Pearl Types

Freshwater
Today's freshwater pearls bear little resemblance to the freshwater pearls of a decade ago.  Many different sizes and styles are available (see below).  Spherical sizes range from 3mm to 11mm without losing the roundness.  The primary sources for freshwater pearls are China and the United States.

Saltwater
Saltwater pearls take longer to produce than freshwater.  When ready, their appearance is more pronounced and colors more vivid.  Saltwater pearls are not available in the variety of shapes and sizes that freshwater can provide.

Tahitian
Along with the South Sea pearl, the Tahitian pearl is one of the most prized in the pearl family. They range in color from white to black to other colors including green and purple. The average size is from 8mm to 14mm. While larger millimeter sizes have been produced, they are done so in limited quantities.  It takes approximately 18 to 20 months to produce a Tahitian pearl.

Akoya
Primarily cultivated in Japan and China, these saltwater pearls typically range in size from 6 to 8 millimeters, however they can be raised as small as 2 millimeters (mm) or as large as 10mm. While the most common body color is white to cream, they can naturally occur in yellow, gray and blue. The Akoya pearl generally takes 6 to 18 months to form a pearl.

Pearl Care

Pearls are a chemical and organic gem that require a more specialized care than most other gem materials. They deteriorate in contact with chemicals like household cleaners, perfumes, cosmetics, and hair care products of all kinds.

A good rule of thumb is that your pearls are The Last Thing You Put On when dressing and The First Thing You Take Off when you get home. Never apply perfume or hair spray when you are wearing pearl jewelry.

The surface of a pearl is soft and can be easily damaged. Pearls set in rings and bracelets are subject to more cuffing and scratching than pearls set in brooches, earrings, necklaces or strands.

Main Care Tips
Never clean pearls in an ultrasonic cleaner. Never use detergent or bleaches or baking soda or ammonia based products. Do not use scouring pads or abrasive materials to clean the pearls. Take your pearls off when applying cosmetics and perfumes. Do not keep pearls near heaters or in places that get strong sunlight, such as a windowsill: they'll dry out. If your strand becomes dirty or loose have your jeweler clean it professionally or restring altogether.

Cleaning Tips
Caring for your precious pearls is easy. It is best to put your pearls on last. Cosmetics, perfumes, and hair spray all contain chemicals that can dull the luster of a pearl over an extended period of time. Periodically wipe your pearls with a soft damp cloth.

Washing Instructions
If you wear your pearls frequently, you should consider washing them approximately once a year. Although professional cleaning is recommended, self-cleaning can also be done. Place your pearls in a colander (plastic) to minimize handling your pearls. Dip the colander several times in a mild soap solution (use a clear liquid soap, Ivory). Rinse thoroughly in clean water. Pour the pearls onto a towel and allow to dry for at least 24 hours before handling them. Consider having your pearls restrung after three washings. Remember: Your pearls will last a lifetime with proper care and will only become more beautiful and elegant with age.

Storage
Pearl strands are stored separately from other jewelry because of the pearl's soft surface which can be easily scratched by other gems. A silk bag, velvet-lined box, pearl folder (a satin-lined leatherette envelope with snaps to hold a strand in place) are good places to store pearls. Your local jeweler is a good source for these items.

Never store pearls in a plastic bag. Some types of plastics emit a chemical that can cause the surface of the pearls to deteriorate.

Pearls should not be stored in a safe or safety security box for long periods of time. The ultra-dry atmospheric conditions that extend the life of paper documents dries out the pearls causing them to craze i.e. (to develope small fractures on the surface).

Pearl strands should be stored flat rather than hung to avoid premature stretching of silk thread.

Freshwater Pearl Shape

Spherical Pearls

Spherical pearls are round, which is traditionally the most desirable shape. The rounder the pearl, the more expensive its price tag. 

Symmetrical Pearls

Symmetrical pearls include pear shapes and other shapes that have symmetry from one side to another, but are not round.

Baroque Pearls

Baroque pearls vary considerably.  Some tend to be lesser quality than there spherical cousins, but some larger Baroque pearls can be hard to find and more expensive.                           

Coin Pearls                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Coin pearls are usually flat and round.  People prefer these pearls for their artistic shape and ability to be matched with other types of pearl.

Seed Pearls                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Seed pearls are very small, come in various colors and resemble popcorn kernels.  They can be found in many multi-strand jewelry or combined with other pearls.

Stick Pearls                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Stick pearls look just like the name implies.  They are a unique, fun freshwater pearl that can be used in many capacities.

Keshi Pearls                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Keshi pearls look like corn flakes.  They are extremely popular due to their creative appearance and being very lightweight.

Tooth Pearls                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Tooth pearls are very similar to stick pearls, but are generally a bit wider and flatter.  These are great for designs that hang down.

Buying Tips

Size
Pearl sizes are stated in millimeters. For round pearls, this indicates the diameter of the pearl. If it is another shape, such as teardrop, then the length, width and depth are usually given. If all factors are equal, the value of the pearl increases with size.

Shape
As stated above, the AAA quality, round pearls will be the most expensive, especially if choosing saltwater, Tahitian or Akoya pearls.  Most people choose their pearl shape based on individual style and whether the pearl will be combined with other shapes.  In general, small baroque and seed pearls tend to be the cheapest, while other shapes very in price depending on size and quality.

Color
Because pearls come in many colors, they are one of the few gemstones that can be said to truly complement any customer's complexion. White pearls simply "glow" against paler skin, while the dark-haired beauty might be better suited to creamy pearls. Rose pearls tend to highlight anyone's complexion, and as a result are always popular.

Luster
Luster is defined by the light reflections from the surface of the pearl. The more lustrous a pearl the more valuable and beautiful it is.

Blemishes
Since pearls are a naturally grown gemstone, no two are alike. Natural conditions such as water temperature and pollution impact the smoothness of the surface of the pearl. Some blemishes affect a pearl's appearance; others affect the durability, too. Surface condition is judged by considering size, number, location, visibility and types blemishes.

Nacre Quality
Nacre is the surface layer of the pearl. It is the result of the oyster coating the irritant with a substance that hardens and thickens with each layer. The deeper the layers, or nacre, the more lustrous and durable the pearl. If the nacre is too thin, the original "seed bead" may show through or the nacre may chip off.

Matching
Matching refers to the uniformity of appearance of the pearls in a piece of jewelry or strand. The more closely matched the pearls, the more pearls had to be sorted through, and therefore the more expensive the item.