Freshwater pearls cover a wider range of color and shape than any other pearl type. Originally these pearls were marketed as a lower quality, inexpensive alternative to Akoya pearls.
A mabe pearl is a half-spherical cultured pearl grown on the inside shell of a mollusk, as opposed to inside a mollusk's body.
Akoya pearls are a traditional symbol of elegance and beauty. Produced by Japan’s Akoya oysters, they are the most popular of all pearl types. Depending on the size of the oyster, they grow from 3-10mm.
South Sea pearls are considered as the "Rolls Royce" of cultured pearls and are among the rarest and most costly cultured pearls available today. They range in size from 9mm to 20mm and can be naturally white, cream, or golden in color.
Baroque pearls also called faceted pearls, nugget pearls, are simply pearls that have irregular shapes.