the Pearl Guide

The Pearl Guide is all about pearls -- pearl necklaces, pearl earrings, pearl rings, and pearl bracelets. We provide information on how pearls are formed, what to look for when purchasing pearls, online jewelry stores, and where to buy pearl jewelry online.

Pearl Basics

Shopping for pearls involves paying attention to a few important elements. High-quality pearl jewelry should consist of pearls of high luster and good surface quality, and the pearls should match in terms of color, shape and size.

Pearl Colors

Pearls come in a variety of different colors, from silvery white, to pinkish, to black. The consistency of the color affects the value; however, fashion trends and color demands also affect prices.
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Pearl Luster

Luster is the shine and glow of the pearl, and a very important factor when it comes to judging beauty. The intensity of a pearl's luster is determined by its nacre, the layers of calcium carbonate that make up the pearl. The longer a pearl is left in the oyster, the thicker the nacre. The luster of a good quality pearl should be bright and not dull.
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Pearl Shapes

Pearls come in many shapes, depending on how they are formed within the mollusk. Because most people expect pearls to be round, and round pearls are very rare, they tend to be much more expensive than other shapes.
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Surface Quality

Surface quality refers to the topography of the pearl. Pearls are natural, so when you look at them closely, many tend to have imperfections such as tiny spots, bumps, or wrinkles. A pearl with fewer surface markings is more rare and valuable.
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Pearl Size

Pearl size refers to the pearl's diameter, which is measured in millimeters. Normally, the larger the pearl, the more rare it is and the more valuable. Keep in mind that pearl strands also have a length, which also affects price because of the number of pearls needed to create that particular necklace length.
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Featured

This Tahitian cultured pearl, 10 mm. in diameter, is beautifully solitaire set in high polished platinum giving an elegant expression of femininity.
From Mondera

Pearl Education
dot the Pearl Guide
dot Pearl Basics
  dot Pearl Color
  dot Pearl Luster
  dot Pearl Shape
  dot Pearl Surface Quality
  dot Pearl Size
dot Pearl, the June Birthstone
Pearl Glossaries
dot Pearl Types
dot Oyster Types
dot Pearl Industry Terms
Pearl Buying
dot Pearl Jewelry Stores
dot Pearl Necklaces

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