Choosing the right pearl can be particularly challenging – even to those with an eye for beauty. Pearls are elegant and stylish and made up into jewellery pieces that can complement almost any outfit.

With the overwhelming choices out there, do you know how to choose and buy the right pearls? If you’re looking at pearls as your next investment, this post will help you choose the right type of pearl.

Step 1: Know the Different Types of Pearls

1. Akoya Pearls

Akoya pearls are produced from Japan’s Akoya oysters. These are the most popular among all the pearl types. They measure around 3-10mm and come in white, cream, blue, pink, silver, and light green.

Akoya Pearls are perfectly round. If excellent lustre matters to you, then select this type of pearl.

2. South Sea Pearls

South Sea Pearls come from the waters around Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. They are recognised for their lustre and size.

Their size starts at 8mm, and they usually have a round, oval, or teardrop shape. They exhibit the most beautiful nacre.
They grow in the oyster Pinctada Maxima in a stunning range of colours from white, cream, silver, yellowish-orange, rose, green, and blue.

3. Tahitian Pearls

Tahitian pearls come from the islands of French Polynesia. Tahitian Pearls are elegant and luxurious with a touch of being exotic. You will be enthralled with the available colours  – from a velvety midnight black, slate grey, peacock green, deep aubergine, and a striking yellow.

A white pearl is a classic choice, also adding a vividly coloured Tahitian Pearl to your collection can be a wonderful addition.

4. Keshi Pearls

Keshi are small non-nucleated pearls, typically formed as a by-product of pearl cultivation. They often have a beautiful lustre and interesting shape.

5. Freshwater Pearls

Freshwater cultured pearls come from lakes in China and the USA. They are plentiful and are a cheaper option among the other types of pearls. Freshwater pearl colours include overtones of rose, blue and green.

Step 2: Choose the Perfect Pearl Size

Choose the pearl size that is right for you. The most famous pearl sizes range from 7.0 to 9.5 mm, but the larger the pearl, the more valuable it is. Graduated pearls are always elegant on the body.

Baroque pearls from the South Sea are found in interesting shapes and shades and make up less than 5% of the pearl harvest. They can be a delight to design with, for something one of a kind.

Step 3: Set Your Budget

Each pearl type has its pricing tiers, so expect the price to increase as the millimetre size increases. However, in general, you should expect a 30% increase in the pearl cost for every increase in millimetre size.

The pearls' value is influenced by the following factors: lustre, surface quality, the symmetry of shape, colour, size, and origin.

If you want to know more about pearls, feel free to contact and visit Tallulah.
We can arrange an appointment at our Melbourne CBD studio at L1/28 Block Place, Melbourne, Australia. You can reach us through email at rebecca@tallulah.net.au or don’t hesitate to call us at 0417 534927. Rebecca is a qualified (F.G.A.A) gemmologist, valuer and diamond grader.