Edison pearls are one of the most recent examples of a new type of pearl, and they’re stirring up some buzz amongst lovers of pearl jewellery.
But what are Edison pearls, and how do they differ from any other type of pearl? This article will demystify what exactly these gems are, countering any online misinformation and helping you to invest in your next pearl jewellery design with confidence.
What are Edison pearls?
If you’re a pearl jewellery aficionado, it’s possible that you’ve heard people in the industry talking about Edison pearls.
Edison pearls take their name from the Edison Pearl Company, a Chinese pearl farming company that cultivates these pearls.
The Edison Pearl Company advertise Edison pearls as highly unique and distinctive gems. They describe the techniques used to create Edison pearls as innovative, purportedly allowing them to create freshwater pearls that rival saltwater counterparts like South Sea pearls or Tahitian pearls.
Unfortunately, this is all a brand exercise.
Edison pearls are in fact cultured freshwater pearls. As such, they’re the same as any other cultured freshwater pearl.
Cultivated only in China, Edison pearls are freshwater pearls produced inside large freshwater mussels.
Edison pearls are typically either round or baroque shaped. They may reach up to 20 millimetres in diameter, but usually measure between 11 and 16 millimetres.
Rounded Edison pearls achieve their spherical shape through a particular cultivation technique. A Freshwater pearl is placed into a specialist tumbling machine which rounds the edges of the pearl. The newly round pearl is then re-introduced to a freshwater pearl mollusc within a preexisting pearl sac of epithelial cells for it to continue covering the rounded pearl in nacre.
If the Edison pearls are abstract or irregular in shape, they’re classifiable as ‘baroque shaped’. Edison pearls are not true baroque pearls, which are one-of-a-kind pearls created within oysters in sea water.
So, in essence, Edison pearls are only ‘new’ to the pearl market as a brand name. They’re no different from any of the cultured freshwater pearls that we use in our freshwater pearl jewellery.
Freshwater pearl jewellery to wear every day
Whether you’re looking for a classic set of pearl earrings, or are on the lookout for distinctive evening wristwear, choose from our selection of cultured freshwater pearl jewellery.
Like Edison pearls, the cultured freshwater pearls that we use are created in freshwater mussels from slow-moving rivers and lakes.
They come in classic colours like white and cream, but you’ll also find peach, pink and purple freshwater pearls to complement a range of different skin and hair colours. Dove Grey and Peacock Black freshwater pearls which originate as peach or plum pearls are given a treatment which transforms their colour throughout and will therefore will never discolour.
Keep it simple
Understated but still elegant, our grey freshwater pearl short pendant can be worn with matching grey freshwater pearl and silver studs for a work-appropriate look.
Baroque-shaped freshwater pearls
Pleasingly asymmetrical, the pearls in our white baroque-shaped freshwater pearl and multi-coloured tourmaline ‘happy’ necklace combined with spirals of tourmaline. Inspired by the vivid colours of Mexican coral reefs, you can wear them to brighten up any dull, grey winter day.
Embrace colour
Combining one single white freshwater pearl with multicoloured sapphires, our ‘happy’ necklace is almost guaranteed to put a spring in your step. Wear with our ‘tutti frutti’ earrings to bring out the sapphire’s multicoloured undertones.
2 genuine baroque pearl jewellery designs
Baroque pearls have been trending on the catwalks for a while, so there’s no better time to find a baroque pearl jewellery design for your own jewellery box. Uniquely textured and irregular in shape, no two baroque pearls are the same. Modern and distinctive, we choose baroque pearls for their lustre, colour and idiosyncratic shape.
Matching sets
Our white baroque freshwater pearl ‘build your own’ long drop earrings create an eye-catching movement with their length. Wear with our white baroque freshwater pearl pendant for a relaxed yet glamorous set.
Regal allure
Choose an heirloom design like our white baroque South Sea pearl and diamond drop earrings to hand down to the next generation. Crafted in 18-carat white gold, hand-set baroque South Sea pearls pair with sparkling white diamonds. Wear with a matching pendant for a special occasion.
What are comet pearls?
Comet pearls are another type of pearl that’s newly appeared on the pearl jewellery marketplace. But what are they?
Comet pearls are baroque-shaped freshwater pearls. They’re neither round, nor ‘egg’, nor ‘drop’ shaped, but are a very organic, non-spherical shape with a ‘trail’ that looks like a comet but is somewhat thicker.
Our alternatives to comet pearls
At Coleman Douglas Pearls, we don’t stock comet pearls.
That said, we do offer many pearl drop designs such as our pearl drop pendants.
A pendant like our white freshwater pearl and chalcedony drop necklace is ideal for everyday wear. Give a crisp white crew neck a splash of colour and complement with matching white pearl earrings.
If green and white aren’t your colourway, we have the same necklace in different gemstones and coloured pearls. Our black freshwater pearl and apatite drop necklace emulates the sea’s calming aqueous colours, whilst our copper freshwater pearl and smokey quartz drop necklace offers more earthy tones.
Inspired by the luscious seeds of the pomegranate fruit, our award-winning Tahitian pearl and garnet ‘melograno’ lariat necklace combines sultry Tahitian pearl tassels with red garnets.
Alternatively, choose a chic design like our white Akoya seed and large baroque boulder drop necklace. Modern yet relaxed, this design combines Akoya pearls with sought-after baroque pearls to provide modish neckwear.
Or why not own a pair of unique baroque-shaped white freshwater pearl drop earrings? A single, asymmetric baroque-shaped freshwater pearl hangs suspended from a creamy white freshwater stud for easy yet understated cool.
Choose a pearl jewellery design to stand the test of time
At Coleman Douglas Pearls, we don’t rely on the flashy appeal of new brand names to advertise our pearl jewellery.
We bring over thirty years of experience to our personal consultations, allowing you to invest with confidence in an heirloom design that you’ll hand down through the generations.
