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. About two percent of the crop was of a finer quality and better shape. Gradually, Chinese pearl farmers learned how to produce more and more of this better quality freshwater cultured pearl by increasing the size, improving the shape and improving the luster, or surface sheen, of the gems. Because Chinese freshwater cultured pearls have a fairly long growth period-up to six years-results of improved techniques can take a while before they're apparent. Yet according to GIA, the quality of Chinese freshwater cultured pearls has been steadily and slowly improving