Pearl Jewelry Buying Guide:
All About Pearls

For thousands of years, pearls have been a classic favorite; coveted for their natural beauty, rarity, luster and shine. To find one is invaluable. Out of 10,000 oysters, there may only be one treasure among all treasures... a single, natural pearl.

Pearls today, whether designed in a necklace, bracelet, earrings, ring or brooch, are commonly referred to as cultured pearls. Pearl jewelry has become a favorite due to its classic design and affordable appeal.

A cultivated pearl is created by intentionally placing a tiny Mother-of-Pearl bead inside an oyster. The oyster gradually coats the bead in layers of a pearlescent, organic substance called nacre, which builds-up to eventually create a lustrous pearl.

Ross-Simons carries on the timeless tradition of bringing to you luxurious and distinguished pearl jewelry with Cultured Freshwater, Akoya, South Sea and Tahitian pearls. Regardless of the occasion or your preference, you'll enjoy the highest of quality and selection at great prices.

Pearl Sizes

Whether you prefer a dainty pearl earring or a bigger-the-better pearl bracelet, the size of a pearl depends on the type you select. Our pearl chart can help you in shopping for and understanding the different types of pearls and their sizes from the largest and most exotic Tahitian pearl to multi-sized and multicolored, cultured freshwater pearls.

When shopping Ross-Simons' extensive pearl collection, remember that a pearl is measured by its diameter in millimeters. Pearl sizes can range from 1 millimeter or less to as large as 20 millimeters for an incredible Tahitian pearl.

Pearl Characteristics

Pearl Luster: Pearls produce a deeply intense shine, known as luster, when light is reflected off the many layers of nacre or tiny organic crystals.

Pearl Nacre: When shopping for a pearl, the larger the pearl, the more nacre it has and the greater the luster. The amount of luster a pearl has is as visible as the differences in pearl sizes.

Pearl Color: A pearl's color is called its body color. Since pearls are produced in living creatures, their colors typically vary among white, cream, yellow, silver, pink or black. Pearls can also have a glow of a secondary color, which can be seen when light reflects off of the pearls. This hint of color is known as its overtone. Watch style tips on how to wear colorful pearls.

Pearl Shape: Pearls are natural, organic substances and because of that, they come in many unique and interesting shapes. A completely round pearl is very difficult to find and the rounder a pearl is, the more expensive it becomes.

Ultimately, the real value of a pearl should be based on your own personal preference. Ross-Simons offers a selection of gorgeously luminous pearls in an assortment of styles and designs for even the most discriminating... at the level of quality Ross-Simons is known for!

Pearl Types

Cultured Pearl Jewelry

Cultured Freshwater pearls are typically grown in Asian waters in a spectrum of colors. These colors include some of the most popular offered in a variety of styles from Ross-Simons: white, pink, black and champagne.

While some colored pearls can be achieved naturally, some Freshwater pearls are treated to produce a distinctive or particular color. The color you select should be based on your complexion. Their affordability makes them a popular choice when searching for your next pearl jewelry purchase.

Akoya Pearl Jewelry

Whether it's a pair of Ross-Simons earrings; a delicate pendant surround by dazzling diamonds; or a simple strand, you'll enjoy the look of Akoya pearls.

Akoya pearls are truly the perfect choice and most popular if you are considering a pair of pearl earrings or an elegant strand of pearls! Cultured in the Akoya oyster and primarily found in Japan and China, they are lustrous and are generally white or cream colored with overtones of rose, silver, or cream. Although Akoya pearls may seem surprisingly similar in appearance to Freshwater pearls, they are very different when the two are compared side-by-side. Akoya pearls are renowned for their incredible luster and are considered the classic pearl. They are smoother and rounder than Freshwater pearls. Akoya pearls range in size from about 6.0 - 8.5mm.

Ross-Simons' Akoya pearl necklaces have elegant 18kt white gold clasps in lengths from 16" to 18". A gift of Akoya pearl jewelry is a gift that makes a lasting impression. Ross-Simons' Akoya pearls are a gift of luxury at incredible prices. Shop our selection of Akoya pearl jewelry for affordable, classic designs.

South Sea Pearl Necklaces

South Sea pearls are the rarest of pearls and simply spectacular with a unique satiny luster, as well as an array of colors considered more unusual in other types of pearls and are typically white, silver and golden. Cultivated in the white-lipped oyster, larger than the oysters used to produce Akoyas and Freshwater pearls, the size of pearl they produce is considerably larger... reaching sizes as large as 15mm. White-lipped oysters are rare, sensitive and difficult to cultivate, making the pearls they produce more expensive and highly desirable.

Tahitian Pearl Necklaces

Enchanting and mysterious, Tahitian pearls are unique onto themselves due to their natural dark colors: metallic silver, to the color of graphite. Within this range of colors, they can have bluish, purplish, or greenish overtones.

Found in the waters off of the islands of French Polynesia, the natural black color of Tahitian pearls comes from the color of the oyster's black lips. They are much larger than average oysters and are extremely sensitive to the cultivation process. This makes the large pearls they produce extremely valuable and sought after.

Ross-Simons brings you a stunning variety of Tahitian pearl jewelry in incredible styles and designs sure to delight. A gift of Ross-Simons Tahitian pearls is a gift for all-time.

Shop now and enjoy Ross-Simons' savings on pearl stud earrings, fashion earrings, strands, necklaces, pendants, rings, brooches and bracelets.

Pearl Shapes

• Round: Round pearls are perfect spheres and the shape most people think of when they think of a pearl.
• Near-round: Pearls that are slightly flattened or elongated.
• Oval: Pearls shaped like an oval—narrower at the ends than they are in the center.
• Button: Button pearls resemble a button or a disk and are often used in earrings due their versatility with flattering settings.
• Drop: Drop pearls are pearl or teardrop-shaped. The drop can either be "long" or "short" and are typically used in earrings or pendants.
• Semi-baroque: These pearls are slightly irregular in their shape.
• Baroque: A pearl that is not symmetrical and is irregular in shape. It can be abstract and even resemble a stick or some other unique shape.

Quality of Pearl

• The quality of pearls is measured by the combination of factors, which include:
• » Type of pearl
• » Thickness of the nacre
• » Size
• » Luster
• » Color
• » Shape

About Ross-Simons Classic Akoya Pearl Jewelry Collection

• The caliber of our Classic Akoya pearl collection offers fabulous quality for the money, including necklaces with clasps in polished 18kt white gold. The Akoya pearl farms in China now rival their Japanese counterparts. Our classic Akoya pearls are hand matched with medium reflection, medium nacre and very good luster. The pearls are nearly round to the naked eye and have only a very few blemishes on some of the pearls. The body color is white to cream white, with lovely pink and silver overtones.

About Ross-Simons Premier Akoya Pearl Jewelry Collection

• Our Premier Akoya pearl collection is celebrated for its exceptional quality, including necklaces with diamond-accented clasps in polished 18kt white gold. From the finest Japanese pearl farms, our Premier Akoya pearls are hand matched with very high reflection and substantial nacre to radiate an extremely high luster. Our pearls are round and exhibit only the slightest natural blemishes. The body color is white-white with slight pink and silver overtones.