With the tremendous variety of pearls on the market today, pearls are considered the least understood of all gemstones. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the different type of pearls, pearl grading, their history and care.

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Learn About Pearls

Pearl Education

Welcome to the world of pearls. With the tremendous variety of pearls on the market today, pearls are considered the least understood of all gemstones. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the different types of pearls, pearl grading, their history and care.

Types of Pearls

  • Akoya Pearls

    The Classic Pearl

    Akoya Pearl

    For nearly 100 years, akoya pearls grown off the coast of Japan have been the classic pearl of choice. When one pictures a round strand of white pearls, they are usually thinking of akoya.

    Although rare baroque shapes and natural colors like silver-blue and gold do exist, akoya pearls are best known for their perfectly round shape and sharp, reflective luster.

    While exceptions do exist, most akoya pearls produced today range in sizes from 4 to 10 mm.

    If you are looking for a classic strand of round, white pearls, you are probably looking for a strand of akoya pearls.

  • Freshwater Pearls

    The Fashion-Forward Pearl

    Freshwater Pearl

    The most affordable pearls sold today, freshwater pearls are known for baroque shapes, white and pastel body colors and softer luster than akoya (except in the case of rare metallics).

    With natural pastel colors and shapes that range from perfectly round to free-form baroque, freshwater pearls offer a widest range of options.

    Common sizes range from 5 mm to 12 mm, but recent advances have led to the development of round and baroque pearls as large as 20 mm.

    If you are looking for an affordable piece or something more fashion-forward with unique combinations of colors and shapes, shop freshwater pearls.

  • Tahitian Pearls

    The Dark, Exotic Pearl

    Tahitian Pearl

    Tahitian pearls grown in French Polynesia are the only naturally dark pearls. Although often referred to as black, Tahitian pearls come in a rainbow of exotic colors.

    Round Tahitian pearls are quite rare but other fun shapes like drops, baroques and ovals are highly-sought and still considered very valuable.

    When measured perpendicular to the drill hole, most Tahitians range in size from 8 mm to 15 mm regardless of shape.

    If you are looking for a naturally dark pearls that go well with almost any style, Tahitian pearls may be your best choice.

  • South Sea Pearls

    The Rolls Royce of Pearls

    South Sea Pearl

    Grown primarily in Australia the Philippines and Indonesia and ranging in color from white to gold, South Sea pearls are the largest saltwater pearls grown today.

    Because of their tremendous size, perfectly round South Sea pearls are quite rare. Other more common shapes are drops, baroques and ovals. All are considered very valuable.

    While South Sea pearls range in size from 8 mm to 18 mm, the most common sizes range from 10 mm to 14 mm.

    If you looking for the statement piece of jewelry with large pearls, South Sea may be the way to go.

Selecting a Pearl

One of the most important considerations in selecting a piece of pearl jewelry is determining the type of pearl that is best suited to your budget and preference. There are two basic varieties of cultured pearls; freshwater and saltwater. Freshwater pearls are grown primarily in man-made lakes and reservoirs in China. Saltwater pearls, which include akoya, Tahitian and South Sea, are grown in bays, inlets and atolls in many places around the world. Saltwater pearls are considered more valuable than freshwater pearls, although rare and very high-quality freshwater pearls can be exceedingly valuable.

Grading Pearls

Pearl grading is one of the most difficult aspects of pearl selection to understand. There is no officially recognized, standard system for grading pearls, except in the case of Tahitian pearls, where grading and export is controlled by the French Polynesian government. For that reason, it is important to understand the grading used by the company from which you purchase. A detailed explanation of luster, surface, shape and color is necessary to make an educated purchase decision. We invite you to examine our grading system in detail.

Pearl Care

Pearls are the world’s only organic gemstone, and therefore, tend to be quite delicate. Proper care of your pearl jewelry is essential to ensure your investment will last a lifetime. Personal care products, such as perfume or hairspray, can severely damage the luster and beauty of a pearl. With each piece of pearl jewelry ordered from PearlParadise.com, you will receive a pearl-care kit with instructions on how to care for your purchase.