Pearl FAQ

What is the most important quality of a pearl?
What is the difference between a natural pearl and a cultured pearl?
How can you tell if the pearls are real or fake?
What are the different types of pearls?
Is there a grading system for pearl quality?
Why are freshwater pearls more affordable than saltwater pearls?
What is the best pearl color for me?
What is a pearl overtone?
What is the right necklace length?
How much should I spend on pearls?
How do I care for my pearls?
How often should I have my pearl necklace restrung?

What is the most important quality of a pearl?
Above all else, luster is the single most important expression of a pearl’s beauty. Luster refers to the light reflected from the pearl’s surface. A high quality pearl with good luster will reflect a clear mirror image of the objects around it, and will also have a distinct sharp contrast between the pearl’s bright and shaded areas. This creates the illusion of a glowing ball within a pearl. In addition to luster, you will also want to look for pearls with round shapes and minimal surface markings.

What is the difference between a natural pearl and a cultured pearl?
A natural pearl spontaneously forms in nature without any human intervention. The process of a natural pearl begins when an irritant such as a shell fragment or scale becomes lodged inside the oyster or mussel. As a protective response, the mollusk will begin to secrete a crystalline substance called nacre to coat the foreign object. This newly forming pearl will continue to be coated with nacre and grow in size as long as it remains in the mollusk. A cultured pearl is formed in an almost identical fashion, but rather than leaving it to nature, man stimulates the process by inserting the foreign object into the mollusk. This process is called nucleation and involves the insertion of a mother of pearl bead as the irritant nucleus. Both natural and cultured pearls are recognized as gemstones.

How can you tell if the pearls are real or fake?
Imitation pearls are often referred to as faux pearls, simulated pearls, or semi-cultured pearls. Entirely artificial, they are made of glass, plastic, or shell beads dipped in powdered fish scales and then dipped in lacquer. They are not grown in oysters or mussels and are not considered to be gemstones. You can notice the difference between a real and fake pearl right away when placed side by side. The fake will exhibit a “surface shine” with no depth to its luster. Another simple way to spot a fake pearl is to use the “tooth test.” As you run the pearl along your upper teeth, a real cultured pearl will have a gritty or sandy feel. If the pearl feels slippery smooth, you have a fake on your hands.

What are the different types of pearls?
Pearl Amor offers four major types of pearls including Akoya Pearls, Freshwater Pearls, Tahitian Pearls, and South Sea Pearls. The classic Akoya Pearls are the most commonly known pearls and range in size between 2 to 11mm with the average size being 6 to 7mm. Akoya Pearls are mostly white and cream but are also available in silver, yellow, pink or blue. The Freshwater Pearl is best known for its multitude of shapes and colors. Their spectrum of colors include white, cream, yellow, orange, pink, purple, and shades of metallic orange-purple just to name a few. The exotic Tahitian Pearls are produced by the black lipped oyster and are rather large in size normally ranging from 8 to 14mm. They naturally come in an iridescent rainbow of colors including gray to black, green to peacock, and blue to aubergine. Many Tahitians even display a gorgeous metallic appearance. It is important to note that Tahitian Pearls are the only naturally black colored pearls. South Sea Pearls come from the silver lipped or golden lipped oyster and are considered the “Queen” of cultured pearls due to their unequalled luster and large size. Both rare and valuable South Sea Pearls start at 10mm and go up to 20mm in size.

Is there a grading system for pearl quality?
Unlike other gemstones, there is no definitive grading system for pearls. However, to denote quality, most pearl dealers use the same alphabetical nomenclature grading system with their highest quality represented by AAA and lowest by a single A. With such a system that is subjective to variations, it is important that you understand what each jeweler's grade means and also to carefully review their pearl detail section.

Why are freshwater pearls more affordable than saltwater pearls?
The cost difference between freshwater and saltwater pearls is driven by the simple economics of supply and demand. A single freshwater mussel is able to grow up to 40 pearls at a time while their saltwater cousins are limited to just 2 sizeable pearls at most. In addition, unlike with other pearl yielding mollusks, freshwater mussels do not need to be re-nucleated in order to produce a second crop of pearls.

What is the best pearl color for me?
While pearl color is clearly a personal choice, there are certain guidelines in selecting a color that is more complementary to a specific skin tone. Women with fair skin color typically prefer white pearls with rose overtones, while cream and gold pearls are preferred more by women with darker skin complexions. However, black and silver colored pearls are usually flattering on all skin tones.

What is a pearl overtone?
The color of a pearl is evaluated by the combination of its body color and overtone. The “body color” refers to the basic color, while “overtone” refers to the presence of a secondary color, also known as its “tint.” A white-rose color would refer to a white body color pearl with a rose colored overtone or tint. The most rare and valued overtone for white pearls is rose (pink). Green overtone is the least desired.

What is the right necklace length?
The desired necklace length is very much dependent on a woman's personal style and the specific occasion. There are six popular lengths of pearl strands each with a few guidelines for wear. The collar pearl necklace length is 12 to 13 inches long and fits snugly across the middle of the neck. Often made of multiple strands, this length is well suited for V-neck and off the shoulder fashions. The choker pearl necklace length is 14 to 16 inches long and lies in the hollow of her neck. The most versatile length and complementing almost any neckline, a pearl choker can go with virtually any outfit from casual to fancy eveningwear. The princess pearl necklace length is 17 to 19 inches long and falls just below the collar line. This classic length is the most popular and a good choice for anyone who is not certain which pearl strand length is most appropriate. The princess length is suitable to wear with button up blouses, V-necks, and also complements low, plunging necklines. The matinee necklace length is 20 to 24 inches long and rests comfortably along the bust line. This length is appropriate for both casual and business attire. For a luxurious layered look, you can pair this length with one of the shorter. The opera necklace length is 28 to 34 inches long and rests in the middle of a woman’s chest. This length is ideal for layering to wear as a double strand or knotting at the neckline to create a fashionable vintage style. The rope necklace length is 36 inches and longer. This versatile length can be worn as a double or triple strand. For a more bold fashion style, pearl ropes can be knotted and slung over the shoulder to accentuate the beauty of a backless dress.

How much should I spend on pearls?
Today, with the availability of cultured pearls at reasonable prices, you don’t need to spend a fortune to buy fine quality pearls. Our advice is to focus on selecting the best quality pearl you can afford within your budget. This will ensure that your beautiful pearls will not only maintain their value over time but will also be passed on to be enjoyed from generation to generation.

How do I care for my pearls?
After wearing your pearls, simply wipe them gently with a soft lightly damp cloth. Avoid exposing pearls to common household items such as hair spray and cleaning products. It’s a good idea to put your pearls on after applying cosmetics, hair sprays, and perfume. From time to time, a gentle soap (not dishwashing liquid soap) may be used for cleaning. It is also important that you store your pearls properly in the original pearl jewelry box you received from Pearl Amor. If you decide to store your pearls in a different jewelry box, make sure there are separate compartments for each piece of jewelry. Your pearls should also be stored in a well-ventilated area away from excessive heat and direct sunlight. Be kind to your valuable pearls.

How often should I have my pearl necklace restrung?
How often you restring your pearls will depend on how often they are worn. If you wear your pearl necklace on a weekly basis, we recommend that you restring them once a year; always on silk of course, not nylon. If the pearls on your necklace becomes loose or you notice any visible spacing between the knots, get the pearls restrung. If neglected, the loose string over time will increase the size of the pearl's drill hole and the pearls will no longer be straight.