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Pearl colors

Purple and lavender pearls

Lavender and purple are natural freshwater colors.

Try this color in Pearl Studio

Illustration. Screens vary, and real pearls change with the light.

Where purple and lavender pearls come from

Lavender and purple are natural freshwater colors. Kasumiga pearls come in purple and purple-red, and purple ones command higher prices (GIA). The quahog clam produces natural non-nacreous pearls in purples. In Tahitian pearls, a deep purple overtone is called aubergine.

Pearl types with this color

Natural or treated?

Strong, saturated purples on inexpensive pearls are usually dyed. Dye can fade in prolonged sunlight and comes off with alcohol or acetone (GIA).

More on pearl treatments, or build this color yourself in Pearl Studio.

Pearls that come in this color

Strands of freshwater pearls on silk, white and dyed blue Freshwater pearls Cultured in Hyriopsis mussels in rivers, lakes and ponds, mostly in China. Usually 6 to 12 mm, in white and s… Kasumiga pearls Rare bead-nucleated freshwater pearls from Lake Kasumigaura, Japan, 60 km northeast of Tokyo. Typically 11 to… Quahog pearls Rare natural, non-nacreous pearls from the northern quahog clam, in white, light gray and purples. Most are l…

Frequently asked questions

Are purple and lavender pearls natural?

They can be. Lavender and purple are natural freshwater colors. Strong, saturated purples on inexpensive pearls are usually dyed.

Questions from readers

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Sources

Checked October 22, 2026.