Many people don’t realize it, but pearls are just as versatile as gemstones and diamonds. When buying a pearl beaded necklace, there are so many things to consider: the color of the pearls, the shape, quality, etc. Most of the necklaces you come across are cultured, or harvested. Natural pearls are very rare.
Harvested pearls are just as lovely as naturally occurring ones. However, some harvest pearls are worth more than others. Akoya is considered to be the most lustrous type. These are known for their warm color. South sea pearls have a silver appearance. Burmese pearls are very warm in color tone.
Freshwater pearls are cultivated in mollusks. They are found in freshwater rivers and lakes. They are quite translucent and have elongated shapes.
When you shop for a pearl beaded necklace, you’ll see that they are available in different colors: pure white, cream, pink, silver, yellow, and black. Some of these colors occur naturally while others are treated in labs.
One thing that really affects the price of a necklace is the smoothness. During the layering process inside of the oyster, the nacre might not be of good quality. Sometimes tiny flaws appear in pearls affecting the overall smoothness.
The nacre varies in thickness as well. This thickness dictates the size of the pearl. For most consumers, a freshwater pearl beaded necklace is ideal because they are large. Akoya pearls range from 6.0 – 8.5mm, and Tahitian and South Sea pearls are almost twice that.
Here is an overview of the styles of pearl beaded necklaces:
• Choker: 14” – 15” in length
• Sautoir (rope): Extra-length necklace, usually more than 36” in length
• Princess: Approximately 18” in length
• Opera: 30 – 36” in length, falls to the breastbone
• Matinee: Falls to the top of the cleavage
What style of necklace do you want? How many strands?
Pearl Beaded Necklace Styles
A uniform necklace is made with numerous pearls of the same size and shape, although there can be a slight size difference between the end and center pearls for a proportionate look.
A graduated necklace is composed of pearls which taper downward in size from the center to the ends.
There are also multi-strand beaded necklaces. These go well with simple outfits. When you wear so many beads around your neck, they should be the highlight of your outfit. You don’t want to overdo the look by wearing something more than a simple dress.
Once you choose the perfect pearl beaded necklace, here are a few tips on how to take care of it:
• Treat the pearls just as you would any precious jewels.
• Don’t clean them with abrasives or chemicals.
• Don’t expose them to hairspray, perfume, or cosmetics.
• Whenever you take the necklace off, gently wipe it with mild soap and warm water.
• When not wearing it, wrap it in a tissue when putting it in your jewelry box.
Now you have an understanding of pearl necklaces. Just use this guide as a starting point and you should be able to find the necklace of your dreams!
So, where can you find your dream pearl beaded necklace? The best place to look is at SuperJeweler.com. You’ll find huge discounts on pearls, diamonds, rubies, and more. Save hundreds of dollars on everything from pearl necklaces to diamond earrings!