Pure Pearls Glossary
Pearl Size
The diameter of a pearl in millimetres, measured across its widest point. Price rises steeply, not evenly, with size.
Pearls are sold by millimetre. Freshwater pearls commonly run 3mm to 10mm; South Sea pearls reach 16mm and beyond.
The price curve is exponential rather than linear. Going from 6mm to 8mm can double the cost, because the mussel needs far longer in the water and the failure rate rises with every extra month.
Non-round pearls are quoted by two measurements, width by length, since a single number would not describe them.
When you are buying
6mm to 8mm is the versatile range for an adult necklace: substantial enough to read as jewellery, restrained enough for daily wear. Below 5mm reads delicate or juvenile; above 10mm reads formal.
Popular pearl sizes
73 pieces in the collection right now, from ₹3,300.
Subtle Lavender Oval Pearls Necklace With White Pearls & CZ Spacers
Radiant White Pearls Necklace With Pretty CZ & Amethyst Pendant
Cute Pink Pearl Necklace with Flower-Like Crystal Pendant
Elegant 6mm Semi-Round Peach Pearls 16Inch Necklace With AD Spacers
Marvelous White & Grey 17Inch Simple Pearl Necklace
Ornate White Pearls Kada With Grand SP Ruby Clasp
Resplendent String Of Round Pink Pearls With Royal Kundan Pendant
Starry White Pearls Necklace With Pretty CZ & Amethyst Pendant
Read next
Graduated
A strand where pearls increase in size from the clasp to the centre — small at the neck, largest at the throat.
Round
A true sphere. The rarest and most expensive pearl shape, and the benchmark every other shape is priced against.
Millimetre (mm)
The unit every pearl is measured in. One millimetre of difference is clearly visible on the neck.
Princess Length
About 17 to 19 inches, resting just below the collarbone. The default necklace length, and the safest gift.
Not sure what you are being sold?
Paste any pearl description — another shop’s listing, a message from a jeweller, an old certificate — and we will break it down term by term.