To say that shopping for pearls is complex is an understatement.
Someone buying these gemstones for the first time may be shocked to find many types of pearls out there!
Yes, that's right. Beyond white pearls exists a world of many other colors, shapes, and sizes most have never seen or heard about.
Sorry if this is starting to feel intimidating. If so, don't worry. We are here to help.
If you’re planning to purchase some precious pearls for the first time, this one’s for you. This blog will focus on where to start when buying pearls!
Types of Pearls
Since there are so many different types of pearls in the market, an ideal place to start would be to choose which one you want to buy.
Need to learn about the types? Here is an overview to help you:
Pearls are typically categorized into two types: Freshwater pearls and Saltwater pearls.
As their names suggest, they live in different waters. But that’s not all! Their key differences are something you should be familiar with when going pearl shopping.
Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater pearls are smaller in size, making them ideal for daily wear. One of the best things about Freshwater pearls is that they come in many colors, including pink, peach, lavender, and many more.
Freshwater pearls are ideal if you're:
- Not sure which pearls to buy
- On a budget
- Like pastel colors
- Don’t mind shapes that aren’t round
- Planning to wear it every day
Freshwater pearls should be your first choice if you check most of these boxes. If you want something more unique and/or classy different, keep reading!
Saltwater Pearls
On the other hand, saltwater pearls come in bigger sizes and are more durable and longer-lasting than Freshwater pearls. Freshwater pearls are more affordable than saltwater ones, which tend to be expensive.
It doesn’t stop there! There are different types of saltwater pearls available as well.
1. Akoya Pearls
These are the most popular pearl type and the ones you might be most familiar with!
Akoya pearls are the classic white pearls we see everywhere. They’re smaller in size but have earned their popularity due to the ‘mirror-like’ shine, also known as luster.
Definitely a pricier option than Freshwater pearls, these pearls are high in value due to their round shape. Contrary to popular belief, perfectly round pearls are actually rare!
Akoya might be the perfect choice for you if you’re looking for pearls that are:
- Long-lasting
- Perfectly white and round
- Have a high ‘luster
- Exude subtlety and elegance
Something to note is Akoya pearls are the cheapest saltwater pearls on the market. As we go up the list, the prices get higher.
2. South Sea & Tahitian Pearls
The rarest of all are South Sea pearls and Tahitian pearls!
They are some of the most valued pearls of all time because they are hard to come by, and as you know, the rarer it is, the more expensive it is.
It can take up to 6 years to form one of these pearls! How cool, right? They are some of the biggest pearls out there, as well.
Golden South Sea pearls have a stunning golden color that makes them one of the most sought-after pearls in the world.
Tahitian pearls come in deep, exotic colors like black and dark blue that are 100% natural! These pearls are used in statement jewelry pieces because of their bold colors
You should go for South Sea or Tahitian Pearls if:
- Budget isn’t an issue
- You are a collector of exotic items
- You’re looking for statement pearl jewelry
Just a word of caution: when buying expensive pearl jewelry, make sure you buy from a trusted vendor such as DezLin. We have been in business since 2016 and are one of the largest wholesalers in the nation for the live reveal industry.
The Bottom Line
Congrats, you’re one step closer to buying your first pearls now that you have a guide you can refer to and follow!
We also have a detailed guide called The Ultimate Guide to Buying Pearl Jewelry on our website if you want more information.
As far as finding a trusted vendor goes, why not give DezLin a chance?
We are a family and US veteran-owned business located in Lodi, California, and we ship same-day globally. Check out our vast pearl collection and shop your favorites!