Black-Lip Oyster: An oyster of unusual size and diameter found in the South Pacific, from which is derived the famous black pearls known in the industry as Tahitian Pearls. Other colors produced by this mollusk, besides black, are silver to light gray, dark gray, orange, gold, green, blue, and purple.

Gold-Lip Oyster: The large oyster found in the waters off Australia, Indonesia, Philippines and Japan, which produces gold-colored South Sea Pearls.

Pinctada Fucata: The industry term for the saltwater mollusk that produces Akoya cultured pearls.

Pinctada Maxima: The industry term for the White-lip oyster that produces South Sea Pearls.

Pinctada Margaritifera: The industry term for the saltwater mollusks that produces Tahitian cultured pearls.

Uniondae Hyriopsis Schlegeli: The freshwater mussel, prevalent in China, which produces a strong pearl with thick nacre and a bright luster. Its pearls come in a palette of colors ranging through plum, lavender, peach, apricot, curry, red pepper, cinnamon, celery and sage.

White-Lip Oyster: Large oysters found in the waters around Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan, and producing good-sized South Sea cultured pearls whose tints include silver-white, pink and cream.