Pearl Encyclopedia - SelecTraders

Pearl Necklace - Selectraders

A Pearl Necklace is the "classic" piece of Pearl Jewellery. Akoya Pearls are the most traditional type of pearl used in pearl necklaces, but Freshwater Pearls, Tahitian Pearls and large South Sea Pearls are also used often to stunning effect.

cream pearl necklace


Akoyas exhibit the traditional white, silver or cream colours, while Tahitians and South Sea pearls yield necklaces of darker tones. Freshwater pearls can be either white or dark and are generally more affordable than the saltwater options.

dark pearl necklace

Pearl Necklaces come in a wide variety of styles:

·Bib: Consists of several strands of pearls of varying lengths.

·Collar or Dog Collar: Consists of multiple strands of pearls worn high on the neck. Very popular during the Victorian era, making a bit of a comeback now, 12-13 inches long.

·Choker: Similar to a collar, but is worn slightly lower on the neck, 14-16 inches long.

·Princess: Essentially the "classic" length for a pearl necklace, lying slightly below the neck. A versatile style, which can be worn with many different styles of neckline, 17-19 inches long.

·Matinee: Traditionally worn for semi-formal occasions, works well with suits and dresses, 20-24 inches long.

·Opera: Generally worn at formal occasions with evening dresses. The pearls should fall below the bust line. To be worn during the day in less-formal settings the strand can be doubled over, 30-36 inches long.

·Rope: This is the longest of all pearl necklace styles. It can also be doubled as well as knotted. Some rope necklaces have multiple clasps, which allow it to be broken down into shorter strands, over 36 inches long.

The pearls used in a pearl necklace (Perlenkette) can all be of the same size or they can be graduated with a larger pearl in the centre and successively smaller pearls running back on each side to the clasp. Whichever style is chosen good matching of the pearls is important, both for aesthetic reasons and for the highest value.

rose pearl necklace

The size of the pearls in the necklace, while ultimately a matter of personal taste, is also a subject of tradition. Traditionally certain pearl sizes are considered appropriate for women of various ages and the size of the pearls is also considered an indicator of the wearer's wealth and social status.

Smaller pearls (5.5-6.5 millimetres) are generally appropriate for teenage girls and younger women -- say up to the mid-20s. Pearls 6.5-8.0 millimetres are traditionally worn by women in the range of the mid-20s to mid-30s. They show a woman who, in a sense, has "come of age," but the pearls still remain modest and not too showy.

Pearls 8.0-9.0 millimetres in size definitely exhibit an aura of status, class and success.They are traditionally worn by women in their mid-30s to mid-40s. These pearls tend to be more expensive (particularly the larger end of this scale -- 8.5-9.0 millimetres) and so are associated with financial success.

Pearls 9.0-10.0 millimetres are both, rare and expensive. They are generally worn by wealthy women of more mature years.

white pearl necklace