If you're looking for quality, buying pearl isn't as simple as picking the prettiest in a bunch.There are many things to consider when buying pearls, including the location, size and appearance, and the way in which it was grown.Learn about the important qualities and styles of pearls available on the market to make sure you get a good deal on a pearl strand.
Step 1: You can choose a growth style.
pearls grow through a process in which a small piece of sand or shell is deposited inside of an oysterThe oyster coats the deposit with a glossy substance.The nacre builds layers to form a pearl.Pearls could be found in abundance in oysters throughout the oceans, but now they can be grown in laboratories.There are two types of pearl growth: natural and cultured.Natural pearls are expensive.The only difference is that they were grown in a wild oyster.Cultured pearls are made by implanting a piece of sand in an oyster and waiting for the pearl to grow.Most of the pearls bought are cultured.These are man-made and look similar to natural pearls.
Step 2: There are freshwater and saltwater pearls.
There are different types of pearls.saltwater pearls grow in oysters while freshwater pearls are cultured in mussels.There are many shapes and colors of freshwater pearls, but they are most often found in the baroque shape and are no larger than 7mm.There are many shapes of saltwater pearls.Saltwater pearls are classified based on where they were grown.The pearls are more expensive than their baroque counterparts.Both freshwater and saltwater can be found in almost any color.
Step 3: Take a look at Akoya pearls.
The Akoya pearls are the epitome of the classic pearl.Akoya pearls are either white or rose in color.They are also available in cream, minty green, and light blue.Akoya pearls are in the classic round shape and range in size from 3mm to 10mm.
Step 4: South Sea pearls.
Black-lipped oysters are grown in the South Sea.Pearls from this region are known for their large size and rich black hue.Even larger South Sea pearls start at 8mm.Black with a green undertone is the most sought after color of this type of pearl.In rich navy blue, silver and slate, deep plum, and dark green, these pearls may have a resemblance to pink and blue.
Step 5: South Sea pearls.
The South Sea white pearls are grown in the silver-lipped oyster.Similar to black pearls grown in the region, South Sea white pearls have a high luster.These are more expensive than small white Akoya pearls because they are not harvested until at least 9mm.They are mostly white and silver, but may have a rose overtone.
Step 6: The South Sea has gold pearls.
The South Sea gold pearl is the most rare of all pearl varieties.These are grown in gold lipped oysters near the waters of Tahiti.Large pearls start at 9mm and are valued for their unique color.Light champagne and bright gold are more sought after.White and cream pearls are similar to those made by the silver-lipped oyster.
Step 7: The pearls are cortez.
The pearls are grown in rainbow-lipped oysters off the coast of Mexico.Black pearls come in a variety of colors.The dark pistachio green with bright rainbow overtones is the most beautiful of the Cortez pearls.The pearls start at 8mm and grow to 12mm in size.
Step 8: There are pearls.
Conch pearls are not traditional pearls as they are non-nacreal and formed inside a shell.There are large mollusks in a spiral shell in the Caribbean.Conch pearls are very unique.They are found in bright pink and peach shades, with a flame-like pattern on the exterior.The value of the pearl is determined by the flame.They vary in size and shape, but few are round.
Step 9: There is a color.
The first thing you notice is the color.Pay attention to the body color and overtone color of the pearl, as the color will vary widely depending on the type of pearl you are looking at.The body color is the primary hue of the pearl, while the overtone color pools on the surface.A pearl can be white with rose overtones or black with green overtones.Look at a pearl against a white backdrop, such as a piece of white velvet or a similarly glare-free fabric.When looking at the pearl's color, use diffuse full-spectrum light.If you are buying a strand of pearls, it is always a good idea to look at the colors of the pearls next to them.
Step 10: Look at the color.
The luster is similar to the color of a pearl.The shinier the pearl, the more valuable it is.The reflection of a pearl is very similar to a mirror and how much light it reflects.The higher the value, the more the pearl is able to provide.Luster is easier to examine in a round pearl than a baroque one.To make sure the luster is the same, check the whole pearl.
Step 11: Take a look at the surface.
Most pearls are a bit off-round and have minor surface imperfections.You should look at the pearl on the strand.There may be grooves on the surface of the pearl.The foreign bodies brushed against the pearl while it was being made.You want to make sure that there are no flaws on the pearl.Sometimes pearls are sanded down to reduce blemish on the surface, but this lowers the value.If there is a change in luster or texture on a part, you can see if a pearl has been worked.
Step 12: Take the size into account.
The size of a pearl depends on the type of conditions it was grown in and the amount of debris at the center.Larger pearls are more valuable than smaller ones.The larger the pearl, the longer it was left to cure in the oyster.You can find pearls from 3mm to 12mm, although some may be smaller or larger than this.It is best to look at a strand of pearls that are the same size.
Step 13: Look at the shape.
Round pearls are the most valuable because they are difficult to form and are available in many different shapes.Some shape styles are more appropriate for certain settings than others.There are pearl shapes that are perfect spherical with no surface flaws.On one side of the pearl, it is slightly wider.Round pearls can be easily passed off as off-round pearls.There is a significant difference between the length and width of the Oval.An off-round pearl is a step further.Drop, egg-shaped with one end rounded and the other slightly pointed.The button has one or two asymmetrical curves.A half circle is created by a round pearl that is flat on one side.Baroque is a natural pearl with lots of curves.
Step 14: Examine the land.
The oyster excretes nacre when it creates the pearl, which is built up over the nucleus object.A pearl can build over time if it is left inside an oyster.Highly nacreous pearls are more sought-after than low or non-nacreeous pearls.The luster of a pearl is increased by a high amount of nacre.If you can see the nucleus of the pearl, it's possible that it has a thin or medium nacre.The stronger a pearl is, the more nacre it has.There are pearls grown in clams and conches.
Step 15: There are similarities on the strand.
If you are buying a strand of pearls that are staying together as a set, it is important that you find one strand that is nearly identical to the other strand.The more similar the pearls are in a strand, the more cohesive the look is.Look at the pearl next to each other from a distance.As you compare and contrast each of the pearls, pay attention to the overall color, size, shape, luster, and nacre qualities.The exception to this rule is a strand of baroque pearls.
Step 16: Buying loose strands is a good idea.
pearls that have been drilled to form beads but are not yet strung into a necklaceThe cheapest form of pearls is loose strands, but you have to work on your part to make them into jewelry.Keeping in mind the same concept, you can buy un-drilled loose pearls for use in settings for rings and earrings.
Step 17: Get a choker.
The shortest strand of pearl necklace is a choker.It is so close to the base of the neck that it feels like it is suffocating you.Depending on the person wearing it, chokers are generally 10–15 inches.
Step 18: Look for a princess strand.
pear-wearers like a princess necklace.It is associated with the classic and sophisticated look of the 1940's, with a strand of pearls that lands just below the neck.A princess necklace can be as long as 48.3 cm.
Step 19: The next step after a princess necklace is the matinee, which is a bit longer than the strands.
The matinee is usually between 20 and 24 inches (50.8–61.0 cm) long.
Step 20: There is an opera necklace.
The opera style of pearl strands is reserved for formal occasions due to it's long length and high price.The opera length of necklace is just below the bust line.
Step 21: Get a rope strand.
The longest strand of rope is 36 inches long.Multiple strands of pearls are given the appearance of rope strands.
Step 22: Look at the necklace.
A bib style necklace has multiple strands of pearls attached to the same clasp.They give the appearance of a bib.Because they are on the showier side, bib necklaces are used for semi-formal and formal occasions.