The Ultimate Pearl Jewelry Buying Guide. There is nothing quite as magical as the pearl. It boasts a dreamy and luxurious attribute which is not found within any other type of jewelry. But, how can you tell whether your pearls are of high quality or not?
When it comes to diamonds there is an official grading system in place which makes it a lot easier. However, there is no equivalent for pearls, which is why it is difficult to determine a pearl’s level of quality. Nonetheless, it is certainly not impossible and this article is here to provide you with a helping hand.
What should you consider when assessing a pearl’s quality?
The five main qualities you should assess are as follows; shape, luster, surface, size, and color.
Let’s look at these in more detail…
Shape – This is divided into three different categories; spherical, symmetrical and baroque. This is in the order of most desirable and most expensive to least desirable and least expensive. The reason why the spherical pearl is highly sought after is that it is perfectly rounded.
Luster – Seek pearls with a good nacre thickness in order to benefit from an intense luster. Pearls with a poor quality or thin nacre often look dull.
Surface – The smoother the pearl is the better. You should also make sure it is as blemish free as possible.
Size – Large pearls are more expensive and rarer. They tend to be over 16 mm in size. Medium pearls are categorized as between 13 mm to 15 mm whilst small pearls are 8 mm.
Color – This is separated into two categories; the body color and the orient. The body color is the primary color of the pearl i.e. light or dark. The orient can be rainbow or iridescent. If you are looking for light pearls you should seek either pink, white rose or pink rose. If you are seeking dark pearls go for black with a metallic green overtone.
What types of pearls are available?
Another important decision you need to make when purchasing pearls is what type you are going to go for. The main types of pearls are as follows; Akoya pearls, South Sea pearls, Tahitian pearls, and Freshwater pearls. You also have Abalone pearls, Circle pearls, Keshii pearls, and Mabe pearls as well. Akoya pearls are round, ladylike, white and lustrous with a rose glow. This is why Akoya pearls are considered classic pearls. Freshwater pearls are affordable yet still boast a high level of quality. This is why Freshwater pearls make excellent Mother’s Day gift ideas and birthday gift ideas too.
How do you look after pearl jewelry?
Once you have purchased your pearls, you need to know how to look after them properly if they are going to look stunning for many months and years to come. Make sure your pearls do not get exposed to acids, such as perfume or hair spray, and gently wipe them with a soft cloth once you have removed them for the day. If you are going to clean your pearls avoid any harsh chemicals. Baby shampoo or another type of soft soap is more than enough.
How to tell whether a pearl is real or fake
Nothing quite matches up with the beauty of a real pearl. It is dreamy, elegant and romantic all wrapped up in one, making it a great gift choice. When you take this beauty into account, it is of very little surprise that there have been so many imitation pearls manufactured as a result. This is great for those who want to create the stunning effect pearl jewelry has, yet may not have the bank balance to be able to afford it. However, for those who are looking for real pearls, there is simply nothing worse than accidentally purchasing imitation ones. If you think you may have been ripped off then use one of the following two tests to determine whether your pearls are the real deal…
Friction test
One excellent way of determining whether your pearls are real or not is to take a look at the amount of friction generated when they are rubbed together. Real pearls should generate a noticeable amount. You will only need two pearls from your jewelry in order to perform this test. Lightly rub the two pearls against one another. If you notice some resistance then this indicates that your pearls are real. However, if they are entirely smooth then I am afraid that there is a very high chance that they are fake.
Tooth test
Aside from the friction test another popular method to use is called the tooth test. This test is based on the fact that most fake pearls can actually be distinguished based on the texture of their surface. Therefore, by rubbing the pearls against your teeth you should be able to determine what the texture is like. All you need to do is gently rub the pearl in question along your upper front teeth. Make sure it is along the biting edge. What is the texture like? If it is smooth then it is likely to be fake. However, if it feels rather gritty then there is every chance that it is real.
As you can see, there is a lot to be considered when choosing pearl jewelry for yourself or someone you love. If you follow the advice presented above, you can make sure you purchase high-quality jewelry and that you don’t fall victim to fake pearls.
Thank you,’
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
