Freshwater Pearl Meaning: Healing Properties, Benefits and Uses

Freshwater Pearls are pearls that are farmed and created using freshwater mussels. Pearls are unique among gemstones in that they are formed inside mollusks, rather than deep within the earth like crystals.

What is Freshwater Pearl?

Pearls are organic gems that grow within clams and other mollusks. Freshwater Pearls are formed when a foreign object acts as an irritant inside the shell. This impurity or irritant that enters the body of a certain clam, oyster, or mussel species gets trapped there. These particular species use defense mechanisms and release/secrete liquid that coats the impurity or irritant. The hidden impurity under layers of liquid coat finally takes the form of a lustrous pearl.

 The process of producing a pearl can range from 6 months to several years. Even before this, it takes about 3 years for the mollusk to reach a mature age to produce a pearl. A mollusk is only able to begin the pearl-making process naturally or with the help of humans when it reaches this mature age.

The process of gathering the pearls from the water and creating pearls is called Freshwater Pearl harvesting. Pearls typically take about 2-3 years to grow and are then harvested in an eye-popping array of natural pinks, peaches, lavender, and white colors. Once the mussels of choice have been selected, they are soaked in a basin of water, continuously, for a few days. Pearls from harvests are typically bought while still in the shell. After harvest, the pearls are delivered to a first-stage factory responsible for cleaning and storing the pearls by size and shape. 

After this process has been completed, the pearls are considered ready material for processing factories. The pearls are pre-treated (maeshori) in a warm and cold chemical solution and then bleached. The pearls that exhibit intense coloration only go through the maeshori and are not bleached or dyed.

After the pearls are treated, they are drilled and polished with a mixture of cornmeal and wax. Finally, they are matched into temporary strands, which are then matched again into hanks. Hanks is composed of 5 to 10 temporary strands and are considered wholesale-ready. 

Where are Freshwater Pearls found?

Freshwater Pearls are produced in Japan and the United States on a limited scale but are now almost exclusively produced in China, by Hyriopsis cumingi (triangle shell) and Hyriopsis schlegeli (Biwa shell) commercially in China, and other bivalve mussels that live in lakes, riverbeds and creek bottoms in Japan (Biwa pearls and Lake Kasumigaura pearls), as well the United States (Mississippi River Basin).

Meaning of Freshwater Pearls 

The definition of pearl is a hard object found in the soft tissue of a saltwater or freshwater mollusk. Pearl’s meaning is centered around purity, harmony, humility, balance, and inner wisdom.

Freshwater Pearls have been a source of pure fascination. Silky and glistening with many shades, these precious gems seem to carry one-of-a-kind energy. Often tagged as gifts of grace and glamor, they are also associated with inner wisdom. They have huge healing energy as they carry the lucid movement of water within them, they are all about inviting you to find your balance and flow. 

Freshwater Pearls Meaning in Ancient Lore And History

For centuries, pearls have been used for their healing factors, especially in traditional Far East and Asian medical systems. Numerous folktales and myths surround the precious gem of the sea. Some of the ancient pearl myths seem far-fetched. But, they symbolize the importance of these gems to ancient civilizations. 

Some of the ancient myths about Freshwater Pearls:

• Ancient Japanese Legend –  During ancient times, the Japanese believed that the tears of mythical creatures created pearls. Some of these creatures include but are not limited to, nymphs, mermaids, and angels.

• Ancient Persian Legend – According to one Persian pearl myth, the gems were created after a storm. That’s when a rainbow came down from the sky and met with the earth. Lightning and thunder were said to be the reasons for the pearl’s imperfections.

• Ancient Egyptian Legend – During ancient times, Egyptians were buried with their pearls after they died because they valued them so much.

 The myth from this era that’s most famous involves Cleopatra, the famous ruler of Egypt. Legend has it that she took the gem from one of her pearl earrings. She then dissolved it and drank it!

Supposedly, this was done to show Roman politician Mark Antony that the entire nation’s wealth could be devoured in one, single gulp.

• Ancient Chinese Legend – Black pearls were very symbolic during early Chinese civilization. They were symbolic of wisdom. People believed the gems were formed inside the head of the dragon. Once they were fully grown, the dragon carried them between its teeth. According to the myth, a person could only gather the pearls after slaying the dragon to death.

Just like these, there are several ancient myths and legends associated with Freshwater Pearls. 

Let’s now explore the properties of the Freshwater Pearl. 

Freshwater Pearls Crystal Properties 

Just like all precious gemstones and crystals out there, pearls come cloaked in their healing energy too. They are known as introspective gems, which means they guide us back into ourselves and show us our sense of sublime wisdom. Yet, the luminous pearl doesn’t stop there. This pretty orb is brimming with benefits for the body, mind, and soul. 

Healing Properties of Freshwater Pearls

Physical Healing Properties of Freshwater Pearls 

The Freshwater Pearl is all about balance and it reflects this in the harmony it brings to the body. For those who feel physically off-kilter, this wonderful gem will bring you back into strong stature. Pearls are excellent for lung issues, they help reduce the effects of asthma and bronchitis, and they heal all your essential organs like the heart, liver, and kidney. 

They have a sedative effect on the body too, meaning that you get a good night’s shut-eye, calm overactive adrenal glands, and let go of hypertension and headaches. They are also said to be beneficial for pregnant women and new mothers, thanks to all their fabulous feminine energy. 

Mental and Emotional Healing of Freshwater Pearls 

Along with bringing your hormones into balance and ensuring your body is finding that sweet spot between ride and rest, pearls love to lend a hand when it comes to soothing our emotions. Known as a stone of inner wisdom, Freshwater Pearls help us to find the confidence we need to be our advocates in the world. They also lighten the mind and your mood meaning that you feel a bright spell of optimism and ease wash right over you. Pearls help us to let go of anxiety, nervousness, and negative inner voice. They inspire sincerity, loyalty, and truth – not just to others but most importantly, to ourselves.

Metaphysical Properties of Freshwater Pearls 

With such an emphasis on balance and wisdom, it’s no surprise that the pearl connects deeply with the third eye chakra. The third eye chakra is the gateway to our inner well of knowledge. It awakens our intuition, helps us find clarity, and illuminates darkened corners so we can see ourselves fully and with fine-tuned understanding. Freshwater Pearls also help protect us as they are exceptional at absorbing negative energy and keeping our auras pure and clear. 

Freshwater Pearls are also believed to signify innocence and faith. Practitioners use pearls to enhance personal integrity, bring the truth forward, grow sincerity, inhibit immodest behavior, and advance in wisdom. 

Spiritual Benefits of Freshwater Pearls 

Pearls are valued for their natural healing properties in addition to their dazzling elegance and beauty. By harmonizing hormone levels in the body, which include those related to lunar cycles, the fans claimed that pearls help to maintain natural equilibrium. It is also regarded as a spiritual healer, bringing out inner wisdom and strengthening emotional powers with a loving tint of care.

Freshwater Pearl As Birthstones

The pearl is the ideal talisman or amulet for all Geminis looking for their ideal zodiac stones since it represents harmony, balance, and wisdom. Pearls and Gemini both have Mercury as their governing planet.

Pearls offer a sense of stability because of their lovely balancing act energy since Gemini can occasionally feel as though they are being tugged in two distinct directions, which can lead to flightiness and indecision. Additionally stylish in terms of hue, pearls can maintain social Geminis’ self-confidence levels strong.

Chakra Healing with Freshwater Pearls 

A Freshwater Pearl can regulate the heart chakra. One could have sudden envy or fury when this happens without even realizing it. One may need external validation all the time and lack compassion when the Heart Chakra is out of balance.

You can achieve homeostasis by using this gemstone to link your lower chakras to your upper chakras. Your natural ability to heal will be enhanced, and carrying a Freshwater Pearl will help you to be compassionate toward yourself. Pearls also support healthy circulatory and immunological systems and immune system performance. Pearls can help with tissue regeneration when they are placed over the Heart Chakra.

Pearls may also help with your Third Eye Chakra. Sometimes when this chakra is out of alignment, you might be oversensitive to other people’s opinions of you. It can also cause you to become impatient or envious. Using the pearl, you can enhance your intuitive perception and visualization.

If your crown chakra is unbalanced, Pearl may be able to help with that as well. It can connect you to the higher forces of the universe and the subtle energies that surround you all the time. Pearl can also help you feel understood by others and require less sympathy. 

Freshwater Pearl And Feng Shui

Feng shui, also known as Chinese geomancy, is an old Chinese tradition that makes claims that it uses energy forces to synchronize people with their surroundings.

If you have a fiery personality and require extra water element energy for balance, wearing a pearl accessory is ideal for you according to feng shui. Real pearls have a yin characteristic that helps young ladies align with their femininity and gentleness.

Since pearls are associated with the moon’s energy as well as innocence and honesty, there are many lessons to be learned from pearls that can be used in conjunction with feng shui.

•  Invite the Metal Element

Precision, honesty, joy, and simplicity are all associated with the metal element in feng shui. Because their round shape reflects mental activity, working with pearls is a lovely approach to awakening the metal element. Pearls in one of these hues are particularly perfect when you want to include more metal element attributes into your life. White and gray are also associated with metal.

You can wear pearls or bring them into your home to activate metal energy. This might be a pearl necklace hanging from your altar or perhaps a tree covered with pearls.

• Activate Dui, the Completion Area

A section of the feng shui Bagua called Dui represents both fulfillment and progeny. Consider using this powerful component in your home if you have trouble finishing the things you start. Clear, pure energy from pearls can be quite beneficial in energizing this area.

Use a three-by-three grid representation of your house to find Dui. Looking through the front door of your house, locate the middle part on your right side.

Try putting a pearl here after having a clear idea of how you want to utilize this energy in your life.

• Activate Kun, the Relationships Area

The Kun sector of the feng shui Bagua is also linked to pearls. Kun is maybe best known to you as the romance, love, or partnership section of the home. When someone wants to find love, or even when they just want to learn to love themselves, we frequently stimulate this area. The energy of the kun posture is highly yin and receptive. Working with pearls in this region can be advantageous, especially given that pearls have a relationship to the moon’s softer, yin energy. Pink is associated with kun, which makes pink-hued pearls a particularly fitting accent to this space.

• Wear Pearl Jewelry

Pearls, like all jewels, make stunning jewelry. Given that pearls are so tiny and priceless, wearing them is a particularly suitable approach to dealing with their energy.

Since pearls come in a variety of hues, you might wish to select pearl jewelry in a hue that complements your particular aim. If you want to bring more joy, accuracy, and clarity into your life, look for pearls that are white, grey, or silver. Pearls in shades of yellow and brown provide a more calming, nurturing aura. To encourage healing and kindness, choose blue or green pearls; black pearls will help you access your intuition

Does Freshwater Pearl Make A Good Jewelry Stone?  

Cultured Freshwater Pearls are widely known for their natural pastel colors, unique overtones, and an incredibly wide variety of shapes and sizes. Freshwater Pearls are an excellent choice for jewelry-making because they are each unique, bringing a new dimension to your jewelry. They are also loved for their affordability and durability, making them a great choice for anyone new to pearls and even established collectors. There are hundreds, if not thousands of pearl jewelry designs to choose from in the market today. Before you buy one for yourself, you should learn how to identify if what you are getting is genuine or fake. 

What colors, shapes, and sizes are available?

Because they offer a wider diversity of colors, shapes, and sizes than any other type of pearl, Freshwater Pearls are often used in fanciful designer jewelry. In addition to the traditional white body color, these pearls come in a rainbow of natural pastel colors such as lavender, pink, and every shade in between.

Most Freshwater Pearls information notes their varied shapes, including potato-shaped and sticks pearls, rice-shaped, and button pearls, coin-shaped and drop pearls, and off-round and round pearls. A perfectly round Freshwater Pearl is extremely rare. 

Sizes of Freshwater Pearls range from tiny seed pearls measuring 1 or 2 mm in diameter to 15 mm and larger.

How rare and valuable are they?

While Freshwater Pearls as a variety is the most common type of pearl; very round and lustrous Freshwater Pearls are very difficult to find. Top-of-the-line Freshwater Pearls, such as the ones you’d find at high-end jewelry stores and reputable online stores, command a high retail value. They are dazzling in their rich, bright, luster and their unique charm will last you a lifetime. They range in price from $100 or less up to thousands and even millions of dollars.

Freshwater Pearl Real v/s Fake 

What are Real Pearls?

Pearl-producing oysters in freshwater or saltwater both create actual pearls. This organic jewel can be either naturally occurring or developed, depending on whether human intervention is there or not. It’s important to remember that the majority of pearls available today are cultured.

Due to their rarity and lack of commercial viability, natural pearls generated without human intervention are extremely rare. As a result, museums are generally the only places to find them.

What are Fake Pearls?

Artificial beads are fake or counterfeit pearls. They usually have a pearly coating on the shells or are made of glass, plastic, alabaster, or other materials to resemble real pearls. While some fakes are obvious, others can be mistaken for the real thing.

The most popular one, Majorica pearl, which is made of glass, frequently deceives the sight.

How to Identify A Real Freshwater Pearl?

• Examine the Color

Both natural and cultured pearls often have an overtone, a translucent color that appears on the outer surface of a pearl. It is especially noticeable among fine-quality pearls. You’ll see a hint of pink, and green over the main pearl color.

When you notice the pearls, and they have only one uniform color and there is a lack of depth, they are likely to be fake.

But it’s worth noting that even some real pearls have no overtone either. So this method alone cannot tell the authenticity of a pearl.

• Observe the Shape

Most real pearls are rarely round. They come in all shapes, which include oval, button, near-round, circled, coin, drop, and irregular baroque. In general, round pearls command a higher price than pearls of other shapes.

But even with a strand of real pearl necklace that is perfectly round, you can still see some slight differences in their pearl shapes. 

So whatever the pearl shape may be, if you find them completely identical, it’s probably a sign that they’re made by machines. 

• Rub the Pearls to Check Surface Feel

Both natural and cultured pearls have textured surfaces due to their layered nacre structure. So, get two pearls and rub them together. They should be gritty and not slide off each other.

 Fake or imitation pearls, however, usually feel smooth or glassy. 

• Feel the Weight

Real pearls are normally heavier than fake ones. Toss them gently up and down in your hand and feel the weight difference. You can also use this method to test those made from coated glass or plastic beads.

The only exception with this weight test is in the case of solid glass beads. They weigh much heavier than natural or cultured pearls. So you’ll want to use other methods mentioned further for a correct judgment of real pearls.

• Check Drill Holes

The drill holes in real pearls are usually very small whereas those in imitation pearls are often larger. Under magnification, the coating around the drill holes of fake pearls is normally thin and looks like shiny paint. You can often see flakes or chipped coating around the drill holes that will eventually peel off.

• Tooth Test

Get the pearl and run it against your front teeth, just right below the biting edge. If you sense a gritty feeling, it is most probably real. Fake pearls are smooth, like plastic or glass.

However, be very careful of the pearls that are made from ground shells as they can also be gritty.

• Luster Test

Test the pearls against all kinds of light. Fake pearls will have a shine only on the surface, while genuine pearls always shine from within.

It is important to remember that all the methods mentioned above cannot be used alone to reach a conclusive judgment on whether or not a pearl is real. It’s always useful to combine several of these methods to detect fake pearls.

Impact of Freshwater Pearl 

Pearl And The Mind

Pearls bring centering and a calming reflection, as well as attune you to the ebb and flow of life. They promote faith, honesty, purity, wisdom, charity, and personal integrity. Pearls soothe and heal the negativity and struggle that occurs in your life, be it occasionally or for a long period. 

It surrounds negative energy with light and as a result, heals negative thoughts and thought forms. This stone moves negative attachments and psychic attacks out of the aura helps to release negative karmic patterns and fills the aura with healing light. 

During meditation, this stone will encourage money to flow into your life, and see yourself using it wisely.  Pearls will assist you in manifesting what you need at that time and place.

Pearl And The Feelings

Pearls help to balance the human body’s natural rhythms and hormone levels with the lunar cycles. This stone will bring you inner wisdom and help to strengthen and nurture the growth of pure love. It will teach you to open up and find the meaning and the purpose of your “true self”. They enlighten the mind and inspire the mood, while helping you to learn to love yourself more, and, in turn, love others more, as well. 

Pearls also enhance the feelings of goodwill and positive, uplifting feeling, calms and soothes emotions, and heals the negative inner voice and sub-personalities. Freshwater Pearl, when worn or carried, spreads loving vibrations.   

Pearl And The Spirit

Spiritually, pearl soothes and heals the negativity and struggle in your life, by surrounding negative energy with Divine Light. This stone will dissolve any negative energy sent to you by psychic attacks and repels psychic vampires as well. It moves negative attachments out of your aura and then fills your aura with healing light.

Caring For Freshwater Pearl

Pearls need a little TLC to keep them gleaming and glowing with love throughout life. The longer you look after your pearls, the longer they will be by your side. 

While they aren’t particularly high-maintenance, it is worth remembering that these precious little gems are born beneath the sea and therefore shouldn’t be exposed to too much direct sunlight, dryness, or humidity as this can dull the luster of your lovely pearl.

In this section of the article, we are going to learn about caring for, cleaning, and activating Freshwater Pearls to get the maximum benefit out of it. 

How To Clean Pearls?

• After every wear, wipe your pearls with a soft cloth. This will help prevent any buildup of oils or other substances that may have come in contact with your jewelry throughout the day.
• Clean with a damp cloth only as needed. If your pearls are visibly stained, you can ix a solution of lukewarm water and mild dish soap, dip a soft cleaning cloth in it and wipe the pearls. Do NOT submerge a pearl necklace in water, as it will weaken the silk thread.
• Let them dry all the way before storing. Again, this helps preserve the elasticity of the silk strand.
• Take them to your jeweler once a year. While you want to wear your pearls often to keep them hydrated, all that body oil doesn’t do the silk thread any favors. Make sure to have your jeweler check the integrity of your pearl bracelets and necklaces once a year. They can also give them a thorough, safe cleaning.

How to maintain and care for your pearls?

• Store pearls separately from other jewelry. To maintain the quality of Freshwater Pearls, ensure they are always kept in a soft pouch or jewelry box in a cool, dry place. Avoid placing Freshwater Pearls with other jewelry to prevent rubbing against other pieces that may cause scratching to the surface.
• Avoid wearing pearls with lotions and perfumes. Avoid direct contact with perfume, makeup, tanning, and lotions to prevent tarnishing, marking, or discoloring the pearls. The transfer of chemicals onto the Freshwater Pearl surface will affect the shiny luster over time. If exposed to any such thing, it is best to wipe them over with a soft damp cloth to remove any residue.
• Avoid wearing pearls in water. Avoid wearing hand-strung Freshwater Pearls strands in water (salt or freshwater) as the moisture will perish the silk threading. Exposure to water can also affect the adhesive used for most pearl earrings. 

Additionally, the chemicals used in chlorinated water will permanently damage the finish of the pearl, resulting in a dull pearl with no luster.

• Check the stringing of your pearls. Continually check the stringing of Freshwater Pearls and restring when necessary. The best indication of pearls in need of being restrung is by assessing the knots between each pearl. if the knots appear to be stretched or frayed, it is a signal to restring the strand. On average, pearls should be restrung every 24 months depending on the frequency of wear.

• Store them flat. While it’s perfectly acceptable for most necklaces to be hung on a cute jewelry rack, your pearl strands should not be. Store pearl necklaces flat to prevent the from stretching. 

Charging And Activating Freshwater Pearl

To charge your Freshwater Pearl for healing purposes, you can put them in the moonlight for about 12 hours. This will re-energize predominant feminine energies and bring Pearls back to their full potential. The best time to charge Pearls is under the light of the full moon.

Now that you know how to clean and care for Freshwater Pearls, go put yours on!

Final thoughts

The pearls have long been an ancient fascination. Forever valuable and filled with all those nurturing vibes that come from the sea, the moon, and the earth- pearls encapsulate balance, purity, and the wisdom we keep within.

Summary of Freshwater Pearls 

Name of Crystal	Freshwater Pearl
Precious	No
Semi-Precious	No
Other Names	Biwa pearls, Baroque pearls
Origin(s)	Japan, USA, and China
Color(s)	All shades between lavender and pink, white, silver, gold, black
Formation	Formed when an irritant such as a wayward food particle becomes trapped in the mollusk
Majorly Found at	China
Zodiac Suited for	Gemini
Chakra	Heart Chakra, Third Eye Chakra and Crown Chakra
Crystal Meaning	harmony, humility, peace
Types of Crystal	Orthorhombic – Aragonite
Healing Properties	Guides us back into ourselves and show us our sense of sublime wisdom
Health Benefits	Pearls are excellent for lung issues, reduces the effects of asthma and bronchitis, calm overactive adrenal glands, and let go of hypertension and headaches
Uses	Pearls are an excellent choice for making jewelry, such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, etc
Goes in Water?	No
Goes in Salt Water?	No
Goes in Rain Water?	No
Goes in Moon Water?	No
Moh’s Scale	2.5 – 4.5
Real	Have textured surfaces due to their layered nacre structure; on rubbing the pearls lightly against each other or on your front teeth, they feel a little gritty
Fake	Usually have a pearly coating on the shells or are made of glass, plastic, alabaster, or other materials to resemble real pearls