Pearls are gems that captivate with their beauty and timeless charm. They adorn jewelry to give it that unique touch of elegance and are usually found on earrings, necklaces, rings, and bracelets, either as a single main piece or in combination with other stones. This mineral is shrouded in mystery, and is formed in a fascinating way. Not all pearls are the same, there are different types of pearls with very different characteristics that make them special. Moreover, their specific features influence their value. Would you like to find out more about this special gem? Keep reading to discover the different types of pearls, their value, and how they are formed! 

Natural and cultured pearls

First of all, we have to distinguish between natural pearls and cultured pearls. Natural pearls are those formed spontaneously in nature without human intervention. These are the rarest and therefore the most valuable and are formed inside mollusks, mainly in oysters and mussels. When a foreign body, which can be a grain of sand or a parasite, enters the mollusk, it begins to create layers of nacre around the object to protect itself. As the layers of nacre build, the pearl is formed. The process is truly fascinating!

Since they are becoming increasingly difficult to find, different cultivation techniques have been created to enjoy this wonderful mineral. They are created in the so-called cultured pearl farms, where the foreign body is introduced in a controlled way into the mollusk. Although they are not natural, the process can take several years. However, they are usually more affordable than natural pearls.

Types of cultured pearls and their characteristics

Nearly 100% of the pearls you will find in jewelry are cultured pearls. Let’s take a look at some types of these pearls and their value.

Freshwater pearls

The techniques for creating freshwater pearls are basically the same as saltwater pearls, only they are cultured from mussels that live in rivers and lakes. They are more affordable than saltwater pearls and come in a variety of natural shapes and colors.

Akoya Pearls

This type of pearl is cultivated mainly in Japan and China. Their color varies from white to cream and occasionally pink. Since they tend to be somewhat smaller than other saltwater cultured pearls, they are the most affordable.

Tahitian pearls

They are saltwater pearls and are cultivated in the islands of French Polynesia. They are also called black pearls and come in a range of colors from white to black with shades of green, pink, blue, silver, and yellow. Tahitian pearls are highly treasured in the world of jewelry, precisely because of these exotic colors.  In terms of price, we can say they are moderately priced, somewhere in the middle range if we are looking for high-quality jewelry.

South Sea pearls

They are the rarest and most sought-after pearls of this selection. They stand out for their remarkably large size and exceptionally smooth and satin luster. The range of colors includes white, silver, and gold, the latter being the rarest and, therefore, the most treasured. South Sea pearls tend to be the most expensive on the market.

Pearl value

As a general rule, we can say that natural pearls are the most expensive and that freshwater cultured pearls are more affordable than saltwater ones. But we cannot always apply that rule without taking into account other key factors that we will look at below.

  • SIZE: Larger pearls are more valuable due to their rarity.
  • SHAPE: The rounder a pearl is, the more it is sought-after. Therefore, its price will also be higher.
  • COLOR: The rarer the color, the higher the price. Gold and black are highly valued.
  • LUSTER: The luster increases the value of the pearls.

The beauty of pearl jewelry

Now you will understand that the beauty of pearl jewelry goes far beyond anything else. They are small treasures that decorate our favorite accessories and give them that exceptional air of elegance. Here at TOUS, we have created several sections especially dedicated to these precious gems. Explore them and discover the most elegant pearl necklaces, our unique pearl earrings, and the latest and most original pearl bracelets. Don’t miss the opportunity!