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Cultured · Freshwater

Biwa pearls

Japan's historic freshwater pearls from Lake Biwa, the country's largest lake. Culturing began in 1935, output reached six to seven tons a year in the 1970s, and supply faltered from about 1982.

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Illustration of a typical biwa pearl. Move your pointer to turn the light.

At a glance

WaterFreshwater
MolluskHyriopsis schlegelii
WhereLake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture, Japan
ShapesMostly non-round (over 99% non-nucleated)
How it startsOver 99% non-nucleated
Growing timeCommercial culturing from 1935; supply unstable from about 1982
WhitePinkLavender

Biwa pearls come from Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, Japan's largest lake. Commercial freshwater pearl culturing started there in 1935 using the mussel Hyriopsis schlegelii (GIA).

A short history

  • 1935: commercial freshwater culturing begins at Lake Biwa.
  • 1970s: output reaches about six to seven tons a year, and more than 99% of it is non-nucleated.
  • Around 1982: supply becomes unstable because of overharvesting, pollution and poor growth of young mussels.
  • 1962: as Biwa's mussel stocks declined, some farms had already moved to Lake Kasumigaura, where Kasumiga pearls are grown today.

All facts from GIA's study of Lake Kasumigaura pearls.

Buying "Biwa" pearls today

Lake Biwa's supply became unstable around 1982, so if a seller says pearls came from Lake Biwa, ask how they know and when they were grown.

What people paid for biwa pearls

Real prices readers paid, not estimates. A figure appears only once at least 5 people have reported the same kind of piece, and we never show individual reports.

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Frequently asked questions

What are Biwa pearls?

Freshwater pearls cultured at Lake Biwa, Japan, from 1935. Output peaked at six to seven tons a year in the 1970s, almost all non-nucleated, and supply became unstable from about 1982 (GIA).

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Sources

Checked October 22, 2026. How we check our facts.