Pearl earrings are very classy and will never be out of fashion. Today pearls are matched with precious and semi-precious stones to make the jewelry look more appealing to younger and modern consumers. You are looking to purchase a new pair of pearl earrings but don’t know what to look for? Don’t worry! In this article, you will find out what you have to look for when shopping for pearl earrings and what variety of pearls and designs you can choose from.

Natural vs. Cultured Pearls

Natural pearls are formed when an irritant gets into the oyster’s soft tissue. The animal produces a secretion that coats this irritant. The oyster’s defense mechanism will deposit many layers of coating on the irritant, making it very smooth. As a result, a natural pearl is born. The cultured pearls are formed in the same way as the natural ones. The difference is that in the beginning the irritant does not enter inside the oyster by accident, but it is “implanted” there.

Natural pearls are very rare and hard to find. It can take more than 100,000 oysters to find sufficient pearls to create a pearl necklace. In addition to this, it is also very hard to match the color of natural pearls. That is why a well-matched natural pearl necklace can be extremely pricey. It is far more effective to “implant” an oyster than to dive and search for natural pearls. Cultured pearls have the great advantage of having their size and color monitored during their development.

The color of the pearls

There are many colors natural pearls can take, including white, cream, grey, gold, silver or black. The color of the natural pearl depends on the area and the type of oyster. For example, true black pearls can be hard to find, making them really rare. Most black pearls on the market are in fact dyed white pearls. Pearls can be dyed to receive different colors, including green, blue, red, or pink.

Pearl shape and drop earrings

Because of their process of formation, round natural pearls are very rare. A pair of perfectly round pearl earrings will be very expensive. It is very important for pearl earrings to have pearls that match in size and shape. You should inspect the pearls of your next chandelier earrings so that they are symmetrical. If you find any irregularities you should ask for another pair.

drop earrings

Pearl size and chandelier earrings

Try on the pearl earrings before purchasing. The size of the pearls needs to be proportionate to the size and shape of your face. If you have a small face, it looks overwhelming to wear large pearl drop earrings.  If you intend to purchase a pair of pearl earrings as a birthday present, you can try using a photograph of the “birthday girl” to see how she would look wearing them.

Pearl luster, surface quality, and thickness

The luster does not refer to the pearl’s shininess, but how reflective it is. The higher it reflects (luster), the more will the pearls appear to glow. The pearls with poor luster have distorted and “muddy” reflections.

pearl earrings

Pearls can also be wrinkly, scratched or bumpy on the surface. Check out your next pair of rose gold earrings to ensure an unblemished, smooth surface.  You should also look at the areas where the pearl has been drilled (if it was drilled). If you see that the pearl might be cracked, then it means that the pearl is prone to more cracking in the future.

How to choose a pair of pearl earrings

Pearls can be worn by women of all ages, but some can look better than others. How do you know which one is right for you (or for her)? Pearls of different shapes and sizes can be attributed to certain age groups, making it easier to determine what would suit a woman best.

  • Younger teens or petite women usually wear smaller pearls with sizes between 5.5mm and 6.5mm. The size of the pearl will suit their face and body, but will also offer that classy pearl look.
  • First buyers tend to go for earrings with pearls between 6.5mm and 7.5mm. The size of the pearl is considered medium, but medium pearl earrings look luxurious and are very affordable at the same time.
  • Women in their twenties – early thirties like earrings with pearls between 7.5mm and 8.5mm. This is the perfect size for a career woman because even though they are not too showy, they emanate poise.
  • Women who love pearls prefer sizes of 8.5 – 9.5mm. These larger pearls are ideal for women who are looking for sophistication and elegance. These pearls are usually a great anniversary gift.
  • The pearls over 9.5mm are usually worn by mature women, as they make an extravagant statement.

Now it is time to check out the different types of earrings. If you are buying for yourself then you can make the best choice which you think it will suit you and match your outfit. If you are purchasing a pair of earrings for a loved one or a friend, you can look what type of earrings they prefer. There are many types of pearl earrings you can choose from, including drop earrings, chandelier earrings, stud earrings and many more.

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Ruxandra
Ruxandra is a fashion blogger who teaches fashion stumped twenty to thirty somethings how to shop their jewelry boxes for polished new ensembles. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Fashionista, Nylon, and Refinery29.