Freshwater Pearls

Shop Our Freshwater Pearl Strands for Jewelry Making

You came here to buy, so let's get you to the right strand fast. We carry cultured freshwater pearls in the colors and shapes makers reach for most, all sold as full strands you can design with right away.

Our current lineup gives you real range. The 13-14mm Mauve Coin pearls bring a soft shine and a flat coin profile that lies beautifully in a necklace. The 9mm Peacock Navy strand carries a deep multi-color orient, while the 9x8mm Champagne Off Round pearls add a warm, iridescent neutral. Want something cleaner? The 8mm White Button Side Drilled strand reads classic and bright. For texture and movement, the 7x3mm Pea Green Keshi and the 15x13-19x14mm Rosé White Rectangle pearls give you shapes you won't find everywhere. Most strands run from about $8 to $160, depending on size, shape, and quality. Stringing larger projects? See our large hole freshwater pearls.

Every strand is matched for color, size, and quality before it reaches you. Most strands run about 15 to 16 inches and hold roughly 45 to 50 pearls, so you know what you're working with before you design.

How to Choose the Right Freshwater Pearl Beads

To choose freshwater pearls for jewelry making, weigh five things: shape, size, color, drill orientation, and how well the strand is matched. Get these right and your finished piece looks intentional, not accidental. Here is how we'd guide you through each one.

1. Shape: Round pearls feel timeless, while off-round, coin, button, rectangle, and Keshi shapes add a custom, organic feel. We carry all of these. Explore round, baroque, and Keshi shapes.

2. Size: Smaller 7-9mm pearls suit delicate, everyday work. Our larger 13-19mm coins and rectangle pearls make a statement.

3. Color: We stock white, mauve, champagne, peacock navy, pea green, and rosé white, so you can match a palette or build around one hue. Shop by white and off-white, peach, or peacock.

4. Drill orientation: Center-drilled, side-drilled, and standard holes each suit different stringing methods, so check the listing before you buy.

5. Matching and grade: We match each strand for size, color, and form, with stable nacre grade throughout, and carry fine AAA and AAAA quality, so you spend less time culling and more time designing.

Why Freshwater Pearls Belong in Your Designs

Here's the payoff: freshwater pearls give you durability, color, and value that few other beads match. That means your finished jewelry looks rich and holds up to real wear.

Because most cultured freshwater pearls are solid nacre rather than bead-nucleated, they tend to be tough and forgiving to work with. You also get a natural color range, from soft creams to deep peacock tones, without dyeing or treatment on many strands. And the value is real. Freshwater pearls deliver the look people love at a price that works for both one-off pieces and full collections.

Here is how freshwater pearls compare to saltwater pearls at a glance:

They're also meaningful. Pearls are the June birthstone, so a freshwater pearl piece makes a thoughtful, personal gift your customers will remember. If you sell your work, that story helps it move. For larger runs, our wholesale program saves you more as you scale, from 10% off at $50 up to 30% off at $1,000 and over, on the natural freshwater pearls and cultured strands you reorder most. US orders over $100 ship free, with free returns.

Freshwater Pearls - Frequently Asked Questions

What are Freshwater Pearls? 

Freshwater pearls are pearls grown in mussels that live in lakes, rivers, and ponds. Most are cultured, meaning a technician starts the process on a pearl farm. Each mussel can produce several pearls at once. That makes them more available and more affordable than many saltwater types.

Are Freshwater Pearls Real Pearls? 

Yes, freshwater pearls are genuine pearls. They form from layers of real nacre, the same material that gives all pearls their glow. Cultured simply means the growth was encouraged, not faked. You're getting a real pearl, not an imitation.

How are Freshwater Pearls Different from Saltwater Pearls? 

Freshwater pearls usually have no bead nucleus, so most are solid nacre. This often makes them more durable than saltwater pearls. They also come in more shapes and natural colors. Perfectly round freshwater pearls are rarer, which is part of their charm.

What Colors Do Freshwater Pearls Come In? 

Freshwater pearls come in a wide natural range, including white, cream, mauve, pink, lavender, peach, and champagne. We also carry treated tones like peacock navy and pea green. Many natural colors need no dye at all. That gives you real flexibility when matching a design.

What Shapes Do Freshwater Pearls Come In?

Freshwater pearls come in round, off-round, coin, button, rectangle, and Keshi shapes, among others. Round is the most classic, while baroque and coin shapes add a custom, organic feel. We stock several shapes so you can mix textures. Check each listing for the exact shape and size.

How Do I Choose Freshwater Pearls for Jewelry Making?

Choose freshwater pearls by shape, size, color, drill orientation, and how well the strand is matched. Decide the look you want first, then match the size to the scale of your piece. Confirm the drill type fits your stringing method. We match each strand for you, which saves sorting time.

Are Freshwater Pearls Durable Enough To Work With?

Freshwater pearls are reasonably durable thanks to their thick, solid nacre. Still, pearls are softer than most gemstones, around 2.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale. Handle them gently, string with care, and add them after any harsh assembly steps. With normal wear, a well-made piece lasts for years.

How Much Do Freshwater Pearls Cost?

Freshwater pearls are among the most affordable real pearls available, which is a big reason makers love them. Price depends on size, shape, color, and quality, with larger and rounder pearls costing more. Most of our strands run from about $8 to $160. For volume buyers, our wholesale pricing brings the cost down further.

How Do I Care for Freshwater Pearls?

Care for freshwater pearls by keeping them dry, clean, and away from chemicals. Wipe them with a soft cloth after wear, and store them in a breathable pouch rather than a sealed bag. Keep them off chlorine, perfume, and lotion, which can dull the luster. Treated this way, their color and shine last.

Can I Buy Freshwater Pearls Wholesale From Beads of Cambay?

Yes, you can buy freshwater pearls wholesale from us. We use tiered pricing, so the more you order, the more you save: 10% off at $50, 20% off at $100, 25% off at $500, and 30% off at $1,000 and up.