A pearl necklace symbolizes elegance. Many women of stature and grace are seen with their necks, ears, their fingers and their wrists adorned by pearls. There are many different types of pearls and many different qualities that the pearl can have. Knowing a little bit about them can help you choose the best quality pearls possible.

There are many types of pearl necklaces to choose from including: black pearls, freshwater pearls, baroque pearls, akoya pearls, cultured pearls, mother of pearl and more. Pearls can come in many colors including white, pink, black, red, green and blue. Some are rarer than others and the rarity along with the shape, size, texture and color can help determine the price.

Pearls are a prized possession and many women pass them down from generation to generation. In many cultures, a woman will wear a family heirloom pearl single or double strand necklace on her wedding day or for important occasions. If you don't have a necklace made of pearls, perhaps you're shopping for one that you can have for years to come and pass down to future generations.

A common wedding gift from a groom to a bride is a necklace or other jewels made of pearls. It's also a common gift for a bride to give to her wedding party to be worn on the wedding day and kept as a memento of the occasion. Rings, bracelets and earrings can all make wonderful gifts. There are also gorgeous matching sets that can be purchased from many different types of pearls. Cultured pearls are very popular and readily available.

The forming of a pearl is something very interesting. An oyster uses the substance to protect itself and a pearl will form. Cultured pearls are intricately guided with the careful introduction of a foreign substance into the shell which causes the oyster to begin the process of creating a pearl.

Necklaces, rings and other pearl jewels can be priced at various levels. It's a good idea to be cautious about where you obtain your pearls especially if you're buying them online. Look for AAA quality pearls that are appraised by certified gemologists.

Because pearls are so varied in their style, shape and lustre, getting a necklace that's perfectly round can be quite expensive. There are many different shapes including pear, teardrop, egg, button and other shapes. Varying levels of shape, texture, lustre and size will impact how expensive your pearl jewellery is going to be.

How do you care for your pearls? They should be stored in a bag to keep them from being scratched from other jewels such as gemstones or sharp earrings in your jewellery box. Many people keep their pearls in a velvet or silk pouch. Liquid dish soap or a gentle and non abrasive soap should be used when your pearls need to be cleaned and it's a good idea to leave them in an area where they will be exposed to oxygen. An airtight case is probably not wise unless they are brought out often otherwise your pearl necklace could end up with cracks in it.