Cultured pearls can be farmed in either salt or freshwater sources. Saltwater pearls tend to be higher quality, although there are several types of freshwater pearls that are considered high quality too. Freshwater pearls tend to be irregular in shape.

The process used to acquire a pearl usually takes several years. Mollusks can take up to 3 years to reach an age at which they can be implanted with an irritant. The irritant is a surgically implanted bead, called a nucleus, or piece of mother-of-pearl pearl. Once the irritant is in place, it can take another 3 years for the pearl to reach full size. Often, the irritant is rejected, the pearl will be misshapen, or the oyster may die from disease.

At the end of a 5 - 10 year cycle, only 50% of the oysters may have survived. Of the pearls produced, only approximately 5% are of gem quality for jewelry makers. A pearl farmer can spend over $100 for every oyster that is farmed, of which many may produce nothing.