Hey, we are talking about evening gowns here. So I know it's a special occasion for you, which is important and really means something to you. Let me guess. It's a prom? Classmates reunion? Going together in the church? Or a company new year party? Doesn't matter. The most important is that you want to look nice and elegant. Diamond is always an option, dazzling and luxury. But when it comes to a diamond jewelry piece that catches others' eyes dozens feets away, not everyone can afford it.

In this case, pearls jewelry are just as luxury and eye catching, yet they are only a fraction of the cost of a diamond alternative. Fine natural pearls are charmingly shining, with dazzling lusters. Top grade pearls can be over 13mm big in diameter, with great luster, and free of blemishes on the surface, making them perfect for fine jewelry.

There are quite a few factors that together decide the value of a pearl: luster, thickness of the luster, cleanness of the surface, and size. The bigger the pearl, the more valuable it is. Also, the shape of the pearl matters as well. High quality pearls are perfectly round. Pearls with almost perfect surfaces are hard to find and thus valuable. A perfect surface is extremely smooth, you can actually use it as a mirror! A real fine and top quality pearl has very thick shine surface as well.

When it comes to types of pearls, there are fresh water pearls and sea pearls. Oh, forget to mention that wild natural pearls are really hard to find in the market (less than 0.5%) today since the cultivation of pearls was invented early 1900s. The reason? Cultured pearls are much much more affordable than wild pearls, yet they are just as shinny and lusterous. Only, they are bigger. China, Japan, Australia, and Tihitan are considered as the top production bases of pearls.

Pearls that are produced in China are usually cheaper. They are cheaper not because they are of inferior quality, but because they are produced in larger quantities. In each oyster pearl, it is not uncommon to find twenty to thirty pearls. You can easily buy large number of pearls at wholesale prices. The Japanese prefer quality over quantity. In Japan, each pearl oyster only carries one single pearl at any one time. The pearl is usually much larger in size, more radiant, and has a nicer shape. As you can see, there are a wide variety of pearls available in the market. Surely, there will be something that goes well with your evening gown.

In the market, pearls come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. In terms of shape, you get off-round, round, and baroque (or irregular). Pearl sizes can range from 1mm to 16mm. I've seen even bigger ones. In terms of colors, pearls can come in natural colors: white, gold. It can be dyed into purple, pink, and black. Tihitan pearls are naturally black though. Pearls can fit into almost any type of chain or ring to become a piece of pearl jewelry. Hence, you will be able to find pearl necklaces, pearl bracelets, pearl ear rings, and almost any kind of jewelry you can think of.

Pearl pieces are the kind of jewelry that make you look elegant and gracious while keeping a low profile. And pearl necklaces that are usually hand beaded with top quality pearls, in selected consistant sizes really shines. Luxury, elegant, femine, and yet at usually a fraction of the price of an alternative diamond piece. Pearl necklaces almost goes extremely well along with any formal dress, for any special occasion. That is prorablly why pearl jewelry is always a must in woman's jewelry boxes all over the world.