The cultivation of Freshwater Pearls began in 1935. Initially Japan was the leader in cultivating the Freshwater Pearl, but sadly due to pollution most of the freshwater lakes Japan could not sustain the lives of the freshwater mollusks. Hence, a majority Freshwater Pearls are now cultivated in the lakes of China in the area of Shanghai. Freshwater pearls are best known for their whimsical shapes and wide variety of sizes and colors. They are created in marine pearl oysters making their surface texture soft and lustrous. They symbolize purity.