Pure Pearls Glossary
Know exactly what you are buying
14 terms starting with S, each linked to the pieces we actually have.
Decode a listing
Paste a description from anywhere. We will tell you what it actually says, what to be wary of, and what the same thing costs here.
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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 S
Showing 1 to 14 of 14
Saltwater Pearl
A pearl grown in an oyster in the sea. Rounder and rarer than freshwater, and considerably more expensive.
42 in stock · from ₹4,760
Screw Back
An earring post with a threaded end and a nut that screws on. The most secure earring fastening.
Screw Clasp
Two halves that screw together, usually shaped as a small ball. Traditional on Indian pearl necklaces and very secure.
Seed Pearl
A very small pearl, under about 2mm, used in clusters, embroidery and temple work.
9 in stock · from ₹5,040
Semi-Round
Very slightly out of true — round to the eye, measurably not. The best value in the whole shape range.
133 in stock · from ₹2,600
Shell Pearl
A bead ground from shell and coated to look like a pearl. Not grown by a mollusc, so not a pearl.
Side Pendant
A necklace whose pendant sits off to one side rather than at the centre front.
42 in stock · from ₹7,700
South Sea Pearl
The largest commercially grown pearl, from the gold-lipped or silver-lipped oyster. Typically 9mm to 16mm, white to deep gold.
39 in stock · from ₹7,700
Spacer
A small bar with several holes that keeps the rows of a multi-line necklace parallel and untangled.
Statement Piece
A single piece large or distinctive enough to carry an outfit by itself.
5 in stock · from ₹3,500
Stringing
The thread a strand is built on, and the craft of assembling it.
Stud
An earring that sits directly on the lobe, held by a post through the piercing.
96 in stock · from ₹1,000
Stud Size
The pearl diameter on a stud earring. 6mm to 8mm is everyday; 9mm and up is a statement.
31 in stock · from ₹1,000
Surface Blemish
Pits, bumps, creases and dull patches on a pearl's surface. Some marking is present on essentially every pearl.
Still deciding?
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