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Pearl jewelry sells itself well to fine jewelry lovers and fashion jewelry fans. As a pearl jewelry manufacturer specializing in using freshwater pearls, Pideajewelry’s custom pearl jewelry & sets help boost your sales and brand recognition.

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8 Factors Affecting Freshwater Pearl Jewelry Price

01 Luster

Luster is probably the most important value factor in judging freshwater pearl quality.

The more lustrous the pearl, the brighter and clearer the reflection, and the better the quality.

GIA divides the luster of pearls into 5 categories, ranging from “excellent” to “poor”. Factors such as nacre quality, rate of nacre deposition, type of mollusk, and its health can all affect a pearl’s luster.

02 Types Of Pearls

Pearl type plays a vital role in determining jewellery prices. Freshwater pearls are categorized into different types by how they are cultured/sourced.

Apart from naturally cultured and wild freshwater pearls, there are also pearls manufactured by compressing power into pearl beads, which cost much less when made into pearl jewelry compared to cultured pearls.

03 Size

The pearl’s size is an obvious factor that drives the pearl jewelry’s value.

The size of round and near-round pearls is indicated by their diameter in millimeters, other shapes are measured according to their length/depth and diameter/width.

The size of a pearl depends on its type, rarity, and growth period. All other factors of value being equal, the larger the pearl, the greater its value.

Freshwater Pearl Size – 4 to 14mm

04 Shape

Round pearls are the most valuable, as oysters rarely produce a (nearly) perfect round shape and thus command a higher price than other-shaped pearls.

GIA divides pearls into seven basic shapes: round, near-round, button, drop, oval, semi-baroque, and baroque.

Round and near-round are more common in saltwater pearls than in freshwater pearls, thanks to a nucleus implanted in the oyster. Therefore, between Akoya pearls and freshwater pearls, all of the same quality, freshwater pearls can cost more than saltwater pearls.

05 Color

Freshwater pearls with natural colors are usually more valuable than dyed ones.

Natural freshwater pearls come in a stunning array of colors. From white, cream, pink, yellow, green, and blue to black with many shades in between. Additionally, pearls often come in delicate shades such as greens, blues, and pinks.

Most freshwater pearls are white and lavender.

06 Surface

Surface quality affects the durability and luster of pearls.

All being equal, pearls with fewer blemishes are more valuable. Most pearls have imperfections such as bumps, pits, spots, and wrinkles. Minor irregularities are acceptable.

GIA grades the surface quality of pearls as clean, lightly spotted, moderately spotted, or heavily spotted. Naturally flawless pearls are hard to find.

07 Nacre Quality

Nacre is a natural substance produced by mollusks to form pearls. The pearl jewelry by Pearl comes from these nacres carefully cultured by our team.

The thicker the nacre, the more valuable the pearl. The quality of the nacre affects the durability and luster of the pearl and indicates how long the pearl has been cultivated.

GIA defines 3 categories. They are acceptable, nucleated, and chalky in appearance. Pearls with a thin nacre usually have a low luster and can appear chalky in color. Natural pearls and most freshwater cultured pearls do not contain pits; they are made almost entirely of nacre. This distinction makes freshwater pearls more durable than saltwater pearls.

08 Jewelry Metal And Craftsmanship

Apart form the pearl itselfe, the parts of jewellery, such as clasps and chains, can impact the price of pearl jewellery in several ways. Jewelry metals like brass, silver, stainless steel, and gold play important roles in the overall quality, durability, and aesthetics of the piece.

The craftsmanship involved in assembling the various components of the jewellery can impact the price. Attention to detail, precision in stringing pearls, and secure attachment of clasps and findings all contribute to the overall quality of the piece.

Freshwater Pearl Shape Guide

Round Pearl

Shape: Perfectly round

Considered the most valuable and desired shape
Symmetrically spherical in appearance
High luster, smooth surface, and excellent quality

Baroque Pearl

Shape: Irregular, asymmetrical

Non-symmetrical shape with unique, artistic appeal
Can have various freeform shapes and contours
Ideal for creating distinctive and statement jewelry

Drop Pearl

Shape: Tear or droplet shape

Resembles a small water droplet or tear shape
Elegant and elongated appearance
Often used as a focal point in earrings or pendants

Button Pearl

Shape: Flat or slightly rounded

Flat on one side and slightly domed on the other
Versatile shape, suitable for various jewelry designs
Can be used as accents or in clusters

Semi-Baroque Pearl

Shape: Slightly irregular

Moderately irregular shape with some symmetry
Not perfectly round, but not fully baroque either
Offers uniqueness while still maintaining elegance

Circled/Ringed Pearl

Shape: Circles or rings around it

Exhibits rings or grooves around the pearl’s surface
Adds texture and visual interest to the pearl
Creates a fascinating and distinctive appearance

Oval/Egg-Shaped Pearl

Shape: Elongated, oval or egg-shaped

Flattened oval or egg-shaped appearance

8 Differences Between Cultured Pearls Vs Natural Pearls

01 Formation

Cultured pearls are cultivated through human intervention, and are naturally grown too. Natural pearls are formed spontaneously within oysters or mollusks in their natural habitat.

02 Origin

Cultured pearls are created through the insertion of a nucleus into an oyster or mollusk, while natural pearls form without human intervention.

03 Affordability

Compared to natural pearls, which are rare and highly priced, cultured pearls are generally more affordable. The availability and controlled cultivation process make them a more accessible option for those seeking the elegance and beauty of pearls.

04 Customization

The cultivation process of cultured pearls allows for greater control over the final product. By selecting the shape, size, and colour of the nucleus, pearl farmers can create pearls that meet specific market demands or cater to individual preferences.

05 Size And Shape

Cultured pearls offer a higher level of consistency in terms of size, shape, and quality compared to natural pearls, which can vary greatly in these aspects.

06 Consistency

Cultured pearls offer a higher level of consistency in terms of size, shape, and quality compared to natural pearls, which can vary greatly in these aspects.

07 Sustainability

Cultured pearl cultivation can be more environmentally sustainable compared to traditional pearl fishing, which may have detrimental effects on natural oyster populations and ecosystems. Pearl farms can operate in a controlled and sustainable manner, reducing the impact on marine environments.

08 Market Availability

Cultured pearls are more readily available in the market due to controlled cultivation techniques, while natural pearls are limited in supply and often found in antique or specialty markets.

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