expressive and individual, like our Large Baroque Pearl & Gemstone Bracelet or the Crashing Waves bracelet, which mixes coin, petal and baroque pearls.
What Every Pearl Shares
Whatever the shape, every pearl in our collection is a genuine cultured freshwater pearl. Pearls are an organic gemstone, so shape, size and luster vary slightly from pearl to pearl, and the piece you receive may differ a little from the photos.
Want to learn more? Read what makes baroque pearls unique, or browse our pearl and gemstone jewelry.
