As soon as we got to town I noticed pearls were being sold everywhere. Black ,Pink and White. They are pretty inexpensive so I questioned if they are real .Honestly I'm still not sure . When I got back home I compared them to the fresh water pearls being sold here from China and I really can't see a difference. Most are not strung ( knotted between)but the young women I met at a little outside shop agreed to string 4 sets for me. She did a wonderful job and everyone I gave them to are thrilled!!