Freshwater vs. Baroque Pearls – What’s the Difference?

If you’ve been browsing through rings, necklaces or earrings and come across terms like freshwater pearls and baroque pearls, you might’ve wondered—aren’t they the same thing?

Not quite.

These two terms show up together often, and in many cases, a single pearl can be both. But they actually refer to two very different things. At Dernholt Stockholm, we use both words to describe the natural elements in many of our pieces—especially our signature Lotus Baroque Pearl Ring. So here’s a simple breakdown to clear things up.

Freshwater Pearls – Where They’re Grown

Let’s start with freshwater pearls. These are pearls that form inside mussels that live in rivers, lakes, or ponds—most often in China, where the vast majority of the world’s freshwater pearls are produced.

What makes them unique is the environment. Freshwater mussels can grow multiple pearls at once, and they tend to form in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. That means they feel a bit more organic, less polished, and often—more character-rich than the perfectly round pearls you might associate with old-school jewelry.

They’re also solid nacre, which means they’re durable and can take a bit more everyday wear. That’s why we love using them in rings, where the pearl is more exposed to knocks and movement.

Baroque Pearls – How They Look

Now, baroque pearls are a totally different story. This has nothing to do with where the pearl was formed—but everything to do with how it looks.

A baroque pearl is irregular, asymmetrical, unpredictable. It doesn’t follow a perfect round shape. It might have a slight curve, a ripple, or a wild, sculptural silhouette that makes it completely unique. You’ll never find two baroque pearls that look exactly alike—and that’s the whole charm.

Baroque pearls can come from both freshwater and saltwater sources. But since freshwater mussels tend to produce more irregular shapes, many freshwater pearls are also baroque by default.

So What’s the Difference?

To keep it simple:
“Freshwater” tells you where the pearl comes from.
“Baroque” tells you what it looks like.

They aren’t opposites. They work together. In fact, the pearls we use in pieces like the Lotus Baroque Pearl Gold-Plated Ring are baroque freshwater pearls—naturally grown in water, and each with its own raw, asymmetrical shape that gives the ring its soul.

Why It Matters

Understanding the materials behind your jewelry helps you connect with it in a different way. A baroque pearl isn’t just decorative—it carries the story of how it formed, slowly and unpredictably, over time. A freshwater pearl isn’t just a more affordable version of its saltwater cousin—it’s a gem with texture, history, and earthiness.

When you wear a piece like the Lotus Ring, you’re not wearing a trend—you’re wearing something shaped by nature, then set in metal by hand. That mix of wild and intentional is what gives it life.

Want to explore more about the materials behind our designs, or see how baroque pearls are showing up in modern men’s style? Let us know—we’d love to share more.

Or better yet, take a closer look at the ring that started the conversation:
Lotus Baroque Pearl Gold-Plated Ring.