24 Unusual Kite Pearls - Beautiful Luster 16mmPrice is per 15 inch string of these lustrous pearls. Each kite shaped pearl measures about 16mm x 10mm x 5mm about 24 to the strand. Drilled from longest end to other end, ready to thread. Cultured pearls Most pearls these days are cultured. These natural freshwater pearls occur in mussels for the same reason saltwater pearls occur in oysters. Foreign material inside a mussel can't be expelled. To reduce irritation, the mollusk coats the intruder