[glatendresse]

I am grateful to read your correct explanation of "Keshi pearls". Many in our industry do not have the same view of keshi and/or freshwater tissue nucleated cultured pearls AKA "freshwater pearls". It is very clearly stated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that a pearl (natural pearl) is a calcareous concretion which has not been caused or induced by humans. "Keshi pearls" are a bi-product of pearl culture. "Freshwater pearls" are cultured pearls whether they are nucleated with a shell nuclei or tissue graft. I have added quotes around the terms "keshi pearls" and "freshwater pearls", because the FTC clearly states the following: "It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "pearl" to describe, identify, or refer to a cultured pearl unless it is immediately preceded, with equal conspicuousness, by the word "cultured" or "cultivated," or by some other word or phrase of like meaning, so as to indicate definitely and clearly that the product is not a pearl."
Translation: "Keshi pearl" is correctly identified as keshi cultured pearl. "Freshwater pearl" is correctly identified as freshwater cultured pearl. "Akoya pearl" is correcty identified as Akoya cultured pearl. And so on with all pearls that are cultured around the world. I do acknowledge that adding the word cultured to all the varieties of cultured pearls becomes excessive when writing or speaking about pearls, however, it is the correct way. Pearls created by mother nature were here first. And as a dealer of natural pearls, I reinforce the use of this terminology.