How Much Are Pearl Earrings?
It is nice to own a pearl earring or two for the upcoming family celebration or to gift it to your wife for your anniversary. But do you know how much it will cost you? Do you know all the cost factors of pearl earrings? Surely, you have these doubts, and you need answers.
Pearls are a valuable purchase, and they can cost anywhere from $150 to a couple $10,000. However, the price may not match the quality you need. In fact, you might just not be aware of where to look when you are buying a pair of earrings.
And that is why we are here to tell you what affects the price with some tips that can help you buy great earrings.
Cost Factors of Pearl Earrings
Before you know about the types of pearls or pearl earring styles, you need to read about the cost factors. This will help you stay away from any scams or fraud.
Shape
Ideally, you will find a round, fine pearl, the most desirable one. However, the round pearl is the most expensive shape, and it is a rare find, too. Precise cultivation techniques can help you get a perfectly round pearl earring, but that can escalate the cost by a huge margin.
That is why there is an option to choose other shapes, for example, tear-drop-shaped pearls. You can also get an oval-shaped pearl earring, and the other valuable shape is a circle baroque pearl. There is also something totally asymmetrical, i.e., a free-form baroque pearl earring.
Size
The next factor is the shape of the pearl earring. Bigger pearls are more valuable than smaller ones because they are rare and need more time to cultivate. You can measure the size of a pearl in millimeters. So, if you want to buy a cheaper pearl, you may go for any shape other than a round pearl.
There are tiny pearls of 1mm in size, and they can go up to 7.5mm. Anything above this size will cost you huge chunks of money. In simpler words, with each millimeter above the highest range, you will have to pay more money than you want to.
Color
You can find pearls in many colors, for example, natural tones or cool tones. Pearls are available in yellow to pink shades and violet to green as well. Simply said, they are made in all colors dark and light.
Now, pearls can basically have three parts, i.e., a body color, an overtone, and an orient. Almost every pearl has a body color, but only a few of them have overtones, orients, or both. Moreover, a pearl’s color is influenced by the mollusk’s shell, nacre pigments, and other environmental conditions.
Surface
Everybody wants a flawless and perfectly smooth set of beautiful earrings. However, there are chances that your pearls might have some flaws like scratches, bridges, etc. So, a pearl with flaws and dents has its price set depending on the severity of the flaws it has.
A pearl with fewer blemishes or imperfections can be more valuable. However, it would be best if you remembered that this can affect the durability of any pearl earring and depress its original value.
Luster
A pearl earring needs to be lustrous. This makes the pearl look more glamorous and shiny. Basically, luster refers to the reflective quality of a pearl’s surface.
It is graded in three ways. Firstly, on the basis of how sharp and highly reflective the pearl is. Secondly, if the reflection is soft and blurry. Lastly, if the reflection is dull and minimally reflective.
Nacre
Nacre is a substance that forms the layers of a pearl. Basically, the thicker nacre means there is more durability and longevity. This makes the pearl keep away from any wear and tear. The quality of nacre will affect the price of these earrings.
Combination of Qualities
So, the answer to your question about the cost of earrings lies behind a proper combination of all the factors we have talked about already. When you have a proper mix of color, luster, size, flawlessness, symmetry, etc, you can have the best earrings, and the cost depends on the quality of each factor.
Types of Pearls
The cost of earrings also depends on the type of pearl you choose for your earrings. Let’s find out what you can choose from.
Japanese Akoya Pearls
First, you have Japanese Akoya pearls. They are the most popular ones around the world because of the perfect round shape they have. These pearls are gifted with a good reflective luster. You can have the perfect earrings in sizes 6 to 9mm, ranging from $150 to $1200.
South Sea Pearls
From the looks of it, these are the most valuable pearl earrings, also known as the “Queen of cultured pearls.” Many places like Australia, Indonesia, Myanmar, etc, supply these pearls for jewelry. You can have South Sea pearl earrings in sizes 8 to 16mm, ranging from $200 to $5000.
Tahitian Pearls
Next, you have Tahitian pearl earrings, also called black Tahitian pearls. They are from the French Polynesian islands. These pearls are famous because of their large sizes and variety of colors. They even come in dark purple. The basic size is 8 to 14mm, costing from $250 to $3000.
Freshwater Pearls
These are the cheapest Freshwater earrings and are almost identical to Akoya pearls. They are from China and can be found in many colors. You can have them in Black, pink, white, peach, etc. The sizes are 6 to 10mm, worth $55 to $800 only.
Pearl Earrings Styles
Now that you know all about pearls and their types, let’s make some earrings out of them. There are different styles, like:
•Pearl stud earrings - These earrings are classic and versatile. You can wear them every day.
•Pearl hoop earrings - A combination of pearls with hoops can give you a modern look.
•Pearl drop earrings - If you want a more elegant touch, then you should go for pearl drop earrings.
•Pearl dangle earrings - Longer earrings with pearls dangle gracefully and effortlessly.
You can also include other gemstones along with the pearls, but remember that this will increase the price of your earring set.
Pearl Earrings Buying Tips
Before you jump straight to a jewelry shop and buy those big heavy pearls, here are some tips that can help you.
•Always choose a seller who is transparent and answers your questions.
•Make sure the seller is experienced and knowledgeable about pearls.
•Select similar pearls for earrings and make sure they match perfectly with each other.
•Choose good metals for your earrings, for example, gold, silver, platinum, etc.
•Pick some unique designs that enhance your personality.
Conclusion
Next time you are in the market buying yourself some beautiful earrings, remember these tips. Begin by choosing your budget and then go for the best kind of pearl that your heart wants. You can always ask your jeweler whatever questions you have.
FAQs
How can you tell if pearl earrings are real?
Real pearls have a shiny surface with natural blemishes, and they are slightly gritty as well.
Why are some pearl earrings so expensive?
They are expensive because natural pearls are rare to find.
How long do pearl earrings last?
Pearl earrings can last for many years, and if you are a keeper, you can make them last for a lifetime.
Is it OK to shower with pearl earrings?
No, you must always remove them before showering because hot water, soap, etc., can damage them.
Do pearl earrings break easily?
Pearls are delicate and can be damaged easily if not taken care of.
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