How to Buy Pearls
by Yan Berry
Pearls are an enduring classic of romantic beauty and sophistication suitable
for almost any occasions or celebrations. Pearls may be worn with formal
eveningwear, with a business suit, or casually with a sweater and jeans. The
official June birthstone provides an ideal choice for brides, young women
looking for a touch of elegance, or a cherished gift for birthday, Christmas,
graduation, sweet-sixteen, anniversary, or just to say I love you.
Once rare and expensive, modern cultured pearls have become an affordable
luxury. To choose consider six factors contribute to the value of a pearl:
luster, nacre thickness, shape, surface texture, size, and color.
Luster- the Essence of Pearl Beauty
Pearls gain their unique beauty from the play of light reflecting through
layers of fine crystalline nacre gradually deposited by an oyster. Nearly
transparent nacre gives the deepest luster and the highest reflection. A
high-quality pearl will have a brilliant even reflection with a fine warm glow
or radiance. Lower quality pearls have a dull sheen.
High-quality Akoya saltwater pearls have a higher luster than South Sea or
Tahitian pearls, which tend to have a softer, more diffuse reflection.
Color and Overtones
The dominant color of a pearl comes from the main reflection from the pearl
surface. The deeper reflected light draws the inner color from the pearl, called
the overtone.
Light colored pearls are available in shades of white, cream, and golden.
White with pink or silver overtones are generally the most valuable. The most
desirable dark colored pearls are black with green or blue overtones. Color
matching is also important when buying pearl jewelry. Perfectly matched pearls
in color and size are more valuable than poorly matched pearls.
Shape and Surface Texture
The highest quality pearls are perfectly round with smooth surface, very few
surface imperfections, and even coloration. Lower quality pearls may be nearly
round, or show more surface imperfections, such as wrinkles or large pits on the
surface.
Pearl Size and Necklace Length
The pearls in a strand are measured in a range, such as 7-7.5mm. They are
strung with the largest pearls at the center of the necklace and gradually
smaller towards the clasp. Larger pearls are more valuable and they create a
more dramatic look. High-quality pearls larger than 9 mm are scarce and very
expensive.
The classic and most common pearl necklace length is the 17-19 inch princess.
It is a good choice for a first pearl necklace because it can be worn with many
things.
Decide Pearl Types
There are four types of pearls:
- Classic Akoya Pearls
- Large Exotic Black Tahitian Pearls
- Large Golden or White South Sea Pearls
- Inexpensive Decorative Freshwater Pearls
The above four types of pearls are all cultured pearls. Akoya, Tahitian and
South Sea pearls grow in ocean saltwater so they are also called saltwater
pearls.
Akoya pearls are the most popular type for their appealing high luster,
luxury and affordability.
Decide Pearl Quality
Pearls usually have four grades: A, AA, AAA, and AAA+ quality. AAA and AAA+
quality are the highest quality.
AAA and AAA+ quality pearls are the most desired pearls for gifts. They have
high luster and very clean surface skins.
AA quality pearls have medium luster and slight to medium surface
imperfection. They are ideal gifts for someone who will be happy to own a piece
of fine pearl jewelry.
A quality pearls have low luster and medium to heavy blemishes. They are not
popular for gifts due to their low quality.
Decide where to buy pearls
You can buy pearls from retail stores, online shops or online auctions. When
shop for pearls, it is recommended to buy pearls from these places: stores that
grade pearls carefully; stores that provide certificate and offer money back
guarantees.
Copyright: ? 2004 by Premium Pearl Jewelry
Yan Berry
Company name: Premium Pearl Jewelry
Web Site:
http://www.premiumpearl.com/