Posts Tagged ‘ About Pearls ’

This post is going to be fairly short, but I just wanted to share a video from Honora Pearls that I found on Youtube. This video not only shows the differences between natural and cultured pearls, but also shows the various types of cultured pearls available, including Akoya, South Sea, and Freshwater Pearls. It’s worth watching – so far I haven’t been able to provide any visuals but this video will show you the colors each type has, its main characteristics (ie which shapes are most prevalent for each type) and best of all, you can see what high quality pearls from each variety look like. They really do a great job! Enjoy

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!

These pearls, like coin pearls, are also classified by their shape. The name comes from the days when Chinese pearl farms were just entering the market. Their freshwater pearls were low-quality, small, and irregular – in fact they looked just like the cereal Rice Krispies. They may also be called oval pearls, but generally the name ‘rice’ has been the one that stuck.

Even though the quality of Chinese pearls has greatly improved (to the point where they are giving Japanese Akoya pearl farms a run for their money) their rice krispy pearls still bear the stigma of their low-quality predecessors. The good news is, these aren’t horribly popular so you may be able to get a great deal. They are also a popular choice for beaders because they are so inexpensive and easy to find. Also, because they are generally freshwater pearls, if you’d like a pearl necklace made out of them you will have many colors to choose from!

Knowing what the defining characteristics of pearls are is important if you want to buy a quality pearl necklace. It’s also good to know the defining characteristics of pearls if you’re looking for a bargain because you’ll know which areas you can compromise in to save money and which you absolutely need to watch out for. Recognizing quality pearls can also help you avoid buying a faux pearl necklace if you don’t want one. So without further ado, here are the top 5 pearl characteristics:

1) Luster (or Lustre) is the amount of light that is reflected from a pearl’s surface. It is the most visible quality of a valuable pearl. Why? Because the amount of luster is a reflection of the depth of the nacre (nacre is simply the material that pearls are made of, also called mother of pearl). Natural pearls will have more nacre than cultured pearls because in cultured pearls the nacre forms around an implanted nucleus, usually shell, and the pearl is harvested fairly quickly.

What you are looking for are pearls that are brilliantly shiny and so reflective that you can see your reflection if your back is to the light. Pearls that do not have as much nacre and therefore are less lustrous will seem dull, with little depth.

2) Size is another way to measure a pearl’s value. The most common size is between 7mm to 7 1/2mm – larger pearls will be more expensive since it takes years for them to form and they aren’t as common.

3) Shape is an area in which personal preference comes into play. The most valuable pearls are technically the perfectly round ones we know and love but they aren’t the only shapes out there. If you prefer a different shape, you can guarantee that your necklace will stand out from the rest. You may even save some money if you choose an irregular shape, such as a baroque pearl. Other shapes available are round, oval, teardrop, seed, and button pearls. Any of those will still look beautiful – again, it all comes down to what you like!

4) Color can refer to either the body color or the overtones of the pearl. I tend to think of white when I think of pearl necklaces but there are plenty of colors to choose from, including pink, lavender, white, yellow, blue, and even black pearls, with nearly infinite shade variations among those colors. A perfect set of matching pearls is very hard to find due to those same minute variations. For that reason, it’s best to buy matching jewelry such as earrings or bracelets at the same time as your pearl necklace – you’ll be much more likely to get a good match.

5) Surface refers to how smooth or flawed the surface of the pearl is. A perfectly smooth pearl with no pits or rings will be much more valuable and expensive than a pearl with some slight imperfections.

The above characteristics are the most important when judging a pearl’s quality. Some of them, such as color, shape, or size, are very personal choices and you may be able to save money if what you like is more commonly found. One thing I wouldn’t compromise on, however, is the luster of your pearls! The shimmer and reflective nature of highly lustrous pearls is what sets them apart from other gems, after all!

I hope this helps and good luck hunting for your perfect pearl necklace!