Pearl earrings are affordable and elegant at the same time. No matter what occasion or event you will be wearing them for, they will give class and luxury to the outfit and the overall appearance of the wearer.
Editor's Note: These same tips can be applied when purchasing fine diamond rings.
The Type of Pearl
Generally, there are four kinds of cultured pearls that you can find in stores which are:
• Tahitian – their colour is what allows one to distinguish them. They have black to grey-green colour. Their sizes range from 11 mm to 13 mm and are predominantly round in shape. They have rich and high lustre and are probably the most costly among all cultured pearls.
• Freshwater – this kind of pearl when used in jewellery like pearl earrings are affordable. They are a favourite of many jewellery lovers because of their price and of course their appearance. They have asymmetrical shape and are a tinier than Tahitian pearls. The largest is only 7 mm.
• South Sea – these are large but are still pretty popular as pearl earrings. They can be fared in Australia, Philippines and Indonesia. They are either black or white with their price varying according to their lustre.
• Akoya – these are seawater pearls which can be farmed in Japan and China. Their shapes are round and symmetrical. They have higher lustre when compared with freshwater pearls. They are also not too expensive and come with lighter colours of white, pink and cream.
Pearl Earrings Selection
When shopping for pearl earrings, the first things that we look at are the pearls themselves. This is a wise move since you have to examine the lustre as well as the nacre thickness. These two measure the quality of the pearl earrings.
Do not forget to feel the surface texture of the pearls in the earrings. Choose a pair that does not have visible abrasions. Those that have minimal flaws are not too distracting and sometimes cannot be perceived by the wearer or the buyer.
The colour and the shape of the pearl earrings are also to be observed. Though colour is not a factor in determining whether or not the earrings are of high quality, many want beautiful pearls of attractive colours. The shape though can affect the price of the pearl earrings. Perfectly round ones are more expensive than others.
Pearl earrings are classic accessories. Knowing the style that is appropriate for you will make it easier for you to search for the best earrings that you can wear.
Guest Post by: Kim Tyrone
