Jewellery guide: What you need to know about pearls
You're pearl-fect
As sun-kissed days beckon, there’s no better way to embrace the warmth than by accessorising with pearls to match the summer’s radiance. Its enduring elegance has stood against centuries so no matter if you’re attending a seaside escape or attending soirées under the stars, these little iridescent delights will add a touch of refinement to every ensemble.
Renowned for their classic charm and versatility, pearls are a great addition to any jewellery collection. As the world of pearl jewellery offers a wide array of options for the discerning buyer, this quick guide aims to simplify the intricacies of pearls, providing insights into their types and grading, ensuring you make wise decisions before making that grand purchase.
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UNDERSTANDING TYPES
In the world of pearls, there exist the iridescent Akoya pearls, with their white hue that exudes sheer elegance. Yet, amidst this beauty, there is also Tahitian Pearls with their captivating darker hues that add a touch of drama to any style. Beyond these renowned varieties lie countless others, each type offers distinct characteristics and price points. Factors such as lustre, surface quality, shape, and size significantly impact their value.
Akoya pearls, for example, are celebrated for their stunning lustre and nearly perfect round shape. These saltwater pearls are primarily cultivated in Japan and range in colour from white to cream, often with subtle overtones of rose or silver. Freshwater pearls, on the other hand, are generally more common. Available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colours, they are ideal for everyday wear and style.
Tahitian pearls stand out for their exotic dark hues, ranging from black and grey to even peacock green. These pearls are cultivated in the warm waters of French Polynesia and are prized for their dramatic appearance. South Sea pearls are known to be the largest and most luxurious. Cultivated in the waters of Australia, the Philippines, and Indonesia, they range in colour from white and silver to deep gold, making them a symbol of opulence and refined taste.
DOES SIZE MATTER?
Pearls may be different from diamonds, but size still matters in terms of its visual impact and rarity as larger pearls are indeed harder to find. Nevertheless, pearls are judged not just based on their size, but also if they possess other desirable qualities such as shape, shine and type of surface. What is deemed a perfect pearl you may wonder? A high-quality pearl would have an almost perfect round shape with a smooth, clean surface with minimal imperfections, and deep, reflective luster that appears to glow from within. That’s a high-quality pearl, but of course, pearls of other shapes and colours are also deemed beautiful.
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Today, pearls continue to hold a prominent place in the realm of jewellery. You’ll find every shape and form meticulously crafted into delicate or statement earrings, necklaces, pendants, bags, shoes and even clothing articles. Here you’ll find a curated selection of our favourites, the ones that best showcase these timeless treasures.
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