In Reply to: No Freshwater pearls grown in Lombok posted by Freogirl on Saturday, 12. January 2008 at 09:35 Bali Time:
If you'd like to sting your own, you can buy unfinished strands of Chinese fresh water pearls at the bead stores near the Bintang Supermarket in Seminyak. The shop name, if I remember correctly, is Pearls and Gemstones.
Freogirl is correct that ALL the FWP in Bali are from China. The classic test for genuine pearls is to scrape the pearl against your top teeth. Real pearls (cultured or the uncommon natural) will have a grainy, sandy feel. Plastic and glass will feel like, well, plastic or glass.
Just like the Pearls and Gemstones store, I import pearls directly from China. My business sells them in the US.