Multicolor Freshadama Pearl Necklace

Q: Hello, I am trying to decide between the Multicolor Freshwater Pearl necklace and the Multicolor Freshadama Pearl necklace. Are the colors of the pearls in both necklaces the same colors? I was looking at pictures of both types of pearls and both necklaces look very beautiful. If I bought the Multicolor Freshwater Pearl necklace (not the Freshadama) I would probably upgrade to the AAA+ pearls. What is your opinion on the two different types of pearl necklaces?

A: The colors in all the freshwater pearls occur naturally, so there is tremendous variation from strand to strand. Generally, the colors are in the same family however. The major differences with the freshwater pearl qualities are the standard value factors but not color. The grade levels are AA+, AAA, and Freshadama with your choice being based on budget and overall look of the strand. AA+ quality are slightly off-round with good luster and surface blemishing of up to 10% (very light to none). AAA quality freshwaters are near-round, high luster, and 95% blemish-free surface. Freshadama have very high luster, are less than 5% off-round, and will often exhibit orient which is the rarest of the qualities found in pearls. Orient is a rainbow like iridescence seen across the surface of a pearl not unlike the effect you see on soap bubbles. This effect is actually produced by the diffraction of light playing through the concentric nacre layers. Because of the rarity of Freshadama quality pearls, the price points are considerably higher than even the AAA. However, depending on which factors are most critical, you would probably be very pleased with the AAA quality.