Multi Shaded
A piece deliberately strung from pearls of different colours, arranged as a gradient or a scatter.
Multi-shaded strands use the natural colour spread of a freshwater harvest instead of discarding it.
Good ones are composed rather than random. Either the colours run in a deliberate sequence, or they are distributed so no two neighbours clash.
Because they use pearls that would otherwise be sorted out of matched strands, they offer unusual colour at a moderate price.
When you are buying
A multi-shaded strand is the most versatile pearl necklace to own, because it picks up whatever colour you wear it with instead of fighting it.
Matching
How consistently the pearls within one piece agree on size, colour, lustre and shape. A grading factor in its own right.
Exotic Pearl Colours
Pearls outside the white and cream range: pink, peach, lavender, grey, golden, blue, green and multi-shaded strands.
Body Colour
A pearl's dominant underlying colour, before any overtone is considered.