Pearl Jewelry: Understand Pearls Before You Buy

Pearl Jewelry: Understand Pearls Before You Buy

We've all respected the lovely shine of a pearl necklace or a set of pearl earrings, but if you're in the store to shop for pearl jewelry, you should know the essentials about pearls and pearl jewelry. Here, then, is a basic guide to pearls:

Freshwater Pearls

Freshwater pearls are grown in rivers, lakes, and other freshwater places. They are different from saltwater pearls in that freshwater pearls are almost fully made up of nacre - the ingredient that gives pearls their luster and lastingness. As a result, freshwater pearls will generally not experience the identical amount of wear as saltwater pearls. A freshwater pearl necklace is also commonly less expensive than other types of pearl necklaces. An added element is that freshwater pearls come in a number of colors, which include pink, black, and purple. Those who trend toward nontraditional pearl colors will find the hue they're looking for in freshwater pearls.

Tahitian Pearls

Tahitian pearls are also well-known as black pearls because they are grown in the black-tipped oyster. The truth, though, is that Tahitian pearls come in a number of hues, from true black to gray, from blue to green, and from pink to brown. It's difficult to match the colors of Tahitian pearls, so a Tahitian pearl necklace will cost more than its freshwater cousin.

Akoya Pearls

Akoya pearls hail from Japan, where they are cultured. More pricey than freshwater pearls, Akoya pearls are also normally more perfectly round and smoother than freshwater pearls. The luster of an Akoya pearl necklace and pearl earrings makes them the jewelry of choice for many brides-to-be.

Aspects Affecting Price

The price of pearl jewelry can vary widely, depending upon a number of reasons. Taking the price of the setting out of the equation, pearls are valued based on the sort of pearl, their dimension, their roundness, and the deficiency or existence of flaws. If you are looking for reasonably priced or wholesale pearl jewelry, freshwater pearls are your best bet. The most costly pearls may be South Sea pearls, which are made by the pinctada maxima, or golden-lipped oyster. They are commonly quite large and fairly uncommon.

Pearls are measured in millimeters, and generally vary from 5 mm to 18 mm. Needless to say, all other factors being equal, the larger the pearl, the more pricey it is. The same holds true for roundness or symmetry and the absence of flaws. A properly round white pearl with no mars will cost more than a pearl that is a little asymmetrical or that has a mark on it.

That's not to say, of course, that only pearl jewelry made from flawless, large, round, white pearls is desirable. Gradually, people appreciate the special qualities that colored and diversely shaped pearls can bring to pearl jewelry. As with all exquisite items, everyone's taste is different. The one certainty is that you should know something about pearls before starting to shop for pearl jewelry.

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