Ocean Treasures: A Guide to Every Type of Pearl and Their Significance

July 1, 2026

8 min read

Pearls have a language all their own, from Akoya and South Sea to baroque, keshi and non-nacreous. Here, we spotlight the different types of pearls that every jewellery lover should know.

The poetic world of pearls is far more varied than the classic white strand might suggest. Among the oldest of gems, pearls have been prized for thousands of years as symbols of wealth, status, purity and power, passed through royalty and traded across ancient cultures long before they became a staple in our jewellery boxes.

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In the continuation of this article, discover:

The differences between Akoya, South Sea, Tahitian, freshwater and other pearl varieties, and how each is formed.
Why some of the world’s rarest pearls, from conch and Melo to quahog and abalone, are so prized by collectors.
How jewellers are embracing everything from perfectly round classics to baroque, keshi and other unconventional pearl forms.

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