Free chart · PDF
Types of pearls chart
A printable chart of pearl types: freshwater, akoya, Tahitian, South Sea, golden, keshi, Edison, Kasumiga, Sea of Cortez and mabe, with sizes and natural colors.
1 page, US Letter size, 41 KB. Free, no sign-up.
Sources: GIA (Gemological Institute of America) pearl descriptions. Checked October 2026.
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Printing tips
- Print at actual size (100%), not "fit to page", so the lines stay a usable size.
- It is laid out for US Letter paper and also fits A4.
- Turn on "background graphics" if the colors come out pale.
What is on this chart
| Pearl | Water | Mollusk | Typical size | Natural colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater pearls | Freshwater | Hyriopsis mussels | 6 to 12 mm (Edison pearls 11 to 16 mm or more) | white, pink, purple, lavender, peach, yellow |
| Akoya pearls | Saltwater | Pinctada fucata | 6 to 9 mm | white, cream, silvery blue |
| Tahitian pearls | Saltwater | Pinctada margaritifera | 8 to 14 mm | charcoal, gray, silver, green, brown |
| South Sea pearls | Saltwater | Pinctada maxima | 8 to 18 mm | white, silver |
| Golden South Sea pearls | Saltwater | Pinctada maxima | 8 to 18 mm | champagne, golden |
| Keshi pearls | Saltwater (and freshwater) | Akoya, Pinctada maxima and Pinctada margaritifera oysters; GIA also accepts freshwater mussels | Small | white, silver, golden, charcoal |
| Edison pearls | Freshwater | Hyriopsis mussels | About 11 to 16 mm or more | white, pink, purple, peach |
| Kasumiga pearls | Freshwater | Hybrid of Hyriopsis schlegelii and Hyriopsis cumingii | Typically 11 to 15 mm | white, pink, purple, yellow, orange, brown |
| Sea of Cortez pearls | Saltwater | Pteria sterna | About 7 to 11 mm (2001 to 2002 harvests) | gray, brown |
| Mabe pearls | Saltwater | Mostly Pteria penguin, grown in Japan | Varies (half-round) | white, silver, silvery blue |
