How to buy pearl jewellery?

Since ancient times, pearls have been the favourite gemstone for jewellery and collections. Its creamy colours and shiny surface have captivated countless royals, nobility and the rich. The most common colours of pearls include white and cream, black, gray, silver and even brown.

Timeless pair of pearl earrings

Here are some qualities to consider when you are shopping for pearl jewellery:

1.Size - Larger pearls are usually more valuable than smaller pearls, if all else are equal.

2.Shape - Natural round pearls are the most valuable with their perfect symmetry. However, cultured pearls with drop, button or oval shapes could also be sought after by jewellery collectors.

3.Colour - Both natural and cultured pearls exhibit a diverse spectrum of colours. Warm hues, such as yellow, orange, and pink, coexist with cooler tones like blue, green, and violet. Pearls also vary in tone, ranging from light to dark.

4.Luster - A pearl's luster is the measure of how "shiny" it appears to be. Luster can be graded as Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor.

5.Surface quality - Pearls with smooth surface are generally more valuable, while those with abrasions, scratches or flattened areas cost less.

6.Matching - If you are purchasing a pearl necklace, or a set of pearl jewellery, do ensure that the pearls match in appearance. This means that they should have similar colour, shapes, luster and surface quality.

Depending on the quality of pearl, some pearl jewellery can cost a few hundred dollars, while the best pearls can fetch tens of thousands of dollars. Remember the 6 points above - if you see pearls with matching qualities, most likely the jewellery will cost more. If you are going for high-end pearls, do request for a gem report to certify that the pearl is either natural or cultured, and not synthetic man-made.

Natural pearl necklace