icon

Free 2-Day FedEx On US Orders

*most orders ship in 24hrs

The Wide World of Pearls, Our 57th Issue: Pearls Around the World

 

 

Pearl Quote of the Week: "The pearl is the favorite of those who are surfeited with jewels. One may become tired of the diamond's splendor, but those who learn to appreciate the unobtrusive loveliness of the pearl seldom lose their fondness for them which is develops. It is the one gem which does not satiate." -  Wallis Richard Cattelle

 

 

Eye Candy

 

Pearl Eye Candy: Pretty Pink Freshwater Pearls

 

PRETTY IN PINK

Pearls don't have to be just white; this gorgeous pink Freshwater pearl bracelet is a perfect complement to the warm gold tones of the watch, and dusky rose hues of the clutch purse. A perfect choice for a hot date during the warm summer June nights.

 

 

You Ask ...We Answer.

Customer FAQs: Pearls From Around The World

 

Pearl Guide - Pearls Around the World

June is the month of the pearl ... so let's celebrate and learn about ALL the beautiful, various pearl types found around the world.

 

Cultured Hanadama Akoya Pearls

 

Cultured Akoya Pearls

Akoya pearls are perfectly round, sparkling and lustrous white pearls that are sure to amaze. Akoya pearls are the classic white pearls that are farmed in Japanese and Chinese ocean waters, have the highest luster and has the greatest shine of all cultured pearls.

Akoya Pearl Facts

Pearl Sizes: Akoya pearls range in size from 2.0-3.0mm up through 9.0-9.5mm, and very rarely, 9.5-10.0mm.

Pearl Colors: Traditional Akoya pearl colors are most famously white, but also include natural Silvery-Blue and even Golden hues.

Common Treatments: Dyed black Akoya pearls are also very common, and feature a very distinct Midnight Blue-Black color.

Pearl Shapes: The most valuable and traditional Akoya pearl shape is a true, perfect Round, but free form Baroque shapes are also available. Price Range: Prices range from $75 to the high thousands, depending on the jewelry type, size and quality of the pearls.

Good To Know: The BEST Akoya pearls are known as “Hanadama” Akoya which in Japanese means “Flower Pearls”.

 

Tahitian Pearl Jewelry

Tahitian Pearls

Black Tahitian pearls are vibrant, rare black pearls from French Polynesia, unmistakable and simply unforgettable. Tahitians, once upon a time, were so rare that they were considered the "Pearl of Queens". They are highly sought after because of their larger size, brilliant luster, and round shapes. Tahitian Pearls come from the warm waters of the South Sea and are grown in a Black-Lipped oyster.

Tahitian Pearl Facts

Pearl Sizes: Tahitian pearls range in size from 8.0-9.0mm up through 15.0-16.0mm, with the average sizes ranging from 9.0-10.0mm through 12.0-13.0mm. Sizes over 15.0mm are RARE, and very expensive.

Pearl Colors: The Tahitian pearl oyster, pinctada margaritifera, also known as the “Black Lip” oyster produces a variety of naturally colored black pearls, most typically shades of pastel Dove Greys to darker Charcoal Greys. Their more famous colors like Peacock, Green, Aubergine, etc., are called Overtones and are an iridescent, secondary color that appears to shimmer over the main grey body colors.

Common Treatments: Black Tahitian pearls are 99% of the time naturally colored with no treatments of any kind other than a gentle washing and buffing after harvest.

Pearl Shapes: Perfectly round Tahitian pearls are the most valued and rare. Free-form baroque, circled baroque and smooth baroque shapes that are symmetrical comprise the vast majority of shapes in each yearly pearl harvest.

Price Range: Prices range from $80 to the high thousands, depending on the jewelry type, size and quality of the pearls.

Good To Know: Cultured Tahitian pearls MUST have a 0.8mm MINIMUM nacre thickness in order to qualify for export from Tahiti to the larger pearl jewelry market.

 

South Sea Pearl Jewelry

South Sea Pearls

South Sea pearls are large and luminous White and Golden pearls. Being the most rare and sought after, South Sea pearls are known for their incredible size and beautiful satin lustre. South Sea pearls are saltwater pearls that are cultivated from the oyster, found centering on Northern Australia and South-East Asia, including Myanmar and Indonesia.

 

South Sea Pearl Facts 

Pearl Sizes: South Sea pearls are generally the largest cultured pearl type. Ranging in size from 8.0-9.0mm up through 20.0mm, with the average sizes ranging from 9.0-10.0mm through 14.0-15.0mm. Sizes over 15.0mm are RARE, and very expensive.

Pearl Colors: The South Sea pearl oyster, Pinctada can be either “Silver-lipped” or “Gold-lipped” varieties, and produces natural shades of White and Gold respectively.

Common Treatments: 99% of all South Sea pearls undergo NO treatment of any kind other than a gentle washing and buffing after harvest.

Pearl Shapes: South Sea pearls that are perfectly round are the most valuable and rare. Free form baroque, circled baroque and smooth baroque shapes that are symmetrical comprise the vast majority of shapes in each yearly pearl harvest.

Price Range: Prices range from $200 to the tens of thousands, depending on the jewelry type, size and quality of the pearls.

Good To Know: Cultured South Sea pearls have the thickest nacre layers of all saltwater cultured pearl types, averaging around 2.0-4.0mm thick around the pearl’s bead nucleus. These extremely thick nacre layers are responsible for the South Sea pearl’s trademark “satiny” luster that imparts a subtle glow (rather than the “hard shine” of the Japanese Akoya, for example).

 

Freshwater Pearl Jewelry

Freshwater Pearls

Pearls for the fashion forward. Originally marketed as the lesser quality and inexpensive alternatives to Akoya pearls, Freshwater pearls have now emerged as rivals to Akoya pearls in both quality and value. Since the 1990s, a new class of round and lustrous freshwater pearls have emerged giving buyers the widest range of options in size, shape and color. Freshwater pearls come from freshwater mussels and are primarily produced in China.

 

Freshwater Pearl Facts

Pearl Sizes: Freshwater pearls range in size from 2.0-3.0mm up through 11.0-12.0mm, with new experimental varieties attaining sizes of 14.0-15.0mm!

Pearl Colors: The Freshwater pearl mussel produces a variety of natural colors, most typically pastel shades of pink, peach, lavender and white.

Common Treatments: Dyed black Freshwater pearls are commonly referred to as Peacock due to their highly iridescent blue-green and violet hues. Other dyed Freshwater pearl colors include red, gold, green, purple, blue and pink.

Pearl Shapes: The most valuable Freshwater pearl shape is as close to a true round as possible, but symmetrical and free form Baroque shapes are also widely available.

Price Range: Prices range from $30 to the high thousands, depending on the jewelry type, size and quality of the pearls.

Good To Know: MOST cultured Freshwater pearls are “tissue-nucleated” meaning that a small, 1.0mm square piece of donor mantle tissue is used as the nuclei to begin pearl cultivation inside the mussel. As the pearl grows, the donor tissue degrades, leaving a pearl that is nearly 100% solid crystalline nacre. This means that Freshwater pearls are VERY durable!

 

Email Us a Question

 

Join the World of Pearls Facebook Group

 

 

Weekly Video

 

Weekly Video Review

 

 

Featured Pearls

Featured Pearls of the Week: Golden South Sea Baroque Pearl on Leather Necklace 

 

Golden Baroque Pearl Leather Necklace

This Golden pearl leather necklace certainly portrays the beauty of the Philippines with a gorgeous colors that symbolize all the beauty the South Sea has to offer. The pearl is AAA in quality with gorgeous overtones and high luster.

The pearl is set on a fashionable leather strand. All Golden pearls are imported directly from the shores of the Philippines. Each purchase is accompanied with a certificate of authenticity, verifying the source and quality of the pearls.

 

  • Comes finished with gold mountings of your choice.
  • Includes Certificate of Authenticity.

 

 View Product Details

Sign Up for Instant Savings!

Get it Quick

Free 2-Day FedEx on all orders within the USA. Overnight delivery options start at $35.

Orders Ship Fast

Most orders ship within 1-2 business days, sometimes same day.

We Ship Worldwide

International shipping is affordable and fast. Most international packages arrive in 2-4 business days.

Worry Free Delivery

Your package is fully insured. If your order is lost or stolen before delivery, we got you covered.