October 26, 2007, Newsletter Issue #110: Buying Pearls

Tip of the Week

Generally, when you are buying pearls, you want to consider several factors. They include luster, shape, blemishes, size and color. Luster refers to the brilliance of the pearl and to how the surface of the pearl reflects light as well as to its “inner glow” - refracting light from the layers of nacre. Blemishes relate to surface quality or the number of blemishes on a pearl. Natural pearls have blemishes while imitation pearls do not. Blemishes include holes or cracks in the surface of the pearl, and flaking nacre. Shape is usually round, but pearls are rarely perfect spheres. Consistency is the most important factor in choosing a shape for beads in a necklace or for beading in general. Color would typically be white or off white but pearls come in many different colors. Color preference is really a matter of personal taste. Size is also an important factor. Pearls range from under 1mm to 20mm. In round pearls, the most popular size sold today is 7mm to 7.5mm. Generally, the larger the pearl the greater it's value but only when taking into account the other factors mentioned. Smaller pearls can be more expensive in price though, because pearls typically come on a 16" temporary strand. Obviously, this would mean that you will get more small pearls on a strand and thus making the strand more expensive to purchase.

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