Frequently asked questions
Are natural pearls better? Are cultured pearls fake and should be avoided?
As a jewelry enthusiast, many people might think that "natural" pearls are expensive and high-quality, while "cultured" pearls are fake and worthless.
This rule might apply to some other gemstones. However, the most important concept to understand about pearls is this: The vast majority of pearls sold on the market today are cultured pearls!
Genuine natural pearls are extremely rare, and when they do appear, they command astronomical prices!
The reason natural pearls are so expensive is that their formation is entirely dependent on chance.
When a foreign object accidentally enters the shell and mantle tissue of a mother-of-pearl oyster, the oyster, in order to protect itself, continuously secretes a calcium carbonate substance, which is nacre.
Even if a pearl is formed by chance, its shape and quality may not be good enough to be made into jewelry, so every piece of jewelry set with a natural pearl is extremely precious!
Cultured pearls, on the other hand, simulate this process through artificial intervention, striving to increase the "birth rate" of pearls!
Although the technology for cultured pearls has been developing for over 130 years and is quite mature, it is by no means simple!
Having discussed natural and cultured pearls, let's talk about artificial pearls. These are purely laboratory products. Most of these "pearls" are made from shell powder, resin, plastic, etc., and differ greatly from real pearls in luster and colour.
Saltwater pearls?Freshwater pearls? Which is better and more expensive?
You might wonder: since most pearls are cultured, why is there such a large price difference between them?
A key factor influencing pearl prices is the distinction between saltwater and freshwater pearls.
Saltwater pearls require the ocean for cultivation, while freshwater pearls can be grown in rivers, lakes, or even fishponds. Furthermore, saltwater cultivation is more expensive and complex than freshwater cultivation!
Because temperature and water quality are unpredictable in the ocean, pearl farming requires highly specialized equipment and precise control over various factors affecting the pearl oyster's growth. This demands a high level of skill and experience.
Saltwater pearls are produced on a "one oyster, one pearl" basis, with a cultivation cycle lasting several years, resulting in extremely limited production.
Furthermore, saltwater pearls are generally larger, with thicker nacre layers, and are of higher quality and luster than freshwater
pearls, making them more expensive.
Commonly heard of varieties like Australian white pearls, South Sea golden pearls, Tahitian black pearls, and Akoya pearls are
all saltwater pearls. Freshwater pearls, on the other hand, can produce multiple pearls from a single oyster, resulting in a significantly higher yield than saltwater pearls.
The cultivation cycle for freshwater pearls is also much shorter than for saltwater pearls, making them relatively cheaper.
How do you judge the quality of pearls?
Unlike colored precious stones, judging the quality of pearls isn't so much about "pedigree." Take sapphires, for example! A small Burmese sapphire can be much more expensive than a Madagascar sapphire.
However, the price of a pearl depends on a comprehensive evaluation of its luster, size, shape, and surface smoothness. Everyone knows Australian white pearls are expensive, but their high price isn't due to their origin, but rather their variety.
Generally speaking, Australian white pearls are superior to other pearls in all aspects. However, this doesn't mean that Akoya, Tahitian black pearls, etc., are necessarily inferior to Australian white pearls.
As long as the quality reaches the top of each variety, the price will be high!
Luster
The shinier the pearl, the higher the price.
It's widely believed in the industry that the luster of a pearl is the most important factor affecting its price; the shinier the pearl, the higher the price. However, the luster of a pearl is actually closely related to its nacreous layer.
The main component of the nacreous layer is calcium carbonate, which effectively disperses and reflects light, giving the pearl its unique luster. Pearls with thicker nacreous layers tend to have higher luster and more uniform surface color and texture. These are what's known in the pearl world as "thick-skinned" pearls. They look bright and luxurious, almost shimmering!
Therefore, they tend to be more expensive. Here's a simple way to evaluate them—"look in a mirror!" Observe how clearly the pearl reflects your face. Generally, the clearer the reflection, the better the luster.
Size
The larger the pearl, the higher the price. When buying pearls, you often hear terms like "large" and "small," which refer to the size of the pearl. It's also closely related to the type. For example, Akoya pearls are characterized by their small size and brilliance, while Australian white pearls tend to be larger. They can be larger than many other types of pearls!
Comparing pearls of the same type, larger pearls are generally more expensive. This is because larger pearls mean they have grown for a longer period and have a thicker nacre layer, thus receiving higher evaluations in various aspects.
Shape
The rounder the pearl, the higher the price.
There's an old Chinese saying, "A pearl is round and lustrous," so naturally, the rounder the pearl, the better.
However, recently, two special contenders in the pearl world—Baroque and Keshi—have become exceptionally popular.
Baroque comes from Portuguese and means "not-round pearl." The full, round pearls commonly seen in high-end jewelry are actually carefully selected by hand. Most cultured pearls don't have such a perfect shape. These can be collectively called Baroque pearls!
Baroque comes from Portuguese and means "imperfect pearl." The full, round pearls commonly seen in high-end jewelry are actually carefully selected by hand. Most pearls formed during the cultured pearl process are not perfectly shaped. These can be collectively called baroque pearls! Another type, the Keshi pearl, while also irregularly shaped, is formed for a different reason than baroque pearls.
During the cultivation of saltwater pearls, a very small number of mother-of-pearl oysters will reject the pearl nucleus, expelling it from the oyster and leaving only the nacreous material. Through this process, a rare type of pearl without a nucleus is created.
Lacking a nucleus for support, Keshi pearls are mostly small, irregularly shaped dots, sometimes even forming sheet-like shapes! However, because these pearls are entirely composed of nacreous layers, they are extremely hard and have a long-lasting luster. Keshi pearls are relatively rare and therefore much more expensive than baroque pearls of the same size!
Flaw
The fewer the flaws, the higher the price.
Let's talk about pearl flaws. Everyone's heard the saying, "No story is complete without flaws, and no pearl is without imperfections." Due to its unique formation process, perfectly flawless pearls are almost nonexistent.
However, pearl flaws are generally not noticeable at social distances, so choose the least flawless one within your budget!
Finally, I want to emphasize this: These criteria for judging pearls are not isolated. When selecting pearls, you must consider their luster, placement, shape, and flaws to make a comprehensive judgment.
What colors are available? How do I choose?
Pearls can be broadly categorized into three colour series: white, black, and gold.
However, most pearls have overtones: some white pearls appear pink or purple; and black pearls can have variations like "peacock green" or "platinum gray," making the actual colour range quite rich!
For pearl beginners looking for a classic, versatile colour, white is undoubtedly the way to go!
Especially the pearl and gold design, which perfectly combines the elegance and sophistication of pearls with a trendy design. Not only is it suitable for various occasions, but it's also relatively affordable. Since pearls have become increasingly popular in recent years, strands of pearl necklaces have also become a hot trend!
Previously, people thought pearls were only for special occasions, but now more and more fashionable girls are pairing strands of pearl necklaces with everyday T-shirts or casual wear. I highly recommend this style—it's youthful, relaxed, effortless, and looks elegant and sophisticated! If you're looking for a piece of jewelry for work, I recommend a pair of simple and elegant single white pearl earrings!
They're subtle and understated, adding a touch of sophistication, and are versatile and easy to wear! If you're looking for something more unique and individualistic, consider black pearls!
Black typically gives off a cool vibe, and when paired with elegant pearls, it creates a striking and sophisticated look, yet with a distinctive "rebellious princess" style. Especially a string of black pearls—wearing them instantly transforms you into a regal black swan!
Not only are they suitable for women, but stylish men looking to get their hands on pearls can also start with black pearls! They exude a cool and edgy vibe with any outfit!
Now let's talk about luxurious and opulent, but also relatively niche, golden pearls. Compared to the other two colors, these pearls are more selective in terms of skin tone and clothing style, requiring a certain presence and experience to pull off. If you're interested, be sure to try them on in person before making a purchase!