How to Choose a Pearl Necklace for Your Wedding Day
Yan Berry
The elegant beauty of a strand of pearls has fascinated brides for centuries. People believe that wearing pearls on their wedding day will bring bliss to their marriage.
Pearls are classic wedding jewelry. How do you choose that perfect pearl necklace?
Here are some tips:
There are four types of pearls: Akoya, Tahitian, South Sea, and freshwater. Akoya, Tahitian and South Sea pearls grow in oceans. They are more valuable than freshwater pearls for their rarity and high luster.
Akoya pearls are the most popular. These pearls are valued for their rich color, mirror-like finish, and appealing roundness.
As with any other gemstones, the value of pearls is determined by their quality. A pearl’s quality can be A, AA, AA+, AAA, AAA+. The last two, AAA and AAA+ pearls, have the best quality and they are most valuable. For pearls of the same size, an ‘A’ quality pearl necklace costs only a small fraction of AAA quality pearl necklace.
The quality and value of pearls are based upon six criteria: luster, nacre, surface, color, shape, size and matching. The educated buyer uses his or her preferences to decide which criteria are most important.
Nacre: Most buyers of pearl jewelry pay most attention to the pearls' nacre thickness. Nacre is the coating that a pearl oyster produces to cover the pearl’s nucleus; it is the key to how long pearls last. You should look for pearls with nacre thickness over 0.4mm.
Luster and Surface: Luster is the amount of light reflected from the pearl's surface. A strand of pearls with high luster, mirror finish and clean surfaces is most desirable and valuable.
Color: It is a personal choice. Consider buying a pearl necklace whose color will complement your clothing and your skin tone.
Size: The price of pearls that are larger than 7mm varies greatly. People usually buy the largest pearls they can afford.
Shape: Round pearls are most desirable and valuable.
Matching: For a pearl necklace or bracelet, matching refers to the ways in which all of the pearls are similar. It is difficult to find enough identical pearls to make a well-matched pearl necklace; therefore such a necklace commands a top price.
After you have decided the type, color, size and quality of pearls that you want, think about your budget. Take your time to shop around and find that perfect pearl necklace for your wedding day!
Copyright: © 2004 by Yan Berry
About the author: Mrs. Berry is a pearl expert and the founder of Premium Pearl, a leading online provider of high quality pearl jewelry.
The latest information and news on Weddings:
"Weddings have become like a fashion parade which was totally inappropriate for places of worship. Nagas have become more stylish than ever," Solo added.
Alameda briefs: City Hall available for weddings
Alameda City Hall available for weddingsAlameda city officials are reminding couples that City Hall is available for weddings this month, including on Valentine's Day.
Horseshoe Bay Resort Garners Coveted "Best of Weddings" Award by Th...
HORSESHOE BAY, Texas, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Horseshoe Bay Resort, long recognized as the Hill Country's premier lakefront golf resort, accepts a new accolade of "Best of Weddings 2012" ...
Ijie.Com and MSN Launch New Weddings Destination in China
XO Group Inc. , formerly The Knot Inc., a global media and technology leader with the number-one wedding website, TheKnot.com, today announced that
CoE synod: Cost of weddings and funerals to rise dramatically
Fees for weddings and the cost of a funeral service are to rise dramatically under plans backed by the Church of England.
CoE synod: Cost of weddings and funerals to dramatically rise
Fees for weddings and the cost of a funeral service are to rise dramatically under plans backed by the Church of England.
Startling Photos of Mass Weddings Around the World
Mass weddings are preferred by several families due to economic reasons as the entire cost of the celebration is shared by multiple households.
Church wedding fees to rise 40%
Fees for Church of England weddings are to increase by 40% and the cost of a funeral service by more than 50%.
Prop. 8: New weddings unlikely right away if measure struck down
The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco is expected to release its decision Tuesday at 10 a.m. on whether the California voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage violates the U.S. Constitution. Here?s a question and answer on the ruling.
Burlington County offering romantic Valentine's Day weddings
MOUNT HOLLY? The county is once again offering residents the opportunity for a romantic Valentine?s Day wedding on Feb. 14 at historic Smithville Mansion on Smithville Road in Eastampton.