The Pearl Guide
Everything you need to know to choose the perfect pearl — from how they form in the depths of the ocean to what sets each variety apart.
How Pearls Are Formed
A pearl begins not as something precious — but as an irritant. What the oyster does next is one of nature's most extraordinary acts of transformation.
The Irritant Enters
Pearl farmers surgically implant a small bead nucleus into the oyster's soft tissue — triggering the remarkable natural response that creates a pearl.
Nacre Layers Build
The oyster coats the nucleus with hundreds of microscopic layers of nacre — the same lustrous material lining its shell — building up over months and years.
Years of Growth
Layer by layer the nacre builds up. Thicker nacre means a more lustrous, durable pearl — the longer the oyster grows, the finer the result.
The Harvest
When the pearl reaches optimal size and quality, the oyster is carefully opened and the pearl extracted. Each one is unique — graded and sorted by hand.
Natural vs Cultured Pearls: Natural pearls form entirely by chance with no human involvement and are exceedingly rare. Cultured pearls are initiated by pearl farmers who implant the nucleus — but the nacre layering process is exactly the same as in nature. Today, virtually all pearls sold in fine jewelry are cultured, including those at Prestige Pearl. They are 100% real pearls.
Types of Pearls
Each variety is grown in different waters, by different mollusks, in different corners of the world — giving each its own personality, colour palette, and character.
Akoya Pearls
When most people imagine a pearl, they are imagining an Akoya. Cultivated in the Pinctada fucata oyster in the cold coastal waters of Japan and China, Akoya pearls are celebrated for their near-perfect round shape and brilliant, mirror-like lustre that is unmatched by any other variety. Their cool white colour with delicate pink or silver overtones makes them the definitive choice for pearl strands, stud earrings, and bridal jewellery.
Tahitian Pearls
Produced exclusively by the large, black-lipped oyster native to the lagoons of French Polynesia, Tahitian pearls are the only pearl in the world to occur in naturally dark colours without treatment. Often called "black pearls," they are in fact a mesmerising spectrum: deep peacock green, silver grey, aubergine, midnight blue, and bronze. Their dramatic size and iridescent overtones make them the most striking of all pearl varieties.
South Sea Pearls
Regarded as the pinnacle of the pearl world, South Sea pearls are produced by the Pinctada maxima — the largest pearl oyster in existence — in the warm, pristine waters off Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Their exceptional size, satiny lustre, and extraordinarily thick nacre set them apart from every other variety. Silver-lipped oysters produce white and silver pearls; gold-lipped oysters produce the coveted golden South Sea pearl.
Freshwater Pearls
Grown in freshwater lakes and rivers in China, freshwater pearls are the most diverse and accessible variety in the world. Unlike saltwater pearls, they are tissue-nucleated — meaning they are composed almost entirely of nacre, making them remarkably durable. A single mussel can produce up to 30–40 pearls simultaneously, resulting in a wide natural colour spectrum from white and cream to pink, peach, and lavender.
Pearl Comparison
A quick reference to understand the key differences between all four pearl varieties at a glance.
| Variety | Origin | Size | Colours | Lustre | Rarity | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akoya | Japan, China | 2–11mm | White, cream, silver | Brilliant, mirror-like | Moderate | |
| Freshwater | China | 3–16mm+ | White, pink, peach, lavender | Soft to high | Abundant | |
| Tahitian | French Polynesia | 8–18mm | Black, peacock, aubergine, grey | High, deep orient | Rare | |
| South Sea | Australia, Indonesia | 9–20mm | White, silver, golden | Satiny, warm glow | Very Rare |
Pearl Size Guide
Pearl size is measured by diameter in millimetres. A single millimetre changes both the look and the price. Here is how each size tends to wear.
Dainty & Everyday
Subtle and youthful. Ideal for a first strand, everyday studs, and younger wearers.
The Do-Everything Classic
The most popular size. Enough presence to notice, refined enough for daily wear. When in doubt, choose this.
Confident Presence
A step more luxurious. Perfect for bridal, milestone gifts, and dressed-up looks.
Statement Size
Rare and striking — South Sea and Tahitian territory. A true collector's piece.
Why size drives price: larger pearls are exponentially rarer, because the oyster needs more years to grow them and few reach a large size with a flawless surface. Moving from 7mm to 9mm can easily double the price of a matched strand — not for two millimetres, but for the rarity they represent.
Pearl Grading
Pearl quality is evaluated across six key factors. At Prestige Pearl, every piece is carefully assessed against all six before we offer it to you.
Lustre
The most important factor. Lustre is the sharpness and intensity of light reflected on the surface — the inner glow that makes a pearl luminous and alive.
Nacre
Nacre thickness determines durability and lustre depth. Thicker nacre means the pearl will last generations and glow more richly with age.
Shape
Round pearls are the rarest and most valued. However, baroque and drop shapes carry their own charm and are prized for contemporary designs.
Surface
All natural pearls have surface characteristics known as "birthmarks." Fewer and smaller blemishes indicate higher quality.
Size
Measured in millimetres. Larger pearls are significantly rarer and more valuable — even a 0.5mm difference can represent a major price change in South Sea pearls.
Colour
Pearl colour has three components: body colour (the primary hue), overtone (a secondary translucent colour), and orient (iridescent shimmer on the finest pearls).
Caring for Your Pearls
Pearls are organic gems and require gentle care. With the right habits, they will last — and even improve in lustre — for generations.
The Golden Rules
- Put your pearls on last when getting ready — after perfume, hairspray, and makeup
- Take your pearls off first when you return home
- Never swim, shower, or exercise while wearing pearls
- Keep pearls away from chlorine, bleach, and household chemicals
Cleaning
- Wipe with a soft, dry or lightly damp cloth after each wear to remove skin oils
- For deeper cleaning, use mild soap with lukewarm water — never hot
- Lay flat to dry for at least 24 hours before storing — never hang to dry
- Never use ultrasonic cleaners, steamers, or abrasive cloths
Storage
- Store pearls in a soft pouch or lined jewellery box — never loose in a drawer
- Keep separate from other jewellery to avoid surface scratches
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources
- Avoid airtight containers — pearls need a little moisture to maintain lustre
Maintenance
- Pearl necklaces should be restrung every 1–2 years if worn regularly
- Knots between each pearl protect against loss if the strand breaks
- Every piece is covered by our 1-year warranty — contact us anytime
- Have settings professionally inspected annually if pearls are mounted in gold
Ready to Find Your Perfect Pearl?
Now that you know what sets each variety apart, browse our hand-selected collection — every pearl graded for lustre, nacre, and beauty before it reaches you.