Pearl Engagement Rings
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The Best Pearl Shopping Guide

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	Type	Origin	Colors	Size	Value
Akoya Pearls	Cultured, Saltwater	Japan, China	white,cream,blue, rose,silver	2-10 mm	Medium
Cortez Pearls	Cultured, Saltwater	Gulf of California	white,silver,gray, bronze,iridescent,black	8-14 mm	Med-High
Freshwater Pearls	Cultured, Freshwater	Japan, China, U.S.	all	1-13 mm	Low
Kasumiga Pearls	Cultured, Freshwater	Tokyo (Lake Kasumigaura)	white,pink,gold, rose,dark rose,purple	11-16 mm	Med-High
South Sea Pearls	Cultured, Saltwater	Australia, Indonesia	white,cream,pink, gold,silver	8-20 mm	Highest
Tahitian Pearls	Cultured, Saltwater	French Polynesia	gray,silver,black, peacock green,iridescent	8-18 mm	High

Other types of Pearls

Half Pearls = These are any type of pearls that have been sawed or ground down on one side to remove imperfections or blemishes (sometimes also referred to as three-quarter pearls).

Blister Pearls = Natural or cultured freshwater pearls which grow with a flat side due to an attachment to the inside of the mussel shell. Tennessee is the largest producer of blister pearls.

Maybè Pearls = Cultured blister pearls which are formed by manually gluing the irritation on the inside of the mussel shell; once removed a hole is left inside the pearl which much be filled. These types of pearls are not recommended for pearl engagement rings or wedding rings because they have a low durability. (Solid Blister Pearls, as in Tennessee Blister Pearls, are much more durable than Maybè Pearls).


Pearl Enhancements

Natural and cultured pearls often receive permanent and safe enhancements to improve their appearance or change their color. Unenhanced pearls are usually valued higher than enhanced pearls.

• E or B label = The pearl has been bleached to yield a smooth white color.
• D label = The pearl has been dyed blue-black, rose, blue, golden or any other colors.
• R = The pearl has been irradiated to change the original color to blue, black, bronze and gray colors.
  
  

An Important Note About White Gold Pearl Rings

While tons of pearl and diamond rings, and other types of pearl wedding ring styles, are available in white gold it is best to avoid this metal for pearl rings. This is because pearls are very sensitive to the sulfuric compounds which are used in the rhodium plate process - over time, repeated rhodium plate applications will gradually cause pitting on pearls as the organic layers are literally eaten away by the ingredients in the rhodium bath.

Instead, it is best to stick with silver, palladium platinum, yellow gold or rose gold for your pearl wedding ring metals.

Special Care of Pearl Engagement Rings and Wedding Rings

Pearl engagement rings require special care to maintain their original luster and preserve the nacre coating around the pearl.

All pearls are sensitive to heat, chemicals (household chemicals, cosmetics such as lotions and performs), and ultrasonic cleaning methods.

Always remove your pearl wedding ring before performing any household chores, swimming in chlorinated water, or any other type of intensive work which involves your hands.

To help preserve a pearl wedding ring, apply lotions or cosmetics on first before putting the ring back on; when your ring is off your hand, store the ring in a soft cloth bag so it will not be scratched by other jewelry pieces.


Pearl Price Guide

Due to the various types of pearls, sizes, and shapes, it is impossible to put a specific price on pearls. However, below you will find how pearls are valued and tips that will help you to choose a quality pearl engagement ring or pearl wedding ring.

A specific grading system for pearls has not yet been established, instead, pearl prices are based on the pearl's luster, shape, size, color, and surface uniformity.

Highly valued pearls have a very high luster, or mirror-like reflective sheen, on the entire surface. Pearls with a strong, thick, nacre layer are the only ones which can produce a natural high grade luster.

Pearl engagement rings created with a uniform, circular, shaped pearl are highly valued; although some rings feature uniquely shaped pearls that are anything but uniform which many buyers find attractive.

The price of a pearl depends heavily on the pearl's size. Pearls are valued on their size in millimeters (mm), and even a slight increase in millimeter size can drastically increase the pearl’s value. This is especially true for pearls which have a high luster and beautiful shape.

Natural rare colors of pearls such as white-rose, silver-white, and light gold are more highly valued than other colors. However, the color of a pearl ring should be chosen based on personal preference.

Real pearls always have minute bumps and ridges, but highly valued pearls will be free of any surface imperfections or blemishes which are visible to the naked eye.

Pearls which have not received any type of enhancement are valued more highly than those which have been bleached, dyed, or irradiated.

How to Tell A Fake Pearl from a Real Pearl

The tooth test: As all natural or cultivated pearls have small imperfections on their surface, legend has it that if you rub a pearl across your teeth you can tell a fake pearl from a real pearl by feeling any small ridges or bumps rubbing on your teeth. However, as cultivated pearl techniques have improved, these pearls are nearly as smooth as synthetic pearls.

Light Test: If you a hold a pearl to bright light or sunlight, you should be able to see slight imperfections on the surface of the pearl, the shape, and the color. If you have a pearl which has a perfect surface, shape, and color uniformity it is probably synthetic or has been highly enhanced.

X-ray Test: A synthetic pearl can immediately be differentiated from a real pearl using an x-ray image; this service is available through gem laboratories or certified gemologists for a fee.

Quality of the Setting and Ring: Pearl engagement rings or wedding rings which hold highly valued pearls are usually made out of precious metals such as gold, platinum, or palladium, with a high grade of workmanship.

Shopping Tips for Pearl Engagement Rings

There are plenty of high quality pearl engagement rings on the market, but couples still need to shop smart to ensure that they have paid the right price for the right pearl.

Keep in mind that there is no current grade standard for pearls; two widely used pearl grading systems are the A-D system and the AAA – A system, but these systems are often used erroneously and can be misleading. Instead, it is best to concentrate on the factors that are a hallmark of a good pearl: superb luster, shape, surface uniformity, size, and color.

Always research the type of pearl you are buying before completing your purchase so you will know if the seller is being honest with you about where the pearl originated from, which colors the pearls naturally come in, and if the price is competitive. For instance, if you’re looking at a “Natural Akoya Pearl” which is black in color, you will know that Akoya Pearls are cultured saltwater pearls (not natural), and that since black is not a natural color in this type of pearl it has been dyed.

Beware of affordable natural pearl engagement rings. Truly natural pearls are quite rare, and natural pearls which are uniform in color, shape, and of a good size are almost impossible to find unless you deal with a specialized retailer; these types of pearls are highly valued in the tens of thousands of dollars price range.

It doesn't make sense to put a highly valued pearl in a poor quality ring, or a ring which is made of low cost metals such as silver, or low karat gold alloys. Beware of pearl engagement rings crafted with low cost metals which supposedly hold valuable rare pearls.

Never purchase pearl engagement rings or wedding rings without a return policy, and ask an independent jeweler to evaluate the pearl if you are unsure about your purchase.

It is best to purchase pearl engagement rings or pearl wedding rings from sellers which have plenty of experience dealing in these items and who have a verifiable reputation.

If you are interested in pearl and diamond rings, remember to stick with retailers who offer rings which come with diamond certifications from a reputable laboratory such as the GIA, AGS, IGI or EGL.

An antique pearl engagement ring with diamonds should come with an estimate or appraisal plus a certificate of authentication. (Because mounted diamonds cannot go through the certification process - they must be loose - it is common for antique, vintage or estate pearl diamond rings to come with authentication and appraisal certificates instead).

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