How to Choose a Pearl
Necklace for Your Wedding Day
The
elegant beauty of a strand of pearls has fascinated brides for
centuries. People believe that wearing pearls on their wedding
day will bring bliss to their marriage.
Pearls are classic wedding jewelry. How do you choose that
perfect pearl necklace?
Here are some tips:
There are four types of pearls: Akoya, Tahitian, South Sea, and
freshwater. Akoya, Tahitian and South Sea pearls grow in oceans.
They are more valuable than freshwater pearls for their rarity
and high luster.
Akoya pearls are the most popular. These pearls are valued for
their rich color, mirror-like finish, and appealing roundness.
As with any other gemstones, the value of pearls is determined
by their quality. A pearl’s quality can be A, AA, AA+, AAA,
AAA+. The last two, AAA and AAA+ pearls, have the best quality
and they are most valuable. For pearls of the same size, an ‘A’
quality pearl necklace costs only a small fraction of AAA
quality pearl necklace.
The quality and value of pearls are based upon six criteria:
luster, nacre, surface, color, shape, size and matching. The
educated buyer uses his or her preferences to decide which
criteria are most important.
Nacre: Most buyers of pearl jewelry pay most attention to
the pearls\' nacre thickness. Nacre is the coating that a pearl
oyster produces to cover the pearl’s nucleus; it is the key to
how long pearls last. You should look for pearls with nacre
thickness over 0.4mm.
Luster and Surface: Luster is the amount of light
reflected from the pearl\'s surface. A strand of pearls with
high luster, mirror finish and clean surfaces is most desirable
and valuable.
Color: It is a personal choice. Consider buying a pearl
necklace whose color will complement your clothing and your skin
tone.
Size: The price of pearls that are larger than 7mm varies
greatly. People usually buy the largest pearls they can afford.
Shape: Round pearls are most desirable and valuable.
Matching: For a pearl necklace or bracelet, matching
refers to the ways in which all of the pearls are similar. It is
difficult to find enough identical pearls to make a well-matched
pearl necklace; therefore such a necklace commands a top price.
After you have decided the type, color, size and quality of
pearls that you want, think about your budget. Take your time to
shop around and find that perfect pearl necklace for your
wedding day!
About
the author:
Copyright:
© 2004 by Yan Berry
Mrs. Berry is a pearl expert. She is also the founder of
www.premiumpearl.com,
an online provider of high quality pearl jewelry.
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