Cultured Pearl Necklace - Ocean Pearls!

The most rarest of all of the ocean pearls is the South Sea version. This beautiful jewel can measure anywhere between 10 - 20mm in diameter. These gorgeous White and Golden South Sea pearls used in cultured pearl necklaces are found in the warm waters of North Australia. The beauty and allure come from their beautiful satin luster and thick nacre, which accumulates layer by layer for over 3 years. They are the “Queen” of today’s cultured pearls, casting a deep satiny glow from within. The necklace pieces made out of this pearl are well known for their magnificent quality and incredibly affordable prices.

South Sea pearls are characterized by their large size and silver color. Sizes up to 14 mm in diameter are not uncommon. Australia is one of the most important sources of the premium pearls used in cultured pearl necklaces. The value of the in jewelry is determined by a combination of the luster, color, size, lack of surface flaw and symmetry that are appropriate for the type of pearl under consideration. Among those attributes, luster is the most important differentiator of pearl quality according to jewelers. All factors being equal, however, the larger the pearl the more valuable it is. Large, perfectly round pearls are rare and highly valued. Teardrop-shaped pearls are often used in pendants. Irregular shaped pearl necklaces are also used often.

Pearls come in eight basic shapes: round, semi-round, button, drop, pear, oval, baroque, and ringed. Perfectly round pearls are the rarest and most expensive.

Where To Buy?

Very few strands with very high ratings in all the above value factors are regularly available on the fine jewelry market. As a result, be ready to research and shop around. Online stores are more preferred for cultured pearl necklaces as they tend to have less overhead expenses passed on to you, the customer. This often results in lower prices of the necklace. However, it is very helpful to see and touch real strands as well.

Here are a few factors to look for when choosing where to buy your pearl necklace. They are —

A. Friendly and knowledgeable staff
B. Good and varied selection of pearls
C. Excellent return policy - Minimum of 30 days for a full refund

Value factors of South sea pearls

When you have decided to buy a South Sea pearl necklace, there are certain value factors that you must see to be sure about the quality of the pearl. A value of a pearl necklace is dependent on both visible factors of the specific pearl as well as the entire strand. These factors are:
1. Luster
2. Shape or Roundness
3. Surface Cleanliness
4. Matching
5. Color
6. Size

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