Throughout history pearls have been worn by the rich and glamorous, and given to loved ones as extravagant gifts. Traditionally worn by brides, for thousands of years they have been a symbol of love, purity and perfection. Nowadays pearl jewellery is available to more people than ever before, and you no longer need to be royalty to afford it. Pearls of all shapes, sizes and colours are grown on farms and with so many varieties to choose from any bride-to-be can find the perfect pearls to suit her wedding gown. In fact, there are so many different types of pearl that it can be difficult to know which to choose, so here are a few pointers of what to look out for:

Type of pearl – There are two types of pearl, saltwater and freshwater. Saltwater pearls are found in oysters in the sea, and are usually larger, rounder and clearer than the freshwater variety. They are often more expensive for this reason. Freshwater pearls are farmed in lakes and rivers, usually smaller and often less regular in shape, though they come in a large range of different colours.

Size – When it comes to pearls, size really does make a huge difference. The larger the pearl, the more it will cost. Saltwater pearls are usually the bigger variety, and are therefore more highly sought after.

Nacre – Pearls take years to develop inside an oyster shell. When a foreign object is introduced into the shell the oyster produces nacre, which builds up in layers forming the pearl. The thicker the nacre coating, the longer the pearl will last as jewellery. Some cultured saltwater pearls are made with a ‘beaded’ large nucleus which speeds up the process and ensure a round shape. Most farmed freshwater pearls and all natural pearls are composed entirely of nacre, so their shape is less likely to be perfectly round.

Luster – No pearl is as smooth and shiny as a mirror but they do have a sort of reflective quality to them, called the lustre. Pearls with this shimmery effect on the surface are the most desired.

Colour – The natural colours of pearls are various shades of white, pink and lilac although nowadays cultured pearls are often dyed so they are available in the colour of your choice. A pearl necklace made of matching naturally-coloured pearls will cost more than dyed ones, as it can take a long time to collect enough matching pearls for a whole string.

Shape – When we think of pearls, we normally imagine them to be perfectly round and smooth. In reality this is rare, and perfectly round pearls are hugely sought after and so can be very expensive. Small cultured pearls tend to be more rounded and some of the larger ones have been formed around a bead to help the shape develop. Irregularly shaped pearls are also used to make unique jewellery and pendants.

Matching – it can be difficult to find enough pearls of the same size, shape and colour to make a whole necklace, so a string of regular naturally coloured pearls is more desirable and will be more expensive.

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