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Choosing a pearl necklace begins with understanding how a pearl is formed. This precious ’stone’ is born from the formation of nacre within an oyster. With the class and elegance that a pearl necklace brings, there is little wonder why this piece of accessory is highly sought-after by women the world over. There are different types and grades of pearls: from the rare and naturally formed pearls to the popular cultivated pearls and finally, the cheaper variation – synthetic pearls. It is often difficult to tell the difference between natural and cultured pearls unless you have a trained eye. Spherical, symmetrical and baroque are three main shapes of pearls. Spherical pearls are round in shape and are the most popular of choice. Symmetrical pearls tend to be oval, button or teardrop shaped while baroque pearls are irregularly shaped and can come in the form resembling sticks or even crosses. A key to learning how to buy a pearl necklace comes in choosing one whose length is flattering to your individual body type – whether you have a long neck, short neck or wide neck, how old you are and your overall physical make-up. As a general guideline, long necklaces like the rope and the opera will elongate a short neck while short necklaces like the collar and choker varieties help flatter longer necks. When choosing a pearl necklace, it is critical to select a length that flatters your age, neck shape and length, and physique. Shorter necklaces tend to suit long necks while long necklaces help to elongate the neck (for people with short necks). The collar-type necklace is the shortest at 10 to 13 inches long while the longest – rope – can be more than 37 inches in length. If you’re looking for a necklace to suit almost anyone, then one between 18 and 24 inches long will do. Collar necklaces are the shortest to be found and can easily be used for both evening and casual wear. Typically worn high and above the base of the neck while chokers are worn around the base of the neck and range from 16 to 18 inches in length. One of the most popular lengths for a pearl necklace is the princess, which comes in 17 to 20 inches lengths and can be worn with almost any type of neckline. If you’re choosing a pearl necklace to wear with corporate or business outfits, or for semi-formal events, then the matinee length is ideal. The rule-of-thumb goes that people with short necks should wear necklaces that sit at least 2 inches below the collarbone while people with longer necks should wear necklaces that sit at the base of the neck.

Tags: baroque pearls, class and elegance, cultured pearls, neck shape

For years, pearls have been prized for their beauty; pearls have been ornaments to royalty and criminals alike. Regarded with great value in China, Greece, Europe and the Americas, these jewels have always been a popular choice as highly valued gems. With their variety of designs, we’ll show you how to choose the right kind of pearl earrings for the right occasion. While naturally formed pearls come in all forms of irregular shapes and often cannot be used for jewelry, cultured pearls can be grown in a variety of shapes – spherical, oval, teardrop and baroque. Learning how to choose the right pearl earrings for the right occasion will involve finding a design or combining various shapes of pearls that suit your face shape. If you’re interested in choosing the right pearl earrings for the right occasion, it pays to familiarize yourself with how pearls are valued, whether they are pearl drop earrings or otherwise. Pearls are measured based on their diameter with larger pearls being more highly valued. Several factors determine the value of a pearl – color, overtone, size, shape, luster and surface quality. The color of a pearl can range from white, cream, silver, blue, pink, gold and black. Choose a color to suit your skin tone and the occasions you may be wearing your pearl drop earrings to. Luster refers to the reflective quality of a pearl and the more luster a pearl has the more valuable it is. Surface quality is also an important consideration; the less imperfections like bumps there are on a pearl, the more highly prized it is. Remember that pearls are delicate because of the material they are made from. They tend to be softer than other jewels and therefore more prone to cracks and scratches. Try cleaning your pearls with a soft, damp cloth and you can also wash them on occasion with some water and soap. To further protect your pearl drop earrings, wear them after you’ve worn your makeup, perfume or even moisturizer. Accessories like pearl earrings are designed to draw attention to your face. Carefully choosing the right pearl earrings for the right occasion is important if you want to flatter your face and enhance your features.

Tags: cream silver, cultured pearls, face shape, irregular shapes, pearl drop earrings, pearl earrings, reflective quality