If you are here, you are probably on the verge of buying a beautiful pearl set but are confused if now is the best time to buy them. You might have questions like “What is the cost of pearls today?” or “Will pearls price drop or rise soon?” 

Here’s the thing; the price of pearls in India and other parts of the world depends on several factors and not just its weight. The most important factors are: 

• Weight 
• Type of pearl 
• Colour of pearl 
• Size of pearl 
• Shape of pearl 
• Surface quality 
• Lustre 

The price of other jewellery like gold or silver is largely dictated by their weight. So, if you know the weight, you can fairly guess how much the jewellery is going to cost you. Pearls are natural gemstones and are price differently. 

Read on as we explore cost of pearls, how they are priced, which pearl costs less and which are the most expensive ones. 

NOTE: The prices mentioned in this blog post are those of Pure Pearls and were last updated on April 14th, 2023. 

Cost of Pearls: Natural vs Cultured Pearls Price

Natural Pearls 

Natural pearls are those pearls that are found in the wild. Due to increasing global temperatures, climate change and pollution, they have become incredibly rare.

These pearls cost anywhere between INR 15,000 to INR 50,000 per carat.

Buy all-natural Keshi pearls from Pure Pearls.

Cultured Pearls 

Cultured pearls are pearls that were obtained from molluscs and oysters that were farmed by pearl farmers. 

Cultured pearls have low to nil environmental impact and are also abundant in quantity.

Cultured freshwater pearls price in India = approx. INR 280 per gram 

Cultured saltwater pearls price in India = approx. INR 6,000 per gram

Buy cultured freshwater and saltwater pearls from Pure Pearls.

Freshwater Pearls Price Based on Weight 

Just like any other gemstone, weight is also a crucial element when it comes to price, but not the only variable. 

Naturally, the price of the pearl is going to be high as the weight increases. 

The cost of 1 gram A-grade freshwater pearl can be as low as INR 40. 

The cost of 1-gram highest quality freshwater pearl (AAA) is about INR 280. 

Saltwater Pearls Price Based on Type and Weight 

There are several types of pearls in nature, like South Sea Pearls, Tahitian Pearls, Baroque Pearls and Round Freshwater Pearls. Each type of pearl is very unique from the other in terms of appearance and even formation. 

Here, you will find how much different kinds of pearls cost. 

If you are new to pearls and are unfamiliar with the different types, then read our guide on different kinds of pearls before proceeding further. 

Akoya Pearls Price 

Akoya Pearls are the classic white saltwater pearls. 

These pearls cost about INR 1,000 per gram (INR 200 per carat). 

South Sea Pearls Price 

South Sea Pearls are the largest and roundest cultured saltwater pearls. They come from the southern seas of Australia, the Philippines and Indonesia. 

South Sea Pearls cost approximately INR 6,500 per gram. 

Tahitian Pearls Price 

Tahitian Pearls are the only pearls that are available in black. They are obtained from the islands of French Polynesia, where Tahiti is the largest central island. 

Round Tahitian Pearls cost approximately INR 6,000 per gram (INR 1,200 per carat) 

Pearls Price Based on Colour 

Below are the approximate rates for AAA quality round freshwater pearls: 

 Explore exotic colour freshwater pearls by Pure Pearls.

Below are the approximate rates for AAA quality round saltwater pearls: 

Pearls Price Based on Size 

Naturally, you might assume that bigger pearls cost more than smaller pearls. That is not entirely true. 

The fact is the pearls that are very small cost more than pearls of regular size. Likewise, very large pearls also cost more than the pearls of regular size. That is because very small and very large pearls are much rarer, especially of high quality, good shape and smooth surface. 

Below is an illustration that compares the prices of popular types of pearls. 

Pearls Price Based on Shape 

The shape is one of the critical aspects that decide a pearl’s value. 

Perfectly round pearls are incredibly rare. Hence, they are the most expensive. 

Often, small round pearls cost much higher than large pearls that have a potato-like shape. 

Take a look at the beautiful baroque pearl necklace collection by Pure Pearls.

The illustration below shows the different pearl shapes in increasing order of cost. 

Therefore, a pearl necklace made with round pearls is more expensive than one made using oval pearls. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Below are some questions that several of our customers have asked. 

Which pearl necklace is more expensive – graduated or non-graduated? 

Graduated refers to the pearl necklace where the largest pearl is at the centre, and the size of pearls gradually decreases towards the ends of the necklace. A non-graduated necklace, on the other hand, is made from pearls that are all of the same or similar size. 

A non-graduated pearl necklace is more expensive than a graduated one. That is because pearls are natural products, and finding several pearls of the same size is very difficult. 

How is a pearl’s value determined? 

Several factors determine a pearl’s value. However, it all boils down to the same thing – Rarity. 

The rarer the pearl, the more valuable it is. 

For example: 

• White pearls are rarer than pink pearls 
• Round pearls are rarer than unevenly shaped pearls 
• Lustrous pearls are rarer than non-lustrous pearls 

Which pearl necklace is cheaper – an oval pearl necklace or a round pearl necklace? 

Oval pearls cost lesser than round pearls. Hence, the oval pearl necklace is cheaper than the other. 

Why do sea pearls cost more than freshwater pearls? 

Sea pearls (saltwater pearls) are much rarer than freshwater pearls. 

It takes about 10 months to 1.5 years for a freshwater pearl to form, whereas it can take 5 to 7 years to get a single saltwater pearl! 

Where can I buy pearls at a low cost in India?

Hyderabad has been extremely popular for pearls in India and abroad. However, there are not many pearl jewellers who specialize exclusively in pearl jewellery.

Pure Pearls is your one-stop destination for all types of pearl jewellery at incredibly affordable prices! Our unique customer-centric business model allows us to keep our prices very low without compromising on quality!