Pearls will never lose their place at the top of the list of jewelry trends. Their classic appeal and elegant vibe appeals to everyone and always will. Pearls have achieved that elusive timeless quality, something a lot of other jewelry trends have failed to do. This article answers all of your questions regarding the different types of pearls, how they are graded, what type of ring setting you should go for and so on and so forth. So, let’s dig deeper…
What types of pearls are there?
- Akoya pearls – Akoya pearls are undoubtedly the most popular. They are highly sought after because of their delicate natural shades, such as light pink and white, as well as their round shape.
- South Sea pearls – These pearls are grown in the South Seas by the Pinctada maxima oyster. They are large in size and typically white or yellow in colour.
- Freshwater pearls – You can get natural freshwater pearls that have been grown in sweet or freshwater. However, there are those that are cultured on pearl farms with human intervention. Cultured freshwater pearls are available in an array of colours.
- Tahitian pearls – These pearls are formed from the Pinctada margaritifera-cumingi oyster, otherwise known as the black lip oyster. Consequently they are naturally black in colour.
How are pearls graded for quality?
If you are wondering how to tell whether a piece of pearl jewelry is of quality or not, the Mikimoto Grading System is generally what you will turn to. The five grades are explained below…
- AAA – This is a pearl that has a blemish-free surface and boasts an exceptional lustre.
- AA – The pearl will be very slightly blemished and have a clear reflection.
- A+ - This pearl will boast be very slightly blemished with a very good lustre.
- A – This is a very slightly blemished pearl with a good reflection.
- A1 – This pearl will be slightly blemished and will have a good lustre.
When buying pearls, you need to be cautious to ensure that they are genuine. This is especially the case when purchasing from websites like eBay. You should read this guide on how to report infringements on eBay if you have noticed that someone is selling fake pearls and marketing them as genuine. This is the only way to ensure that we make inroads when it comes to preventing people from being scammed into buying something that is not genuine.
What ring settings are appropriate for pearls?
Last but not least, it is vital to determine what settings are appropriate so that your pearl is protected and does not fall out of the ring. If you choose a high quality bespoke jeweller they will be able to tell you what setting is going to be the best for your pearls in particular.
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