Pearl necklaces – How to choose

Pearl Necklaces – how to choose the right one to wear

So you fancy a vintage necklace? Pearl necklaces are very fashionable now but how do you choose from the huge variety available. As with all Jewellery is is nice to buy vintage jewellery as you will have something more unique and most likely at a better price and with a wider range to choose from.

Lets take a look at some terms associated with vintage pearls to help guide you:

Natural pearls:

These have been formed in the oyster without any interference from man. These are the original pearls sought after through the centuries and quite rare and expensive these days especially if you want a large matched necklace. If you are going to buy a natural pearl necklace I suggest that you take some expert advice from a jeweller so as not to be mis-led. Seed pearls are tiny natural pearls and baroque or fresh water pearls are natural but normal mis-shapen

Cultured pearls:

These are formed in the oyster just like natural pearls but the formation of these is started by a tiny bead being introduced into the oyster shell. The oysters are farmed in large beds – The most famous name is cultured pearls is Mikimoto. Cultured pearls are much cheaper than natural pearls and unless you examine them very closely look just the same. If you see the term SouthSea pearls these are also cultured pearls 

AntiquesAvenue always offers a selection of vintage pearl necklaces. Please do press the search button below to view them:

Faux Pearls:

Faux Pearls, Imitation pearls, Majorcan pearls, costume pearls these are entirely man- made either from plastic or glass. Faux Pearls are costume jewellery, they are much cheaper than natural and cultured pearls and for a while can look the part . “Faux” is the French term for false or imitation.

 Pink Pearls, Black Pearls:

Whilst natural coloured pearls can be found these have almost always have been dyed they could be cultured or faux pearls

Knotted String of pearls:

Pearl necklaces  are often sold as “Hand Knotted”. This means that each pearl is knotted onto the string so that there is a tiny know between each pearl and its neighbour. Knotting in this way spaces out the pearls and prevents wear when they rub up together and also it prevents you from looking many if the string breaks. Good knotting is to be expected on a string of high quality pearls but beware can also be found on cheaper costume jewellery strings of pearls.