Round
A true sphere. The rarest and most expensive pearl shape, and the benchmark every other shape is priced against.
Roundness is judged by rolling the pearl on a flat surface. A true round rolls straight; anything off-round wobbles.
In freshwater pearls, which grow without a round bead inside them, genuine roundness is uncommon and priced accordingly. In saltwater pearls it is the norm, because the implanted bead is round to begin with.
A round strand also has to be matched. Twenty individually round pearls that vary in size or colour still make a poor necklace.
When you are buying
Round is worth paying for in a classic single-strand necklace, where the eye follows an unbroken line and any wobble shows. In earrings and pendants, where pearls sit apart, semi-round costs meaningfully less and looks nearly identical.
Round pearl jewellery
346 pieces in the collection right now, from ₹1,200.
Rich Red Faux-leather & White Pearl Bracelet
Bright Sky-Blue Faux-leather & Peach Pearl Bracelet
Fun Orange Faux-leather & White Pearl Bracelet
The Stardust Ring
The Daybreak Ring
The Moon and Star Ring
Dainty White Round Pearl Stud With Oval Pearl Drops
Precious White Round Pearl Stud With Peach Pearl Drops
Semi-Round
Very slightly out of true: round to the eye, measurably not. The best value in the whole shape range.
Roundish
Recognisably round in outline but visibly imperfect on close inspection.
Off-Round
A catch-all for pearls that aim at round and miss. Covers semi-round through roundish.
Matching
How consistently the pearls within one piece agree on size, colour, lustre and shape. A grading factor in its own right.