Freshwater, Akoya, South Sea or Tahitian?
Most pearls sold today are cultured: a pearl farmer starts the pearl and the mollusc grows it. The main types are:
- Freshwater pearls — grown in mussels in lakes and rivers. They come in white, cream, pink, peach and lavender, in many shapes, and offer the best value. Most of our necklaces are freshwater pearls.
- Akoya pearls — saltwater pearls known for very round shapes and a sharp, mirror-like lustre.
- South Sea pearls — large saltwater pearls in white and gold tones.
- Tahitian pearls — naturally dark saltwater pearls (grey, green, peacock).
The five things that decide a pearl's beauty
- Lustre — how sharply the pearl reflects light. This matters most.
- Surface — fewer spots and ripples means a cleaner look.
- Shape — round is classic; oval, button and baroque (free-form) shapes have their own charm and cost less.
- Colour — choose a body colour (white, cream, pink, grey, black) and look for soft overtones.
- Size & matching — larger pearls cost more; on a strand, pearls should match in size, colour and lustre.
Necklace lengths
| Choker | about 35–40 cm (14–16 in) — sits at the base of the neck |
|---|---|
| Princess | about 43–48 cm (17–19 in) — the classic everyday length |
| Matinee | about 50–60 cm (20–24 in) — just above the bust, good with open necklines |
| Opera / rani haar | 70 cm and longer, often layered in several strands — the traditional rani haar for weddings and festive wear |
Check the paperwork
A gem-testing identification report records what a lab found when it tested the piece. On our site, pieces with a report show the lab name, report number and readings — see how to read your certificate.
Buying pearls online: a quick checklist
- Real photos (and ideally a video) of the exact piece.
- Clear price including GST, and free, insured delivery.
- A clear returns policy.
- A seller you can reach — ask for a live photo on WhatsApp.