Chinese Zhuji Freshwater Pearls
Pearls are organic gemstones that have been regarded as rare treasures since ancient times. Geological and archaeological research confirms that pearls existed on Earth as early as 200 million years ago. China ranks among the earliest nations to utilise pearls. As far back as over four thousand years ago, the Classic of History: Yu Gong documented that river mussels could produce pearls. References to pearls also appear in the Book of Songs, Classic of Mountains and Seas, Erya, and Book of Changes. Conventionally, pearls are categorised into three types: saltwater pearls, freshwater pearls, and cultured pearls.
China mastered the technique of cultivating pearls over a thousand years ago, but kept it secret. Before 1880, the world's pearl resources were depleted due to the greed of the aristocracy. At that time, pearls were even more valuable than diamonds. Then, a Japanese man studied ancient Chinese texts and conducted relentless experiments, ultimately mastering pearl cultivation. He was honoured by the Japanese Emperor as the “Father of Pearl Cultivation.” Today, the world recognises only Japanese pearl cultivation techniques. This significant honour was relinquished to Japan, a source of regret and sorrow for China.
Other nations with documented pearl histories—such as India, ancient Rome, and Egypt—also trace their pearl development back over 4,000 years. Western Europe's fascination with pearls, however, emerged only in the last two millennia. Over the past four to five centuries, Western Europeans' passion for pearls reached its zenith. Mirroring ancient Chinese traditions, they insisted that only members of distinguished families of high status and prestige could wear pearls. Commoners were strictly forbidden from adorning themselves with these gems.
Pearls are primarily produced by certain bivalve molluscs. Specific epithelial cells in these animals secrete calcium carbonate, primarily aragonite and calcite, bound together by conchiolin. This mixture is known as nacre. Pearls form in response to injury to the mantle or shell, where they are secreted as a wound-sealing substance. Foreign objects like parasites, epithelial tissue fragments, or sand entering the animal's body do not trigger pearl formation. Cultured pearls, however, involve implanting a nucleus—a small piece of foreign material—which is then coated with layers of nacre. The formation of naturally occurring pearls takes anywhere from several months to years. The growth of very large pearls is often fatal to the host mollusc.
Freshwater pearls are nucleus-free pearls produced in rivers and lakes, primarily cultivated using the freshwater mussel (Tridacna). Major production areas include Zhuji in Zhejiang, Suzhou in Jiangsu, and Hubei, accounting for 95% of global output. Zhuji is renowned as the “Pearl Capital of China,” while Duchang County in Jiangxi is celebrated as the “Hometown of Chinese Freshwater Pearls.” Typically oval or flattened-round in shape, these pearls feature distinct surface ridges and smaller diameters, making them widely used as raw material for cosmetic pearl powder. Colours span white, pink, and purple hues. Recent technological advancements have yielded round freshwater Akoya pearls, Edison pearls, and rare phantom purple varieties. MiNG Royal Jewellery secured first place in this category at the Pearl King Championship.
China's pearl utilisation history dates back to the era of Yu the Great, with the Classic of History's “Yu Gong” documenting pearl production from river mussels. The Zhou Dynasty began using pearls for adornment, while the Han Dynasty distinguished between Northern Pearls (freshwater pearls from Northeast China) and Southern Pearls (saltwater pearls from Hepu, Guangxi). After Northern Pearl resources depleted during the Qing Dynasty, cultivation shifted to the Yangtze River basin. Modern freshwater pearl cultivation began in the 20th century, with six provinces in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze establishing approximately 53,333 hectares of farming scale. While artificial pearl cultivation techniques were mastered as early as the Song Dynasty, Japan pioneered the industrialization of modern large-scale farming methods. By the late 20th century, Duchang County in Jiangxi Province achieved breakthroughs in freshwater nucleated pearl cultivation, forming a modern industrial belt integrating farming, processing, and trade. This has developed into a pearl and shellfish industry cluster with an output value exceeding 1 billion RMB.
The pearls in this shop comes from the Zhuji, China. All of them are natural growed up and unique.