The Ming pearl name comes from the better quality of generic bead nucleated pearls.

Pearl farmers in China began experimenting with growing one small bead of Mother-in-Pearl at a time inside the center of the animal as opposed to the irregularly shaped tissue used in the past. The result of this process was very round Ming Pearls. With more room to expand, Ming Pearls could grow up to 10-16mm, much larger than traditional Freshwater Pearls.