Red Nymph Jewelry
The pearl is a valuable gift bestows to us by the nature. As an old saying goes, round as pearls and smooth as jade, meaning rounder pearls are more valuable, however, it’s half true only from this aspect, and the editor will explain from several aspects of the pearl itself , how to pick high-quality pearl in choosing necklace.
Roundness: you should best know round pearls and smooth jade describing rounder pearls are more valuable and with higher collection value. Generally, roundness of seawater pearls is better than that of fresh water ones. Reckless of fresh water pearls are most popular in the market, any necklace made of oblate or elliptical pearl is cheap, semicircular, near-round pearl necklace is inferior in value, while perfect circular pearl necklace is in high value and rare.
Sheen: sheen is the soul of pearl; dull-colored or low-sheen pearls are lack of spirit. Pearls are outcome of calcium carbonate. When light beam emits on nacre surface, it reflects; in choosing pearl necklace, lay pearl necklace on white cloth, when you can see mild sheen overflowing from the pearls; to look against the beam, rainbow-like light rays are visible, inverted image is seen in case of surface sheen of the pearls. For the same level of pearls, seawater pearls is brighter in sheen that fresh water ones.
Color: the color of pearls correlates with the type of pearls. Natural color of fresh water pearls is white, pink and purple in most cases, while most seawater pearls are white, grey and golden. In addition, there is a family of Tahitian pearls, with which maybe you’re not familiar, which is only produced in the salt lake in the south sea of French Polynesia, known for rare value and called Queen’s Pearl and Queen of Pearls. Most Tahitian pearls are dark black and malachite green with fully intoxicating and enticing light rays. South Pacific pearls, shortened as SP pearls, is produced in south pacific regions, respective north sea in Australia, Indonesia and Philippine. As SP pearls are abundant in Australia, they’re often called Australia pearls. The value of pearls here has many levels.
Cleanliness: as pearls are grown in clam, not each pearl surface is smooth and round, rather, it is dotted with shell marks, spots, traces, pits or points. The pearl surface with less flaws is rarer and more valuable. However, it’s impossible for a string of pearl necklace with perfect and flawless pearl, and no flaw is seen from a distance of 0.5m is considered in good quality.
Size: it’s said that “70% pearl, 80% treasure”; generally, 6mm pearls are not fell into the category of jewelry pearls, 7-9mm pearls are the favorite of common consumers, 10mm pearls are rare things, 11mm pearls are SP pearls and Tahitian pearls. Of course, the value of the pearls change with their sizes.
The Importance of Luster in Pearl Quality When Choosing Good Quality Pearls
Understanding the significance of lustre in pearl quality is essential for making informed choices when it comes to these precious gems. Luster, as the measure of light quality reflected from a pearl’s surface, plays a pivotal role in determining both the beauty and value of a pearl. Here are a few things to look out for:
Consistency
High-quality pearls have consistent lustre across the entire surface. Inspect the pearl under different lighting conditions to ensure that the lustre remains constant.
Mirror Test
Hold the pearl close to a mirror and observe if it reflects the image with sharp clarity. A pearl with excellent lustre will reflect a well-defined image.
Comparative Assessment
Compare pearls side by side to get a better sense of their relative lustre. This can help you identify the pearl with superior shine and sheen.
Angle of Reflection
Rotate the pearl and observe how the lustre changes at different angles. High-quality pearls will maintain their shine regardless of the viewing angle.
Light Source
Evaluate pearls under various light sources, including natural daylight, incandescent, and fluorescent lighting. Different lighting conditions can reveal unique aspects of a pearl’s lustre.
Ask for Certification
When purchasing valuable or high-end pearls, ask for a certification from a reputable gemological laboratory. This certification should include information on the pearl’s lustre, among other quality factors.
Trust Your Eye
Ultimately, trust your own perception and instincts. If a pearl’s lustre impresses you and aligns with your preferences, it may be the right choice for you, regardless of technical specifications.
Pearls have been revered as symbols of wealth and sophistication for thousands of years, transcending cultures and continents. The history of these lustrous gems dates back to ancient civilizations, where they were discovered in the Persian Gulf, waters of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and the coastal areas of Japan.
In ancient Rome, pearls were considered the ultimate status symbol, while in mediaeval Europe, they were adorned by royalty and the nobility. The allure of pearls reached its zenith during the Renaissance, a period marked by the lavish use of these gems in jewelry and fashion.
Pearl jewelry has been a popular accessory for centuries, and for good reason. Pearls are timeless, elegant, and versatile. They can be worn with a casual outfit or a formal attire. They add a touch of sophistication to any look. But before you start shopping for pearl jewelry, it’s important to understand what you’re buying.
To make an informed choice when purchasing pearls, it’s essential to know how to assess their quality. Here are a few valuable tips on evaluating pearls based on their surface, nacre thickness, and overall blemishes.
Surface Inspection
The surface of a high-quality pearl should be smooth and lustrous. Minor surface flaws are natural, but a high-quality pearl will have minimal blemishes. Examine the pearl under a light source, rotating it to view it from all angles.
Nacre Quality
The thickness of the nacre, the layer that forms the pearl, is crucial. Thick nacre results in a deeper lustre and ensures the pearl’s durability. Thin nacre may cause the pearl to lose its lustre quickly and even peel or chip.
Checking for Blemishes
While no pearl is without imperfections, excessive blemishes can affect its value. Look for pearls with the fewest visible spots, pits, or cracks. A well-formed pearl with minimal blemishes is a sign of quality.
The 20th century witnessed a significant turning point in the world of pearl jewellery with the advent of cultured pearls. Pioneered by Kokichi Mikimoto in Japan, the technique of pearl culturing revolutionised the industry, making pearls more accessible to a broader audience.
This democratisation of pearls led to an explosion in their popularity, cementing their status as a staple in jewellery collections worldwide.
Choosing the right vendor should balance pearl selection, quality, price and above all, excellent Customer Service.
While some venders definitely do carry beautiful quality pearls, doing a little bit of homework can save you THOUSANDS by avoiding the high premiums charged by luxury brands without sacrificing quality.
On the flip side, shopping by price alone without knowing what you’re buying (or whom you’re buying it from!) is a one-way ticket to frustration. Taking the plunge on an anonymous vendor could net you a strand of potato pearls for way more than they’re worth and no way to return them.
Fine pearls are one of the least understood and most niche gemstones in the jewelry world – even professional jewelers often run into trouble identifying pearl types, understanding grading scales and pearl value.
It’s not surprising then that there are a number of questions that need to be answered before taking the plunge and investing hundreds or even thousands of dollars into a fine pearl necklace or pair of pearl earrings.
A Few Last Minute Pearl Buying Tips …
Choose a higher quality over size. We recommend that if you’re choosing between an Elite Collection 7.0-8.0mm strand and a AA+ quality 9.0-10.0mm necklace, you’ll find that the higher luster, smoother surface quality and all around prettier pearls will be the better value.
Brands have premiums attached to them that can add as much as 300-400% to the price. PurePearls.com sources from the same pearl farms as many big name brands without the costly overhead associated with big box store names.
The most popular necklace length is the 18-inch, Princess Length. This necklace will drape over the collar bones, and hang about 1.5-2-inches below the hollow of the throat.
The most popular pearl earring sizes range from 6.0-8.0mm – stick within 7.0-8.0mm sizes for adult women, and 6.0-7.0mm sizes for petites and “first pearls” gifts.
Real pearls are examples of nature’s beautiful magic. They are formed when a mollusk (oyster, clam, mussel) has an irritant enter its shell; in defense, the mollusk produces layers of fluid (known as nacre, pronounced NAY-kur) around the irritant. The process takes between 5-10 years and results in the beautiful luminous beads we cherish as pearls.
There are three types of pearls to consider when shopping for pearl jewelry: natural, cultured and imitation.
Natural Pearls
Natural pearls, those that form organically in nature, are extremely rare – very few are on the market today. The best source for natural pearls was the Persian Gulf, but when oil was discovered around the 1930s, the Gulf waters could no longer produce pearls. Today, traditional fishing for natural pearls is still practiced in India, but the pearls harvested are often small and expensive.
Cultured Pearls
Cultured pearls make up the majority of pearls on the market today and are still considered to be natural. “Culturing” dates back to the late 19th century and uses the same process as natural pearls, except that the irritant is surgically placed into the mollusk and are protected in “pearl farms” while the pearl develops. While humans can start the pearl process, it is still up to nature to determine the quality of the final pearl. Of the pearls created after a five-to-ten year farming cycle, only 5% meet the high quality standards required for fine jewelry, according to the Cultured Pearl Association of America.
Imitation Pearls
Imitation pearls have no connection to the natural pearl making process. They are made from glass beads that are dipped into a solution made from fish scales. While most have a high luster, it may eventually fade.
How to Choose a Pearl
When it’s all boiled down, the best advice we can give you about how to pick a pearl is to choose the one that makes you feel like a million bucks when you’re wearing it. Here are some things to look for when you’re pearl shopping.
Size
Pearls are measured in millimeters, typically ranging from 5 to 16mm. Freshwater pearls are usually the smallest followed by Akoya pearls which are slightly larger. Tahitian pearls are, on average, the second largest size. South Sea pearls are generally the largest. All pearl sizes look wonderful when paired with other jewels or even worn on their own.
Shape
Perfectly round pearls are the rarest shape, but pearl-lovers also favor semi-round and baroque pearls for pendants, earrings and accent stones.
Color
Pearls come in a variety of colors, but their comparative value is simply a matter of taste. Try holding different pearl colors against your skin to bring out subtle secondary tones.
Luster
When light enters a pearl, it reflects back through the layers of nacre to produce the rich glow we call luster. The easiest way to assess the luster of a pearl is to look for your reflection in it—a quality luster with many layers of nacre will reflect your face back at you.
Surface
While smooth pearl surfaces are prized by many, even the most valuable pearls may have a few blemishes—these small marks reflect the natural beauty of the growth process.
Pearl strands are the most classic piece of pearl jewelry, perfect for every-day or special occasions. Because of their versatility, picking a high quality strand is important to ensure the longevity of the piece. Pearls should not be bunching or twisting, knots should be shaped uniformly and pushed snugly against both sides of every pearl and the silk cord should match the pearl color as closely as possible.
Brief History of Pearls
Pearls have been revered for centuries, and their first use as jewelry isn’t documented. Many jewelry historians believe that pearls were found by ancient fish-eating tribes along India’s coasts when they were opening oysters for food. Ancient cultures in India, Egypt and China all valued pearls for their beauty. Pearl’s popularity moved throughout the region and soon the world, with many historic societies valuing these gems. For centuries, pearls were reserved for royalty.
The more recent invention of cultured pearls has made these beautiful gems more accessible to everyone. Cultured pearls allow for the large-scale creation of glistening gems and increased affordability.
Famous Pearl Jewelry
Pearls have remained a cultural phenomenon, with people from all walks of life wearing these gems. Audrey Hepburn famously wore strings of pearls in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, making the pearl and little black dress combo iconic. Rene Russo wore a pearl station necklace in 1996’s Tin Cup, linking the jewelry style to the namesake film. More recently, pearls have been worn by Kamala Harris and even baseball player Joc Pederson.
Natural vs Cultured Pearls
Natural and cultured pearls are both made in mollusks when an irritant finds it way inside. The mollusk secretes a protective fluid that, over time, forms layers that create a shining pearl. For natural pearls, this happens without human intervention. In cultured pearls, this happens when someone puts the irritant, aka the nucleus, directly into the mollusk. The formation of the pearl is still up to the mollusk and cannot be controlled. This makes even cultured pearls unique and beautiful in their individuality.
How to Clean & Store Pearls
Apply cosmetics, hair sprays and perfume before putting on any pearl jewelry. When you remove the jewelry, wipe it carefully with a soft cloth to remove any traces of these substances.
You can wash your pearl jewelry with mild soap and water. Do not clean cultured pearls with any chemicals, abrasives or solvents. These substances can damage your pearls.
Always lay cultured pearl strands flat to dry. Hanging a strand may stretch the threads.
Do not toss your cultured pearl jewelry carelessly into a purse, bag or jewel box. A pearl’s surface is soft and can be scratched by hard metal edges or by the harder gemstones of other jewelry pieces.
Place cultured pearls in a chamois bag or wrap them in tissue when putting them away.
Cosmetics, perspiration, oils and ordinary wear weaken and stretch the threads on which the pearls are strung. Bring your pearls back to your jeweler for restringing once a year. Make certain the pearls are strung with a knot between each pearl. This will prevent loss of pearls if the string should break.
Professional jewelers can spot an imitation pearl from cultured pearls and will not sell an imitation marked as real.
One way you can test a pearl is to rub it against another pearl: imitation pearls will glide across each other, but cultured pearls will feel gritty because of the layers of nacre.
Many cultured pearls undergo treatments to enhance their luster or alter their color, but this does not make them any less real. A professional jeweler is trained to understand and explain these treatments, which are important to disclose as they can affect the pearl jewelry’s value. Trust your pearl jewelry purchase with a jewelry store known for its educated staff and ethical standards
Pearl grading is the process of evaluating a pearl’s quality based on a set of criteria. There are different systems of pearl grading, but one of the most commonly used is the AAA-A system, which assigns a grade to each pearl based on its lustre, surface quality, shape, and size.
Lustre is the most important factor in pearl grading. It refers to the quality of light reflected by the pearl’s surface. A pearl with high lustre will appear to have a deep, glowing sheen, while a pearl with low lustre will appear dull and lacklustre. Pearls with high lustre are typically more valuable than those with low lustre.
Surface quality is another important factor in pearl grading. The surface of a pearl should be smooth and free of any blemishes or imperfections. Even small blemishes can significantly affect the value of a pearl. Pearls with smooth, unblemished surfaces are typically more valuable than those with noticeable imperfections.
Shape is also considered when grading pearls. While perfectly round pearls are the most valuable, there are many other shapes of pearls, including baroque (irregular) and drop-shaped pearls. As long as the shape is consistent and pleasing to the eye, a pearl can still be considered high quality.
Finally, size is also considered when grading pearls. Generally speaking, larger pearls are more valuable than smaller pearls, although this also depends on the other factors mentioned above. The average size of a pearl is between 6-7mm, but pearls can range in size from tiny seed pearls to large, statement-making pearls.
An important factor to consider when choosing pearls is whether to choose natural or cultured pearls.
Natural pearls are extremely rare and valuable, as they are formed by chance when an irritant, such as a grain of sand or a small parasite, becomes trapped inside an oyster or mussel. The oyster or mussel then secretes layers of nacre around the irritant, forming a pearl. Natural pearls are extremely difficult to find and are typically very small in size.
Cultured pearls, on the other hand, are produced by intentionally introducing an irritant into an oyster or mussel. The oyster or mussel then secretes layers of nacre around the irritant, forming a pearl. While the process is not entirely natural, cultured pearls can still be of very high quality and are much more affordable than natural pearls.
When choosing between natural and cultured pearls, it’s important to consider your budget and your personal preferences. While natural pearls are extremely rare and valuable, they are also very expensive and may not be practical for everyday wear. Cultured pearls, on the other hand, are much more affordable and come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and colours, making them a great choice for everyday wear or special occasions.
When choosing pearls, it’s important to consider your personal preferences and the occasion for which they’ll be worn. Here are some of the factors to consider:
Lustre: If you’re looking for pearls that will stand out and make a statement, choose pearls with high lustre. If you prefer a more understated look, choose pearls with lower lustre.
Surface quality: If you’re looking for pearls that will be worn often and subject to wear and tear, choose pearls with fewer surface imperfections. If you’re looking for pearls that will only be worn occasionally or for special occasions, you may be willing to accept more surface imperfections.
Shape: Consider the shape of the pearls and how it will complement the design of the jewellery. Round pearls are classic and versatile, but other shapes like baroque and drop-shaped pearls can add interest and uniqueness to a piece.
Size: Consider the size of the pearls in relation to the design of the jewellery and the occasion for which it will be worn. For formal events, larger pearls may be more appropriate, while smaller pearls may be more suitable for everyday wear.
When it comes to choosing pearls, it’s important to understand the different types of pearls that are available. Here are some of the most common types of pearls:
Akoya Pearls. Akoya pearls are a type of saltwater pearl that is produced by the Akoya oyster. They are typically small to medium in size, ranging from 2mm to 10mm, and are known for their high lustre and round shape. Akoya pearls are often used in classic pearl jewellery designs and are a popular choice for bridal jewellery.
South Sea Pearls. South Sea pearls are some of the largest and most valuable pearls in the world. They are produced by the Pinctada maxima oyster, which is native to the South Seas. South Sea pearls are typically white, silver, or gold in colour and range in size from 8mm to 20mm. They are known for their high lustre and are often used in high-end jewellery designs.
Tahitian Pearls. Tahitian pearls, also known as black pearls, are produced by the Pinctada margaritifera oyster, which is native to French Polynesia. They come in a variety of colours, including black, grey, green, and blue, and range in size from 8mm to 16mm. Tahitian pearls are known for their unique, exotic beauty and are often used in statement pieces.
Freshwater Pearls. Freshwater pearls are produced by freshwater mussels and are typically smaller than saltwater pearls, ranging in size from 2mm to 12mm. They come in a variety of shapes, including round, oval, and baroque, and are known for their affordability and versatility. Freshwater pearls are often used in more casual, everyday jewellery designs.
Freshwater pearls are generally considered to be a sustainable type of pearl. This is because they are typically farmed in a more environmentally friendly way. Freshwater pearl farming often involves the use of natural bodies of water, such as lakes and rivers, which helps to minimise the impact on the environment.
Pearls are considered nature’s gemstones and are perfect for inclusion in fine jewelry. Harvested from oysters, pearls are chosen in a similar fashion to other gemstones, including diamonds. When looking to purchase a pearl, follow the following seven tips in order to find the best pearl for your money.
1.) Color
Although you may think of pearls being creamy or off-white in color, pearls actually come in a wide array of colors. Pearls can range in color from rare black pearls to pure white pearls, and every color in between. By far, the most popular colors for pearls are white, cream, yellow and pink. Tahitian pearls are black, blue, grey, or even silver in color, and tend to be more expensive than the afore-mentioned lighter colors, but it should be kept in mind that no color is considered better than another. When choosing a color of a pearl, consider your personal tastes and even skin tone to determine what color of pearl is the best pick for you.
When examining pearls, place the pearls on a white or off-white background to best see the true color. Often, stores will place the pearls on a black velvet tray to provide the most impact, but the dark color could prevent you from seeing the true quality of the color.
Most pearls are natural colors, but some are dyed. Dyed pearls are generally less expensive than naturally colored pearls, so take the color into careful consideration when buying.
2.) Luster
The luster of the pearl is the quality of the reflective surface on the outermost layer of the pearl. This luster is quite important when choosing a quality pearl, and generally speaking, the higher the luster is an indication of a higher quality pearl.
3.) Coating
Pearls are made of different layers of nacre, a solution the oyster secretes to protect its delicate interior from an irritant, often a simple grain of sand. The coating of the pearl is the outermost layer of nacre and should be thick enough to protect the pearl. Usually, coating and luster go hand in hand, with the thickness of the coating directly affecting the quality of the luster. Pearls with a thin coating are more likely to chip, are not as durable, and often appear dull.
4.) Surface
The surface of the pearl should be smooth without any ridges, bumps, or pits. The higher quality of a pearl will have a smooth surface that will enable the light the light to properly reflect and showcase the color and luster of the pearl. Also, avoid any pearls with blemishes on the surface.
5.) Shape
Although most pearls are round, that is not the only shape of pearl available. That being said, round pearls should indeed to completely round. The different shapes of pearls available are:
Round / Semi round / Off round /Baroque
Generally speaking, round pearls are worth the most, with semi round, off round, and Baroque being valued less with each category. Usually cultured pearls are considered round with freshwater pearls more odd shaped.
6.) Size
Size in pearls is measured in millimeters. In pearl necklaces where each pearl is approximately the same size, the measurement is limited to a range, such as 7×7.5mm, meaning the pearls in the strand are between seven and seven and one-half millimeters in size. Usually, the larger the size of the pearl, the more expensive the price tag. However, the other factors still come into play.
7.) Setting
Pearls are set by drilling through the pearl to tie on a strand for a necklace or top mounted for other pieces of jewelry. When choosing the setting, ensure the setting itself is of good quality and the pearl is appropriately set. This is critical when choosing a necklace, since a pearl that is drilled off center will cause it to hang awkwardly on the strand.
When you buy natural or cultured pearls, you should consider the following 5 factors – Lustre, Surface, Shape, Size and Colour.
LUSTRE
Lustre is an intense glow within the pearl as a result of nacre quality. Lustre is the most important of the 5 factors because it’s the quality that’s most visible. A pearl’s price is greatly affected by the grading of the lustre. As nacre thickness increases, so does the quality and durability of the pearl.
The depth of the nacre coating depends on the type of creature involved as well, the water it lives in, and how long the intruder is left in place before it is removed.
When picking out pearls, look at the clarity of images that are reflected in the pearl’s surface. A fine pearl will reflect your image like a mirror, also the light seems to glow warmly from inside.
SURFACE
Look at the surface of the pearl. Fewer surface imperfections indicate a higher quality, more valuable pearl. However even the most high quality ones, subtle blemishes and tiny marks are part of a pearl’s natural texture and proof of its genuine origin.
SHAPE
Round – traditionally the most highly favoured and valuable. Before cultured pearls were produced, it could take years to make a matching necklace with natural pearls. A perfect round shape pearl will have the highest grading value while slight off-round imperfections will have a lower grading.
Oval – looks like an egg. They look lovely strung end to end.
Button – looks like a slightly flattened round pearl. They can be strung into necklaces but more often used in single pendants or earrings.
Teardrop, Drop or Pear – most often seen in earrings, pendants, or as a center pearl in a necklace.
Baroque – irregularly shaped pearls. They are often the least expensive category of pearls, but are unique and often quite beautiful. They are usually seen in necklaces and sometimes earrings. Purchasing baroque shapes is a great starting place for your collection.
Circled – characterized by concentric ridges, or rings, around the body of the pearl.
Rice – look like rice crispies and are usually used in mass amounts on twisted strands or with other stones.
SIZE
Size of cultural pearls are measured in millimetres (diametre). Generally, the larger the higher the price because large pearls are more difficult to cultivate. However size does not always affect the “quality” and value of cultured pearls.
The Akoya pearl generally ranges from 3mm to 10mm. South Sea pearls are from 8mm and can be as large as 18mm. 7mm-7.5mm is the most common size.
COLOUR
Pearls vary widely in colour, based on the type of oyster that produces them. The rarer the shade, the more valuable the pearl. Colours range from cream, pink and grey to black, green and blue. White and pink rosé are among the most popular colours, peacock green and gold are among the rarest South Sea shades. For freshwater can be peach, black (which are dyed), lavender, white or pink. Colour choice is a matter of personal preference, but always look for rich color.
We strongly recommend that, if you want a perfectly matching set, buy pearl earrings and bracelets at the same time as a necklace. It’s quite difficult to find the same colour.
GRADING SYSTEM
Grade AAA
The AAA grade pearl has a brilliant shine and superior lustre. The shape of the pearl is near perfection as they are visibly round with the matching of pearls in pearl necklaces or bracelets that are extremely consistent. The near lack of surface imperfections is barely noticeable even in the lighter colors and white pearls.
Grade AA and AA+
Grade AA and AA+ The shape will be much closer to a spherical shape while the lustre is still excellent. Any imperfections on the surface of the pearl will be insignificant.
Grade A
An “A” Grade will have fair lustre with some irregularity in the spherical shape. As the marks on the surface of the pearl are noticeable but small, these can be seen even with the untrained eye.
How to Choose Pearls with these Six-Step Process
STEP 1: UNDERSTAND THE VARIETY OF PEARLS AVAILABLE- Learn about pearl quality and how to identify different kinds of pearls, including Akoya, South Sea, Tahitian and freshwater. Find out a bit more about how the different type of pearl itself affects value and which is in your budget.
STEP 2: LEARN HOW TO IDENTIFY QUALITY – There are more things that determine quality than just the type of pearl you buy. Pearls can cost more based on their size, color, luster and general surface appearance.
STEP 3: CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE PEARL SIZE- Pearl size is an important consideration with regard to both budget (of course, the bigger the better) as well as appearance.
STEP 4: CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE NECKLACE LENGTH – One of the most important steps to learning how to buy a pearl necklace is to know which length you prefer and to understand the common lengths.
STEP 5: LINK PEARL QUALITY TO MARKET VALUE- Are you getting ripped off? Compare the pearl jewelry you’re after to current market prices to ensure that you’re paying the right price.
STEP 6: PURCHASE A PEARL NECKLACE AT WHOLESALE PRICES- Only purchase from a company offers the world’s finest pearls at wholesale prices.
I am sure that the majority of women in our generation own pearls. And when we buy something new, it’s either for a wedding/graduation gift or because we want to update our look by wearing contemporary and even edgy pearl jewelry. We also buy pearls when traveling.
At our age, we are mature, educated, and experienced women. Thus, we want to know what we are getting for our money. Consequently, many of us prefer quality over quantity. And when we invest money in jewelry, including pearl jewelry, we want to get both value and beauty.
If you buy a piece of pearl jewelry for yourself, for your daughter or granddaughter, you want it to be worn with pleasure and to be transferred as an heirloom.
Moreover, even if you buy pearls at a well-known jeweler, it is still fun to discuss the excellence and flaws of a piece of pearl jewelry and, eventually, choose the most beautiful one at a good price.
That is why it is logical to know how to buy pearl jewelry.
Which pearls have value? Are they going to last long? How should you choose pearls? What criteria should you be looking for? These are some of the questions that matter.
When you know what a pearl is, it becomes easy to remember what to look for regarding quality and peculiarities.
Pearls are the only gems growing in a living organism, a type of mollusk. We call this mollusk an oyster, if it grows in saltwater, or a mussel, when it grows in freshwater.
This mollusk, as it lives in the water, may be invaded by a foreign body – a parasite, a virus, or a microorganism. Protecting itself, the mollusk tries to get rid of the intruder by secreting a crystalline substance called nacre. Nacre’s quality, its luster, determines the beauty of pearls.
Layer after layer, this nacre is deposited around the intruder. Voila! a pearl is born.
When you know how to shop for pearls the right way, you can rest easy knowing you’re getting 100 percent genuine, high-quality gems. The thing is that pearls, like their price tags, vary more than many other precious items on the market. You have affordable freshwater cultured pearls that are perfect for first-time pearl buyers all the way up to perfectly uniform, investment-grade golden pearl necklaces that would charm any serious pearl collector. Thus, it’s important to know what you’re getting and what you’re paying for. The good news is that you’ve already checked off one of the hardest parts about pearl buying – finding a reputable dealer.
Given the speed in which things seem to happen today, it is almost incongruous to find that pearls have been cultured and harvested basically the same way for centuries. The creation of a pearl is remarkably simple to understand, but fairly complex to create.
Pearls are formed when an irritant, such as a piece of sand, becomes lodged in the shell of an oyster. Sensing the object, the oyster deposits layers of a semi‐translucent substance called “nacre” around the intruder, where it builds up over time. It takes years to create a pearl of decent size and perfectly round shapes are rare.
All pearls used in Zales pearl jewelry are cultured. This means that while they are genuine pearls made from natural materials, the pearls themselves are cultivated in pearl farms and the process is overseen and facilitated by humans.
Cultured freshwater pearls are harvested when they reach 4.0‐14.0mm in size. Freshwater pearls come in a broad variety of colours. Many pearls are bleached to produce white colouration, or dyed to mimic the gray or golden hues of other pearls. Because pearls are so porous, dyes are absorbed deep into the pearl and are relatively permanent. Dyeing of pearls has become widely accepted and dyed pearls achieve a rich depth of colour that generally can’t be found in nature.
Tahitian pearls, sometimes called black pearls, are cultivated in the black lip oyster in the warm salt waters around the islands of French Polynesia, near Tahiti. Like other pearl varieties, Tahitian pearls are grown by the insertion of a piece bead into the oyster. A piece of mantle tissue from a donor mollusc is inserted with the bead, which influences the colour of the pearl being produced. The oyster can produce pearls as large as 14.0mm, although 8.0‐10.0mm is more common. While Tahitian pearls are called black pearls, they actually range from light grey to very dark grey.
Cultured Tahitian pearls are available in a wide variety of shapes and colours. While most are black or white, many Tahitian pearls contain various undertones and overtones of green, pink, blue, silver and yellow. The intensity of these colours has a strong effect on their worth, with deeper, more evenly coloured pearls considered the most rare and valuable. Tahitian pearls that exhibit a variety of hues are called “peacock pearls” and are among the most treasured.
Young women in their 20s often start their collection with shorter strands and smaller pearls which fit near the base of the throat. Consider the lengths to optimize fashion look.
Women in their 30s and over may prefer the fashion impact of longer lengths and larger pearls, which add character with beautiful reflection to the face. we recommend for their versatility, as they can be doubled or tripled around the neck.
Longer strands of bigger pearls make a more dramatic fashion statement; shorter strands, while classic and elegant, can easily be dressed “up” or “down” for casual occasions. So if you’re sporty, choose shorter; sophisticated, choose long. Opt for the mid-length Princess strand, which suits every lifestyle and body type.
Akoya pearls are known for their color, shape and most of all their luster. Luster is the quantity and quality of light that reflects from the surface of the pearl. This is the most important factor in choosing an akoya pearl necklace. It’s what makes the pearls shine. It’s also a proof-positive indicator of whether the pearls spent enough time in their mother oyster. Do you remember the part about a seller’s reputation?
Akoya pearl oysters are seeded with a perfect round bead and put back into the water for (hopefully) a period of 1.5-2 years. But many (too many) farmers harvest after only a few months. The pearls might look similar in the beginning, but they won’t last more than a couple of years.
The finest akoya pearls are called “hanadama” by the trade. Wait! Does this mean you can comparison price shop hanadama grade pearls? Not so much, unfortunately. It is still subjective and even when graded by a laboratory, there is a wide range. It comes down to reputation once again.
I should mention this side note about akoya pearls. Nearly all akoya are perfectly round and white, but exotic natural-color blues, silver-blues, golds and baroques exist. These are considered very rare and you will have a very hard time finding them in a jewelry store.
The most popular size of akoya pearl necklace is 7-7.5 mm, while 8-8.5 mm takes a close second. Unless you’re purchasing a strand for a young lady, I would caution against going much smaller.
Let’s begin with pearl grading. If you’ve spent much time browsing stores and other websites, you’ve probably seen grading scales that appear to be all over the place. Some companies grade with letters, others grade with numbers and some companies don’t post any grades at all. It doesn’t make sense, does it? Well there is a reason.
You’re probably familiar with the four C’s of diamond grading: cut, color, carat weight and clarity. In pearl grading, there are seven value factors. They include size, shape, color, luster, surface quality, nacre quality and matching. But here’s the catch! Unlike diamonds, there is no industry standard for grading pearls.
What does this mean for you? Simple. You cannot comparison shop by grade alone. A pearl necklace graded AAA by one retailer might only be worth 1/10th the value of a necklace graded the same by another. Pearl grading is subjective and every company selling pearls (on the planet) grades differently.
What you can use for comparison shopping is reputation. If shopping online, Google is your best friend in this regard. You can quickly determine whether a pearl seller is known to offer fine quality at an affordable value, and whether they stand behind their products. Legitimate retailers will have a lot written about them online.
Have you been to Tahiti in French Polynesia? If so, I am sure you will agree it is one of the most exotic vacation destinations. The pearls that grow there are no less exotic. They are often called “black pearls,” but in reality, Tahitian pearls exhibit a rainbow of colors. The most popular is dark green.
I have a particular affinity for Tahitian pearls. Over the years, I’ve spent time in some of the remotest parts of French Polynesia. On one trip, I brought a film crew to a pearl farm and shot a 20-minute documentary. That documentary won first place at the International Family Film Festival.
If you are considering a Tahitian pearl necklace, I’m sure you can spare 20 minutes to watch this. Afterwards, you will know more about Tahitian pearls than 99% of GIA graduate jewelers.
Freshwater pearls have been around nearly as long as akoya, but have never been considered quite as valuable, even though they are more “pearl” than akoya. How so? Freshwater pearls are traditionally grown without a bead. They are 100% nacre (pearl). Why are they considered less valuable? A freshwater shell can grow dozens of pearls at a time. Most akoya oysters only grow one or two at a time.
If you’ve seen freshwater pearls in a store, you probably think freshwater pearls are all weird shapes and not very shiny. This is most often the case. They aren’t as round as akoya because they don’t have a bead in the center. But fine freshwater pearls do exist. The finest, like those we refer to as “freshadama,” are nearly indistinguishable from fine akoya pearls in shape, color and luster.
If this is the first strand of pearls for you or someone you’re shopping for, consider freshwater. Not only do they offer the akoya look at a lower price, they also commonly grow in natural pastel colors. You’re only going to find those colors (naturally) in freshwater pearls.
Fine quality freshwater pearls are almost always sorted in half millimeter sizes, and this makes a big difference in value. If you were to compare a strand of 7-8 mm pearls with a strand measuring 7.5-8 mm (our most popular), the latter would be noticeably larger, shinier and more round.
First let’s start with the biggest misconception people have when they first begin their search for the perfect pearl necklace. You want a strand of cultured pearls. Trust me. You don’t want a strand of natural pearls. Pearl farming, or the practice of inducing pearl oysters to grow pearls, replaced the natural pearl trade a full century ago. Natural pearls do still exist, but a fine strand may cost you more than a million dollars.
There are four basic varieties of cultured pearls commonly available today: akoya pearls, freshwater pearls, Tahitian pearls and South Sea pearls. Each offers you something different and each can be magnificently beautiful.
What are the different types of pearls? Which ones are the most precious? When looking to treat yourself to some of these magnificent glow balls it’s good to go by an established pearl guide. Traditionally five criteria determine the quality of the pearls, which in accordance with the most authoritative pearl grading system are graded between A and AAA, AAA being the best quality.
Shape, perfectly round pearls are still the most expensive, though many more beautiful shapes are formed
Lustre, the surface/nacre of the pearl, the more metallic and mirror like the surface is the better-quality pearl
Colour, the evenness in colour of the pearl surface
Size is a highly determining factor for price, the larger the pearl generally the more expensive
Thickness of nacre, the metallic lustre covering the pearl. The thicker the greater the quality of the pearl
Which pearls are best and the most precious is to a large extent subjective in my view, heirloom pearls carry great value albeit not necessarily monetary. Irregardless of the grading criterion regarding shape, there has been a greater appreciation in recent years and an increasing love for the perfectly imperfect shaped pearls, accordingly these have increased dramatically in value. However, that said the latter four criteria still apply on how to choose pearl jewellery with regards to lustre, colour, size and the thickness of the nacre.
There’s no way to “make” an oyster produce a pearl in the ocean. However, artificially implanting a nuclei makes it easier to manage the production of pearls, as well as market prices.
These days, it’s almost impossible to find natural pearls in the oceans and seas. Oyster divers risk their lives looking for the sea creatures, hoping to strike it big. However, there just aren’t many natural pearls being created anymore due to pollution and pearl divers.
With cultured pearl farming, the gems are made in secure and nurturing environments. Therefore, the oysters have greater chances of surviving and producing high-quality gemstones
Cultured pearls form in a mollusk following exactly the same process. However, there are two main differences:
Cultured pearls are grown on farms.
Irritants are inserted inside the oyster purposely by pearl farmers.
Cultured pearls are formed by inserting shell bead nuclei inside the oysters using a very tedious, fragile process. This acts as an irritant and activates the oyster’s defense mechanism and the creation of layers of nacre. After a lot of care and nurturing, cultured pearls are born!
There are two major types of pearls – cultured and natural ones. However, you should first learn about the difference between real pearls and fake ones. Also called faux pearls, these fake versions are generally made of plastic, glass or some other manmade material.
Both cultured pearls and natural pearls are 100% real gems. The difference between the two is based on how they were made. That usually affects the pearl’s price and becomes important when buying pearls online.
Natural pearls are quite rare because they’re a random product of nature that occurs less and less frequently due to pollution and over-fishing. You can readily buy cultured pearls, however; which are natural pearls created with human assistance.
Both natural and cultured pearls form from an irritant that molluscs protects themselves from by secreting successive layers of nacre, which is an organic substance composed of aragonite and conchiolin. Imitation, faux or stimulated pearls do not possess nacre; they are usually glass, plastic or shell beads dipped in ground up fish scales and coated with a lacquer.
Natural pearls are extremely rare and outrageously expensive, so you’ll probably be looking at types of cultured pearls. Familiarise yourself with the different types: saltwater South Sea, Black Tahitian and akoya pearls; and freshwater pearls.
When judging pearls firstly consider nacre. Natural saltwater and cultured freshwater pearls are solid nacre, while cultured saltwater pearls have a nucleus that’s surrounded by layers of nacre. The number and thickness of the layers of nacre is what’s important in determining the quality of a pearl. And, in turn, this produces the inner glow of a pearl; the soft, satiny sheen — its lustre — which will influence its value.
Check out the colour. Pearls come in a wide range of colours and you should consider a pearl’s main body colour, its overtones (say, a white pearl with gold or rose overtones) and its orient (iridescence), which means the play of light interference across the pearl’s surface or just beneath it. Natural colours are best, but you can also buy pearls dyed various colours.
Pearls are graded according to the smoothness of their surface. Blemish-free pearls demand a premium; small spots on a pearl don’t decrease the value as much as chips or cracks.
Round or spherical shapes are most desirable. But pearls can look beautiful in all sorts of shapes. If you’re having a necklace or bracelet made ensure you have matching shapes and sizes.
Generally, the larger the diameter of a pearl the more expensive it will be. The price of a pearl increases exponentially as its size increases.
Pearls can be graded on one of two scales. No standardised, industry-wide pearl grading system has been established, but your jeweller may use one of two commonly used grading systems: the AAA-A and the A–D systems. If your jeweller refers to a grading, for example AA, ask exactly what he or she means by that. Ask if you can read a description of each grading term so that you know what each term used means.
Pearls are soft (3 on Mohs’ scale, which measures a gemstone’s resistance to scratching) and they’re porous, so be prepared to look after them. Necklaces and earrings are a safer option than rings or bracelets, which are more easily damaged when you wear them.
Always get a detailed certificate of authenticity with your purchase. A certificate states the quality of your pearl and contains a detailed description of your jewellery, which is handy in case you ever need to make an insurance claim.
When you know how to shop for pearls the right way, you can rest easy knowing you’re getting 100 percent genuine, high-quality gems. The thing is that pearls, like their price tags, vary more than many other precious items on the market. You have affordable freshwater cultured pearls that are perfect for first-time pearl buyers all the way up to perfectly uniform, investment-grade golden pearl necklaces that would charm any serious pearl collector.
you can take the time and go through this simple six-step process to learn how to buy pearl earrings, necklaces and any other piece of genuine pearl jewelry. Here you’ll find valuable information that will save you time and money. When the time comes to buy pearl earrings online or any other type of pearl jewelry, you’ll thank us!
How to Choose Pearls with Our Six-Step Process
STEP 1: Learn about pearl quality and how to identify different kinds of pearls, including Akoya, South Sea, Tahitian and freshwater. Find out a bit more about how the different type of pearl itself affects value and which is in your budget.
STEP 2: There are more things that determine quality than just the type of pearl you buy. Pearls can cost more based on their size, color, luster and general surface appearance.
STEP 3: Pearl size is an important consideration with regard to both budget (of course, the bigger the better) as well as appearance.
STEP 4: One of the most important steps to learning how to buy a pearl necklace is to know which length you prefer and to understand the common lengths.
STEP 5: Are you getting ripped off? Compare the pearl jewelry you’re after to current market prices to ensure that you’re paying the right price.
STEP 6: Only purchase from a company that offers the world’s finest pearls at wholesale prices.
A pearl is formed when an irritant, commonly sand, becomes lodged inside an oyster. As a means of protecting itself from this intruder, the oyster releases coat after coat of ‘nacre’ which is an opaque substance. Over time the nacre forms a pearl.
This lengthy process can take anywhere from six months to two years. The pearl can range from a variety of colors and shapes and is, most commonly, not always round.
The first and foremost difference between a natural pearl and a cultured pearl lies in the way the pearls were made.
A cultured pearl will be developed by a farmer who injects an irritant into the oyster and uses a controlled environment to allow for speedy and efficient production of pearls. Natural pearls are grown in the wild.
Due to the difficulty of harvesting these natural pearls, they are often far more expensive and rare. Cultured pearls are just as beautiful and prized in the world of jewelry.
How to tell if a pearl is real? These days, the market is full of counterfeits and imitations, especially in the gemstone business. The pearl industry is not an exception. Before, pearls were only found in the wild. This made pearls very rare. Today, technology makes fake pearls look remarkably real, which means that the probability of purchasing faux pearls is high.
Counterfeit pearl products change over time. An imitation pearl today may not have the same features as a counterfeit pearl a couple of years ago. Therefore, the best way to know how to tell if pearls are real is by knowing the features of an authentic pearl.
Cultured pearls are genuine pearls, but they are formed with human intervention. The process involves inserting an irritant inside the mollusk. As a defense mechanism, a fluid is released to coat the irritant, later forming the pearl. Natural pearls are formed exclusively by nature and they are much more rare and valuable than cultured pearls.
Its called the Freshwater pearl. This is the most affordable pearl with prices starting usually around $50.
The Akoya Pearl is your classic pearl, slightly smaller in size than a freshwater pearl, and can be found usually in white or cream colors. These pearls are found off the coast of Japan.
The South Sea pearl is large in size with colors in the realm of white, cream, and gold.
Classic, elegant and always sophisticated, pearls have always been one of the most popular and meaningful gifts. Often given to mark a milestone moment – like a Sweet 16th birthday, graduation day, Mother’s day or a wedding day gift from the groom to the bride – pearl jewelry is timeless and will be well‐treasured. Pearls are also the traditional birthstone for those born in June, and the gemstone for the 30th wedding anniversary.
Given the speed in which things seem to happen today, it is almost incongruous to find that pearls have been cultured and harvested basically the same way for centuries. The creation of a pearl is remarkably simple to understand, but fairly complex to create.
Pearls are formed when an irritant, such as a piece of sand, becomes lodged in the shell of an oyster. Sensing the object, the oyster deposits layers of a semi‐translucent substance called “nacre” around the intruder, where it builds up over time. It takes years to create a pearl of decent size and perfectly round shapes are rare.
All pearls of pearl jewelry are cultured. This means that while they are genuine pearls made from natural materials, the pearls themselves are cultivated in pearl farms and the process is overseen and facilitated by humans.
Natural saltwater and cultured freshwater pearls are solid nacre, while cultured saltwater pearls have a nucleus that’s surrounded by layers of nacre. The number and thickness of the layers of nacre is what’s important in determining the quality of a pearl. And, in turn, this produces the inner glow of a pearl; the soft, satiny sheen — its lustre — which will influence its value.
No standardised, industry-wide pearl grading system has been established, but your jeweller may use one of two commonly used grading systems: the AAA-A and the A–D systems. If your jeweller refers to a grading, for example AA, ask exactly what he or she means by that. Ask if you can read a description of each grading term so that you know what each term used means.
Pearls come in a wide range of colours and you should consider a pearl’s main body colour, its overtones (say, a white pearl with gold or rose overtones) and its orient (iridescence), which means the play of light interference across the pearl’s surface or just beneath it. Natural colours are best, but you can also buy pearls dyed various colours.
Never before has such a wide range of pearl colors been available. White is the classic, versatile color choice and many believe that a woman’s first pearl necklace should always be a white strand. “Black” pearls are not actually black but dark shades of gray, greens and blues and give an exotic look that works especially well with darker skin tones. Pink, peach and lavender shades are fun and flirty, perfect for spring and summer wear but when color matched correctly – an outfit can look incredibly sophisticated as well.
Pearl always look great in a photograph or showroom but may appear different in natural lighting, so it’s important to be able to exchange or return your pearls if necessary.
Purchase from a retailer that specializes in pearls.
99% of all jewelers are uneducated, misinformed or simply ignorant when it comes to cultured pearls, many don’t understand the product they are selling.
Don’t get hung up on brand names.
Tiffany’s and Mikimoto both are known for high quality goods, by no means do they have a monopoly on high quality pearls. Savings of thousands of dollars can be had if you do your research.
A simple method to check if a pearl is real or imitation is the “Tooth Test”.
Gently slide the pearl across the front of your teeth; if it feels smooth then it’s a fake, as real pearls feel gritty.
All pearls sold on the retail market are “cultured pearls” unless otherwise labeled as natural pearls. Many jewelers and consumers mistakenly label Freshwater pearls as “cultured pearls”. but this is misleading since Akoya, Freshwater, Tahitian and South Sea Pearls are all “cultured pearls”. To avoid confusion knowledgeable dealers and consumers will refer to pearls by their correct pearl type.
Buying pearls can be a daunting and difficult task for the uninitiated but with a little bit of research, you’ll be able to choose the best pearls based on the quality, style, and color to make the task more interesting and enjoyable.
Deciding which type of jewelry to purchase can be a difficult decision. Probably the most common pearl piece people gravitate towards is the necklace. Pearl necklaces can range in length, size of pearl used, and number of strands. You can chose to wear a single strand,
princess length necklace of graduated pearls (pearls that grow in size uniformly from ends to center) for a more classic everyday look or a rope length, multi strand necklace of uniform pearls (pearls that are all the same shape and size) for an evening in the city. Classic Pearl Necklace lengths:
Collar: Hugs against the neck
Choker: Sits at the base of the neck
Princess: Sits just over the collar bone, 17 to 19 inches in length
Matinee: Hangs just above the bust at 20 to 24 inches
Opera: Falls just below the bust at 30 to 36 inches
Rope: A long strand of pearls reaching over 36 inches in length, commonly sitting near the naval.
Even though a pearl necklace is perhaps the most common and desired form of pearl jewelry, don’t stop your hunt there!
The use of pearls in bracelets earrings and rings is very common. When browsing pearl rings, many questions may arise such as: silver or gold? one pearl or two? Diamonds or not? The most important question to ask yourself however is: Which piece fits my lifestyle?
When making this decision bear in mind that the pearl is a very delicate gemstone. It ranks at 2.5-4.5 on the Mohs scale, making it one of the softest gemstones.
It can be easily scratched and damaged. If you decide to purchase a pearl ring it will come with a great responsibility to care for a protect that pearl.
Decide what type of pearl suits your style and budget. A strand of pearls can range from $35 – $35,000+, so understanding the different Types of Pearls and pearl prices will help you narrow down your choice.
Fine pearls are one of the least understood and most niche gemstones in the jewelry world – even professional jewelers often run into trouble identifying pearl types, understanding grading scales and pearl value.
It’s not surprising then that there are a number of questions that need to be answered before taking the plunge and investing hundreds or even thousands of dollars into a fine pearl necklace or pair of pearl earrings.
You probably already have an idea of what kind of jewelry you want to buy (i.e. pearl necklace, earrings, full set, etc.), so let’s focus on how to choose the right pearl type first before looping back into jewelry designs, budgetary issues and finally, selecting the right vendor where to buy pearls.
How to Choose Pearls with Our Six-Step Process
STEP 1: UNDERSTAND THE VARIETY OF PEARLS AVAILABLE- Learn about pearl quality and how to identify different kinds of pearls, including Akoya, South Sea, Tahitian and freshwater. Find out a bit more about how the different type of pearl itself affects value and which is in your budget.
STEP 2: LEARN HOW TO IDENTIFY QUALITY – There are more things that determine quality than just the type of pearl you buy. Pearls can cost more based on their size, color, luster and general surface appearance.
STEP 3: CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE PEARL SIZE- Pearl size is an important consideration with regard to both budget (of course, the bigger the better) as well as appearance.
STEP 4: CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE NECKLACE LENGTH – One of the most important steps to learning how to buy a pearl necklace is to know which length you prefer and to understand the common lengths.
STEP 5: LINK PEARL QUALITY TO MARKET VALUE- Are you getting ripped off? Compare the pearl jewelry you’re after to current market prices to ensure that you’re paying the right price.
STEP 6: PURCHASE A PEARL NECKLACE AT WHOLESALE PRICES- Only purchase from a professional company that offers the world’s finest pearls at wholesale prices.
Cultured pearls grow through a process in which a small piece of sediment – a grain of sand or a bit of shell – is deposited inside of an oyster. The oyster then coats the deposit with a glossy secretion called nacre. Over time, the nacre builds layers to form a pearl. Originally, pearls could be found in abundance in oysters throughout the oceans, but now they can be grown in laboratories. Therefore, there are two types of pearl growth: natural and cultured.
Natural pearls are rare and expensive. They look the same as cultured pearls, the only difference is that they were grown cultivated in a wild oyster.
Cultured pearls are made by implanting a piece of sand in an oyster and waiting for the pearl to grow. The majority of bought pearls are cultured. These look identical to natural pearls, but are man-made.
Freshwater pearls are different from saltwater pearls. Freshwater pearls are cultured in mussels, while saltwater pearls grow in oysters. Freshwater pearls come in diverse shapes, colors, and lustres, but are most often found in the ‘baroque’ shape – lumpy and natural looking, and are no larger than 7mm. Saltwater pearls also come in many shapes, but can grow large. Saltwater pearls are classified based on where they were grown/type of oyster they were grown in.
The color is the first thing you notice about a pearl. While the color will vary widely depending on the type of pearl you’re looking at, pay attention to two things: the body color, and the overtone color. The body color is the primary hue of the pearl, while the overtone color is the sheen or the color that ‘pools’ on the surface of the pearl. For example, a pearl might be white with rose overtones, or black with green overtones.
Always examine a pearl’s color against a white backdrop, such as a piece of white velvet or a similarly glare-free fabric.
Use diffused full-spectrum light when examining the pearl’s color.
If you’re buying a strand of pearls, always examine the colors of each of the pearls in contrast to the ones next to it.
The size of a pearl will vary depending on the type of conditions it was grown in, and the size of the original bit of debris at the center. Larger pearls are obviously more valuable than smaller ones, because they are much more rare. The bigger a pearl, the larger the original bit of sediment, and the longer it was left to ‘cure’ in the oyster. The size of any particular pearl will range from 3mm to 12mm, although you may find some that are smaller or larger than this. When examining a strand of pearls, it is ideal if they are all the same (or very close in) size.
Pearls always look beautiful in photos or showrooms, but may look different under natural light, so it is important to be able to swap or return pearls if necessary.
Gently slide the pearl over your teeth; if it feels smooth, it is fake, because the real pearl feels rough.
Both Tiffany and Mikimoto are known for their high quality goods, but they have no monopoly on high quality pearls. If you do research, you can save thousands of dollars.
99% of jewelers are not educated, misled, or simply do not understand artificially cultured pearls, and many people do not understand the products they sell.
All pearls sold on the retail market are “cultured pearls” unless otherwise labeled as natural pearls. Many jewelers and consumers mistakenly label Freshwater pearls as “cultured pearls”. but this is misleading since Akoya, Freshwater, Tahitian and South Sea Pearls are all “cultured pearls”. To avoid confusion knowledgeable dealers and consumers will refer to pearls by their correct pearl type.