Pearl necklaces

A while back I explained how to care for pearls, which is important because they are fairly delicate gems. But what about simulated pearls? You would think that fake pearls would be much easier to store and clean but in fact many of the same rules apply, especially to Swarovski simulated pearls because they are very high quality and in many ways similar to the real thing.

Just like a regular pearl necklace, fake (or faux, or simulated) pearls should be put on last. Get dressed, put on makeup, perfume, etc. and then put on your simulated pearls. This is to avoid damaging the surface with acids/oils from your body or perfume. They should also be the first thing you remove. Just like natural pearls – “last on, first off” is the rule to remember.

It’s not as important to keep your simulated pearls away from heat or sunlight as it is with genuine pearls but I still wouldn’t cook with them or keep them on any longer than you really need to. That way they will look beautiful for quite some time.

When it comes to cleaning, again, you should be very careful with your artificial pearls. Unlike real pearls, they can handle a very small amount of (very) gentle detergent. However, it really is best to just buff them with a soft dry cloth as often as you can and save the cleaners for when they get extremely dirty.

Don’t store your necklace hanging up if at all possible, for the same reasons you want to avoid doing so with real pearls. You don’t want to damage the thread and have to restring or replace the necklace any sooner than you have to, right? Other than that, if you store your pearls in a jewelry box try to keep them separate or, ideally, store them in a soft cloth bag. As I mentioned earlier, Swarovski simulated pearls are quite high quality but some other faux necklaces may not be as durable and you want to keep them from getting scratched.

That’s really all you need to know here. Just follow the “last on, first off” rule to keep the finish of your necklace from getting damaged; try to avoid extreme heat though a little is okay; clean gently with a soft cloth or gentle cleaner; and, finally, store your artificial pearls by themselves in a jewelry box or in a soft bag to protect them. Sounds complicated but it’s really easy!

While the most common type of pearl necklace consists of one or more strands of pearls, there are many others out there. One example is the single pearl necklace. Now, if you search online you may notice that a single pearl necklace may refer to either a necklace with a single strand or a necklace consisting of a chain and a single pearl – almost synonymous with a pearl pendant. It is the latter type that I’d like to talk about today – these necklaces are just as beautiful as their more traditional counterparts yet they are often ignored in spite of their advantages.

First of all, wearing a pearl pendant means you can avoid some of the stereotypes/generalizations that pearl ropes tend to carry. Pearls have long been seen as a status symbol; however, they are also a symbol of maturity and age. In fact, many people believe longer necklaces or necklaces with bigger pearls should be reserved for mature, wealthy women who have “come of age.” The result is that pearl strands are considered inappropriate for some age groups. For example, a young girl or young woman who wears pearls that are too long or strands that are too big may seem as if she is trying to be too grown up. This more traditional view is waning to some extent, but whether you subscribe to it or not, a single pearl necklace sidesteps the issue altogether. There are also many variations on the market, so finding the perfect gift for someone you love is easy. For example, we all know that heart jewelry is popular around Valentine’s Day, and, in fact, many of these designs incorporate pearls. Heart shaped pendants with a pearl in the center are often called a “caged” pearl necklace and are classy and elegant.

These necklaces are also very affordable. Traditional pearl necklaces take quite some time to assemble due to the difficulty finding pearls that are well matched in overtone, body color, and luster. Even earrings require hunting through possibly thousands of pearls for a good match. The time and difficulty required are passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices and the longer your pearl necklace is (and the higher the quality) the more you can expect to pay. For a high quality pearl rope of Akoya pearls, you can expect to pay over $50,000 and possibly close to $100,000! (Don’t believe me? Do a quick check on Amazon and see for yourself. By the way, I’m discounting the AAAA or AA+ quality pearls here – those ratings are not recognized by the industry, but more on that later.) In contrast, if you only need to pay for one pearl you can get quite a bit more for your money – more in the range of $1000 or less but you can get some nice pearls for under $100 also.

Now if (perhaps) you’d like to get a single pearl necklace, consider your options. Do you prefer natural or cultured pearls? Natural ones are more valuable due to their rarity and thicker nacre though cultured pearls are less expensive and of comparable quality. Furthermore, think about the color you would like, then decide which type of pearl suits you best. If you’d like a genuine black pearl as opposed to dyed, you will want to look for Tahitian pearls. South Seas pearls tend to be known for their golden overtones, though they are available in white as well. Akoyas are the industry standard and are known for their rose, silver, or cream overtones. Finally, freshwater pearls are available in nearly every possible color but black, so take that into consideration when making your choice. As always, if you want a natural pearl, please consult with a gemologist or make sure the pearl is certified before making your purchase!

So there you have it. Single pearl necklaces are beautiful and affordable when compared to strands. They provide a delicate, modern look, and may be perfect for young women who want pearls but don’t want to look too grown up.  And because you’re only buying one pearl, your options are wide open!

While most necklaces are described by their length (i.e x amount of inches long), pearl necklaces actually have different names for each length and type. It is important to know which is which so you get exactly what you’re looking for! Here I’ll describe each type and note the types of clothing or necklines that each pearl necklace matches the best.

A collar describes a necklace that is 2 or more strands (in fact they are usually 3 or more), sits in the middle of the neck, and is usually 12 to 13 inches long. Though these were most fashionable in the Victorian era they are making a comeback. Pearl collars look elegant and chic with v-necks, boatnecks, or an off the shoulder style.

Pearl chokers are, at 14 to 16 inches long, a very popular choice. These necklaces sit just above the collarbone (I wish I had a visual, but for now, descriptions will have to do!). They are both classic and versatile and will add a touch of elegance to nearly any outfit.

The most common type of pearl necklace is the Princess. A princess length necklace is between 17 and 19 inches long and should sit around the outside of the collarbone. This length looks great with either crew and high necklines or very plunging necklines. A great choice for any woman – if you don’t know which type to get, choose this one!

Matinee length necklaces are approximately 20-24 inches and should hit at the top of the bust. Though this length is best suited to semi-formal attire, it also works with more casual wear and is the number one choice for a business setting.

Opera length refers to  a necklace between 26 to 36 inches long, hitting just above the midsection. As you can imagine, the name comes from the fact that this length was a common choice for a formal night out. It is still traditionally paired with evening wear, but its length does allow for a great deal of versatility. You may choose to double it for a look similar to a choker or collar, or knot it for a look similar to that which was popular with 1920s flappers. The doubled version would look great with crew or high necks.

A pearl rope is generally 45 inches or more, even though technically any length over 36 inches could also be considered a rope. These are generally worn only for the most formal of events, though like the opera, a rope may also be doubled or knotted. Another option is available in the form of convertible necklaces – these have multiple clasps, allowing you to shorten your necklace or even wear part of it as a bracelet.

So there you have it – six different types of pearl necklaces, from the collar to the rope. One thing to keep in mind when making your decision is the connotation that longer necklaces carry. Traditionally, longer necklaces or necklaces with larger pearls were reserved for more mature or wealthy women. Therefore, a pearl rope wouldn’t necessarily be recommended for a teenager as it may appear to others that she is trying to be overly mature. In that case, a choker or princess length may be a safer choice. As always though, the length of your pearl necklace ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you don’t like following tradition, don’t!

Have you ever been fooled into thinking that a fake pearl necklace is the real thing? Knowing how to spot a fake can be helpful for many reasons – it will help you avoid making mistakes when buying your necklace, and may even help you identify one you already have! Generally fake pearl necklaces may be called fake, faux, simulated, glass, plastic, resin, synthetic, artificial, or manmade if you are ordering online, but what if someone gives you a pearl necklace and you have no idea how to tell the difference? Here are some ways you can figure out if your necklace is real or not. (Keep in mind, cultured pearls are real! They are just artificially ‘induced’ pearls.)

1) X-rays. This is the most reliable test of all! An x-ray will tell you everything you need to know, including the actual thickness of the nacre, whether the pearl is cultured or not, and, of course, whether it’s real or fake. However, you will have to pay an expert to do this for you, and that can be expensive.

2) Destructive tests involve cutting the pearl open so that the core is visible. Natural pearls will be all nacre, freshwater cultured pearls will be nearly all nacre, and saltwater cultured pearls will have a shell core with a thinner layer of nacre. Faux pearls, on the other hand, will have a glass core with many layers of coating. I don’t recommend this at all! Why destroy your pearls?

3) Exposing your pearls to sunlight or a very bright indoor light will let you see all the color variations. Real pearls have so many color variations available that a perfect match is very rare, and in the sunlight, even more so. If both the body color and the overtones are perfectly matched, you may be looking at either a fake or an extremely costly real pearl necklace.

4) The tooth test involves running a pearl lightly over your teeth. Real pearls should apparently feel gritty whereas fake pearls will feel much smoother. This will fail to separate cultured pearls from fake ones, however – cultured pearls have a much thinner layer of nacre so they will feel relatively smooth. In general, I don’t know how reliable this test is – some experts seem to swear by it but I have no experience with it myself. Use at your own risk.

5) Magnification will show any imperfections or ridges that may exist. Real pearls will have years’ worth of nacre build up, creating some ridges that may not be apparent to the naked eye. Fake pearls will be mostly smooth.

6) Density. Real pearls should feel heavier relative to their size than faux pearls. In general – if you pick up your pearl necklace and it feels light, it’s fake. If it’s heavy, things get more complicated since well made faux pearl necklaces are nearly the same density as their natural counterparts..

Hopefully you now have a good idea of what the differences are between real and fake pearls. I should mention that Swarovski simulated pearls are very very close to real pearls – it will be hard to tell the difference in many of these categories. In that case, an x-ray will be your best bet. Good luck and I hope this helps you avoid buying a fake pearl necklace!

If you have a pearl necklace, you probably want to take care of it and keep it around for a while! The good news is that with a little love and care your necklace will last a very long time. However, pearls come from a living creature and thus are much more delicate than other gems such as diamonds. In this post I’ll show you what to do and what you should avoid doing in order to keep your pearls bright and lustrous.

First, you have to keep your pearls away from any sort of acids or heat. Acids from your skin, perfume, or makeup can damage the pearl’s surface, dulling their luster and potentially damaging the nacre itself. That’s why you will often hear the saying “last on, first off” when it comes to pearls. This means that you should put your pearl necklace on after you’re all ready to go out and take them off before you take off anything else. This will give them minimal exposure to damaging substances. One other thing to remember is that pearls don’t like heat. Keep them away from direct sunlight and don’t wear them while cooking dinner.

The way you store your pearl necklace(s) is important too. Remember, pearls aren’t diamonds and will scratch much more easily, so you will want to keep them away from other jewelry. The best storage method is a soft felt bag (with a slightly damp piece of linen), in a relatively cool place. Your storage area doesn’t need to be airtight, and in fact it’s best if you let your pearls breathe. This means you shouldn’t put them in any airtight containers or safety deposit boxes. Also, though you can hang your pearl necklace up if you choose, keep in mind that doing so will stress the delicate silk thread that is typically used.

Pearls will require periodic maintenance. Wiping them down after use with a soft cloth is recommended and will help them keep their shine. Just remember not to use harsh cleaners or you risk damaging your precious necklace! You will also want to keep an eye on the thread – you will need to restring your pearls (or have them restrung) every so often when it wears out. I have also heard that pearls need your humidity/body oils to avoid becoming dull, meaning that they should be worn often. I haven’t been able to verify this and it may well be an urban myth. Just keep in it mind. At any rate, you will want to wear them often anyway, right?

All of this may seem daunting but taking care of your pearls really boils down to a few simple things: “last on, first off,” avoid heat and direct sun, maintain well, and store carefully. Remember – if you love your pearls and take care of them, your pearl necklace will last a lifetime.