This document discusses Chinese techniques for culturing freshwater pearls. It explains that the Chinese invented methods to engineer the growth of pearls by changing their size, shape, and color. Specifically, it outlines a technique where nuclei are placed in freshwater mussels' tissue to make the pearls round like saltwater pearls. The document also notes that these techniques are used to make all pearls the same and perfect, as well as to make freshwater pearls indistinguishable from saltwater pearls.

1. CULTURING
FRESHWATER PEARLS
BY: NEIVA LABRECQUE

2. CHINESE INVENTION
• Are engineering People have many questions
growth of pearls about this such as….
changing the • How will this affect
size, shape, and the market?
color • Will buyers buy
• The tests come out these pearls
the same as a instead?
natural pearl

3. CHANGING THE COLOR
• You can change the color Chinese Technique In
of pearls by bleaching them
Steps
• Usually are bleached white 1. Use a mild bleach
to make them look even 2. fluorescent lights
better 3. Heat
4. Polish the pearls by
• You can bleach them to be tumbling them in the
any color polish

4. HOW DO THEY DO IT?
• Freshwater mussels are
covered with nuclei in the
mantle as well as the tissue
( technique called saltwater culturing)
• Putting nuclei in freshwater
pearls’ tissue makes the pearls
shape round like
• The pictures on the right show
the techniques they use to
perfect the pearls

5. WHY DO THEY DO IT
• Want more pearls to • Wanted it to be so
be round so there that you couldn’t
are less rejects tell the difference
from a saltwater
• Want all pearls to and a freshwater
be the same and pearl.
perfect

6. DIFFERENT COLORS,

7. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Information Websites
• http://herbison.com/mt/genetics.html
• http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/freshwater-pearls.html
Picture websites
• http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Spring---Adorn-Yourself-
With-Cololful-Pearl-Jewelry/50974
• http://edensjewelry.com/category/pearl-jewelry/
• http://pearlnecklacesonline.com/?m=201201