Pearls have been one of the most beloved gems through the ages, from ancient royalty to contemporary baseball players, with their color, shape, and luster making them stand out in the gem world. Their soft glow and silky feel convey comfort and elegance, and these gems remain popular in necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, and more.
What is a Pearl?
Pearls are treasures born in rivers, lakes, and oceans when an irritant like a grain of sand enters the shell of certain mollusks. Over time, the mollusk coats the irritant with layers of protein (known as nacre),forming a beautiful, lustrous gem.
What's the Difference Between Natural and Cultured Pearls?
Natural pearls form without any human intervention, making them extremely rare and much more expensive than cultured pearls. Over the last century, natural pearls have become increasingly scarce, leading to the fascinating science of pearl cultivation.
Cultured pearls are formed inside mollusks, but technicians stimulate nacre production by inserting an artificial irritant. The resulting gems are much more affordable yet just as real and beautiful as natural pearls. The majority of pearls available on the market today are cultured.
How to Choose Pearls
At the end of the day, the best advice we can give on choosing pearls is to select one that makes you feel like a million dollars when you wear it. Here are some things to consider when buying pearls:
Size
Pearls are measured in millimeters, typically ranging from 5 to 16 mm. Freshwater pearls are usually the smallest, followed by slightly larger Akoya pearls. Tahitian pearls have an average size that comes in second, while South Sea pearls are generally the largest. Pearls of various sizes look stunning when paired with other jewelry or worn alone.
Shape
The rarest are round pearls, but pearl enthusiasts also love semi-round and baroque pearls, which are used for pendants, earrings, and accent stones.
Color
Pearls come in many colors, but their comparative value is purely a matter of personal taste. Try holding different colored pearls against your skin to see the subtle secondary tones they bring out.
Luster
When light enters a pearl, it reflects off the nacre layers, creating what we call luster—a rich glow. The simplest way to evaluate pearl luster is to look for reflections within the pearl—a high-quality luster with multiple layers of nacre will reflect your face back at you.
Surface
While many prefer a smooth pearl surface, even the most precious pearls might have some blemishes—these minor marks reflect the natural beauty of the growth process.
Pearls for Everyone
For centuries, the silvery sheen of pearls has been cherished, symbolizing the purity and protection of the moon. Today, pearls are cultivated in beautiful shades like white, rose, green, and even black.
Although pearls are the birthstone for June, we believe pearls are for everyone. Classic white pearls are a traditional accent for formal wear, but if you lean towards bold styles, consider wearing a strand of black pearls or a pair of green pearl drop earrings.
No matter your personality, there's a style for you—we offer a rich selection of freshwater, South Sea, Akoya, and Tahitian saltwater pearls to choose from.
Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater pearls are slightly smaller than saltwater pearls and come in a variety of natural colors, including subtle tones like white, cream, and soft pink. Their soft, bright hues make them excellent for delicate items like earrings and beaded jewelry.
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Akoya Pearls
Akoya pearls are formed in the smallest pearl-producing saltwater oysters and were the first pearls successfully cultured in Japan in the 1920s. Today, these high-quality pearls are farmed worldwide. Akoya pearls are round and symmetrical, ideal for timeless necklaces and earring sets, revered for their luster and deep white tones.
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South Sea Pearls
South Sea pearls are cherished for their round shape and signature white color, making them among the rarest cultured pearls. These unique gems form in a highly sensitive oyster called the white-lipped pearl oyster, resulting in exceptionally large and smooth pearls. Their high luster dazzles in items like studs, pendants, and drops for personalized adornments.
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Tahitian Pearls
Tahitian pearls are the indie rock stars of the gem world, cultivated in black-lipped saltwater oysters, and are the only naturally colored black pearls. Their dark shades range from deep gray to pure black, often with subtle green or purple tones, making them focal points for necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
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