Pure Pearls Glossary
Know exactly what you are buying
15 terms starting with B, each linked to the pieces we actually have.
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Freshwater, saltwater, South Sea, keshi, and how to tell a real pearl from a coated bead.
Round, baroque, drop, coin and the rest, and what each one is worth paying for.
What AAA actually means, plus lustre, nacre, orient and the claims to be sceptical of.
Millimetres, choker to rope, bangle sizing, and which length suits which neckline.
Jhumka, mangalsutra, kundan, polki, temple work and the rest of the Indian vocabulary.
925 silver, plating thickness, American diamond, coral, hallmarks and karat versus carat.
Clasps, knotting, drilling and settings — the parts that decide whether a piece survives.
Storing pearls, the tooth test, restringing, and the astrological terms buyers ask about.
Or by letter
Terms starting with B
Showing 1 to 15 of 15
Bail
The loop connecting a pendant to its chain. Its inner width caps what chain the pendant will fit.
Bangle
A rigid closed circle worn on the wrist, sized by internal diameter rather than length.
16 in stock · from ₹1,200
Bangle Size
The Indian bangle sizing system, from about 2x4 (small) to 2x10 (large), measured as internal diameter.
13 in stock · from ₹1,200
Baroque
Any pearl with no axis of symmetry. Once treated as a reject, now the shape most associated with contemporary pearl design.
40 in stock · from ₹1,500
Basra Pearl
Natural pearls historically fished from the Persian Gulf. The name is now used far more often than the pearls exist.
Bead Nucleated
Grown around a round shell bead, so the pearl is a nacre shell over a core. The saltwater method, and how roundness is achieved.
Bezel Setting
A metal rim wrapped around the edge of a stone or pearl to hold it. The most protective setting there is.
Biwa Pearl
A long, flat, stick-shaped freshwater pearl, originally from Lake Biwa in Japan. Now a shape name more than an origin.
25 in stock · from ₹3,500
Body Colour
A pearl's dominant underlying colour, before any overtone is considered.
Box Clasp
A folded metal tongue that clicks into a box. The traditional fine-jewellery clasp, usually with a safety catch.
Bracelet Length
Usually 7 to 8 inches. Should be about half an inch longer than the wrist so the piece moves rather than grips.
77 in stock · from ₹1,200
Brass
A copper and zinc alloy with a warm gold tone. Strong and inexpensive, but it tarnishes and can react with skin.
14 in stock · from ₹3,000
Bridal Set
A matched group of pieces worn together for a wedding — typically necklace, earrings, and often a maang tikka.
78 in stock · from ₹12,350
Brooch
A pinned ornament. In Indian wear, most often a saree pin holding the pallu in place at the shoulder.
40 in stock · from ₹1,800
Button
Round from the front, flattened from the side. The standard shape for stud earrings.
20 in stock · from ₹1,500
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