A pearl is one of its kinds in the gemstone world because it alone is created by living organisms. Pearls stand as a symbol of innocence and are the most feminine of all gemstones. Pearl jewelry is, therefore, a trend amidst women. Each one of them is unique and there is a wide variety in its type and quality. If you wish a good deal on your pearls and want to be sure that you are buying quality pearls, you need to keep the following things in mind:

Quality: A good quality pearl will have majority of its surface completely smooth with no pits, cracks or dull spots. Most pearls have certain surface imperfections and the amount of these imperfections is one of the most important factors in determining their value.

Shine and Iridescence: The best quality pearls reflect light so strongly that they almost look metallic. This is referred to as "luster". Another characteristic of pearl that will add to its beauty and value are the shining pearly colors that are present. This is called its "orientation".

Size: Size is next in the priority of importance of factors determining the value of a pearl. Pearls range in size generally from about 2 mm to 20 mm. Pearls above 8 mm are considered large. A pearl over 8 mm wide is exponentially more valuable than a pearl of 5 mm of similar quality because of the additional years and resources that are required for their cultivation. Large sized pearls are usually witnessed in single strands used for pearl necklaces or pearl bracelets, while multi-strand pearl necklaces and pearl bracelets generally make use of smaller sizes.

Shape: Pearls come in a variety of shapes. The most valuable shapes are round and near round. Perfectly round pearls are rare to find and are thus the most expensive. The more freeform shapes are usually the least valuable, however can make interesting pearl jewelry when used creatively in a design.

Type: Pearls are classified according to their origins. There are 3 basic types of pearls: cultured saltwater pearls, cultured freshwater pearls and natural pearls. Natural pearls are so rare, that even most jewelers never see one. Freshwater pearls come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, but are generally less expensive than saltwater pearls. Cultured Saltwater pearls are the most commonly used in fine jewelry. They are categorized further according to origin: South Sea and Tahitian pearls are the largest and most valuable, whereas Akoya pearls are the more common medium sized pearls.

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