One of the organic gemstones, freshwater pearls are precicely what they sound like - pearls which are taken from freshwater mussels and other mollosks.  Almost always cultivated, freshwater pearls come in a wide range of colors and shapes.  Some of the colors are natural, but most are dyed.

When I first began beading, I took a gamble and purchased a one-pound bag of mixed freshwater pearls - all shapes, sizes and colors.  Many were unusuable, but more than two years later I'm still picking the odd pearl out of what's left for a bracelet or pair of earrings.  The range and depth of color was stunning and I still find myself just looking through the remaing pearls, watching the play of colors against each other and more than one idea has been prompted by a color combination that catches my eye.