The Pearl Secrets Buying Guide
Well-Shaped, Yet Affordable Pearl
So, you want to buy a pearl. A good decision! Not only
are pearls beautiful, timeless and fascinating, they also
make great household decorations and splendid conversation
pieces. Every year, millions of people around the world
purchase pearls, either as Jewellery, decorative pieces,
or even as investments ( in the case of top quality pearl jewelry ).
Unfortunately, many consumers don't do their research before buying pearls.
Pearls vary widely in terms of roundness, smoothness and durability. For this
reason, it's absolutely crucial that you do your homework before purchasing
pearls.
Fortunately, even as someone who has never bought a pearl before, it's possible
to find exactly the pearl (or pearl jewelry) for you. The following 6 tips will
provide some basic suggestions to make the best decision.
Secret #1
Saltwater Vs. Freshwater
Many people don't know that pearl-growing clams can be found in both salt and fresh water.
Some things to keep in mind here include
Fresh water pearls come from Molluscs, while Salt water pearls come from oysters.
The benefit of molluscs is that they can create 2 or 3 pearls in one shell, and in just 1 to
2 years. A saltwater oyster, on the other hand, can create only 1 pearl in its lifetime and it
takes 2 to 5 years.
Generally, both freshwater and salt water pearls are good.
In the past, Salt Water pearls had a better reputation because
they were 'shinier'.
However, the Freshwater molluscs of today are fed and bred using modern
techniques, and thus can produce pearls as lustrous as those from saltwater
oysters.
For this reason, Freshwater Pearls are the best combination of
quality and value.
Secret #2
Size Matters!
Pearls come in all shapes and sizes, from 2mm all the way up to 18mm.
Here are a few things to pay attention to when deciding on what size
of pearl to buy
One reason you want to pay attention to size is
because Size has a huge impact on price.
Pearl sets ranging in size from 5 to 6 mm are very
common and easy to find. The prices for 5 to 6mm pearls
are very low because they are so common. However, 5 to
6mm pearls will not be highly visible or prominent on your
neck.
The next size, 6 to 7mm, is still readily available at good prices.
Necklaces in the 6 to7mm range look good and aren't too pricey. These
pearls will display prominently on your neck and will definitely be
visible.
The best size, in terms of value, is 7 to 8mm. These look gorgeous;
compared to 5 to 6mm set, these pearls are 40% bigger and much more
visible. Visually this size is very appealing yet not flaunting... A
perfect set for that special outing or theatre evening.
If your heart is set on something bigger, keep in mind that sizes 8mm
and up are in the ‘high end’ category. These pearls can be difficult to
find and are generally expensive.
Secret #3
The Shape Of Things To Come
The next factor you need to consider is shape. Some
things to keep in mind here
While you might think of pearls as spherical, the truth is
they come in all sizes as well as shapes. There are round
pearls; off-round pearls (that is, nearly round but not quite);
oval pearls; stick-shaped pearls, and even coin-shaped pearls.
Which shape of pearl you buy is ultimately a matter of personal
preference. Complex Jewelry items like brooches and rings usually
use spherical or oval pearls.
If you want to make a necklace out of perfectly round pearls,
you need to make sure that they actually are. Keep in mind: A
pearl is not always the same shape it appears to be at first
glance. Sometimes you need to take a closer look to see what
shape it really is. What you should do is roll them out on a
table. The ones that "wobble" aren't truly round.
Secret #4
How Luster Effects Pearl Quality
Lustre is certainly one of the most prized
qualities in a pearl. Here's what you need to
know
Here, the key is to rely on the
vendor's reputation and to perhaps
ask for additional pictures if you
aren't sure about the lighting.
vendor's reputation and to perhaps
ask for additional pictures if you
aren't sure about the lighting.
Secret #5
A Perfect Surface?
Another thing you need to pay attention to
when buying pearls is the surface.
Secret #6
Where To Buy Pearls?
And now, the most important topic of all!
That is--who do you trust with your money?
Who do you BUY your pearls from?
It would be tempting to recommend that you buy from PearlsOnly.com. It is one of the best vendors on the web, but for the sake of impartiality, this article will stick to unbiased advice.
It would be tempting to recommend that you buy from PearlsOnly.com. It is one of the best vendors on the web, but for the sake of impartiality, this article will stick to unbiased advice.
1
Those who have a strong need to
touch and feel the pearl before they
buy them.
2
Those who are comfortable ordering
from an online store.
3
Undecided.
IF you are part of categories 1 or 2, you have probably made up your mind already.
If you are part of category 3, know this:
When you're buying online, there are ways to verify the quality of the pearl
you're buying. It's more complicated, yes; but not impossible. There aren't
always hard and fast rules, but the 5 tips below will never lead you astray:
The pearl buying check list
Conclusion
When buying pearls, it is important to consider what you are buying
them for. Are you buying them for use in a necklace? As Jewelry? For
use in art or decoration? This is the first thing you need to think
about when making a decision to purchase pearls. After that, consider
the advice in this article to make the right decision about your purchase.
Every pearl buyer has different needs. As pearl vendors, we provide you
the advice you need to find the pearl that meets them.