What are the four major types of cultured whole pearls?

The four major types of cultured whole pearls are indeed Akoya, South Sea, Freshwater, and Tahitian.

Akoya pearls are primarily cultivated in Japanese oysters and are renowned for their high luster and classic round shape. They're typically smaller in size compared to other types of cultured pearls.

South Sea pearls come from larger oysters found in the warm waters of Australia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. They are appreciated for their size, which can be significantly larger than Akoya pearls, and for their rich, satiny luster, often exhibiting natural golden or white colors.

Freshwater pearls are cultivated in freshwater mollusks, primarily in China. These pearls are known for their diverse shapes, sizes, and colors, which result from the varying conditions of freshwater environments and the fact that numerous pearls can be formed within a single mollusk.

Tahitian pearls are produced by the black-lipped oyster and are famous for their unique dark hues, which include shades of gray, black, and green. Their exotic colors and larger size make them highly sought after in the market.

The other options include either less recognized types of pearls or use geographical identifiers that don't align with the major classifications of cultured whole pearls. Thus, option A accurately lists the