Japanese Lake Biwa pearl necklace. Natural lustrous pearls. 19 inches long. nlbd2183

This necklace features authentic Japanese Lake Biwa Pearls sourced from a collector's estate. The strand measures 19 inches in length, is hand-knotted on silk, and is finished with a gold-filled clasp. The pearls showcase a beautiful array of soft, natural colors and distinctive baroque shapes. Due to their unique forms, they vary in size, with most measuring between 8 and 11 mm in diameter.  Necklace weight is 23.4 grams.

In the early 20th century, pearl farmers began cultivating freshwater pearls, with the Biwa Pearl gaining recognition as the finest Japanese freshwater pearl. Unfortunately, these exquisite pearls became extinct in the 1980s due to pollution in Lake Biwa. These pearls were purchased in Japan in the 1970s.  Today, "Biwa" pearls refer to their shape and are mainly produced in China. Authentic Japanese Biwa pearls are now quite rare