“A girl needs ropes and ropes of pearls” — Coco Chanel and she couldn’t have been more apt. Pearls make a truly thoughtful gift. Because the most amazing thing about pearls is that they are timeless.  Pearls make an appropriate gift for any occasion; Be it a birthday, an anniversary, a promotion, Valentine’s Day, Women’s Day or Mother’s Day,  pearls make a special occasion even more special. And the best part is, anyone can wear pearls and look gorgeous in them – whether she’s a little girl, a young woman, a mother or a loving grand mom, they’ll all be equally delighted to get a gorgeous pearl piece as a surprise gift.

The classic piece of pearl jewellery is, of course, the pearl necklace set. A well-chosen pearl necklace will lift almost any outfit into a more elegant one.  However, the hardest part of gifting is picking the right set.  With a mind-boggling variety available in the market, it’s not easy to make the right choice.   Here are a few pointers from our side that will help you make a better choice when buying pearls.

Size (of the Pearl and the Person)

Pearls vary in size and shape according to their species/type. Freshwater pearls usually range in size from 2mm to 16mm.  While South Sea and Tahiti Pearls range from 7mm to 20mm.  Giant baroque pearls are as large as 40mm or even bigger.  So what is the significance of the size of pearls while picking a necklace set or any other pearl accessory?

A simpler equation is – the larger the woman, the bigger the pearl.  But there’s no hard and fast rule that every large woman will look good only in large pearls. You can choose 2 lines of smaller or 3 lines of even smaller pearls.

For example:

1. If you are picking a necklace for a slim person, you can go with a 5.5mm to 6mm single strand pearl necklace.
2. For an average-sized woman – you can go up to 8mm or 9mm pearl size. Or, if you are looking for smaller pearls, say, 5mm, go for 2 lines.
3. For a plus-sized woman – 12mm pearls would look gorgeous. Again, you can pick multiple strands of smaller pearls.

Age

Generally, the younger the wearer, the smaller the pearl.  Pearls that measure 5.5 – 6 mm are the ideal size for young girls, from age 12 -16. Anything larger might look awkward.  The next size 6-6.5 mm, is usually chosen for older teens and young women up to about age 24. At these ages, young women are closer to their adult height, so slightly larger pearls look appropriate.  A more mature woman of around 30 might look for a slightly larger pearl necklace. 7.5 – 8 mm pearls are a businesswoman’s wardrobe staple, and also make perfect anniversary gifts. Women who wear pearls in the 8.5 – 9 mm size range are often successful and affluent. Larger pearls are true statement-makers – the ultimate in luxury, beauty and sophistication!

Colour

Apart from the classic, all-time favourite white, pearls are available in myriad colours. From pretty pink, electric blue, shimmery gold to exotic copper, bold black and lavender. Even though pearls have the ability to flatter every wearer, knowing these colours will help you make the right choice based on the person’s skin tone.  White, Pink/Peach, Baby Pink, Mixed Pink, Pearls with Peacock Hues, Grey, South Sea Golden, Tahiti Pearls will look gorgeous on any fair complexioned woman.

For brown and dark skinned women, darker colours such as Tahiti, black, grey, pearls with peacock hues are best avoided. The rest of the pearl colours would look equally stunning, similar to those suiting fair-skinned women.

Occasion

 If you have a closer look at our website, you will see that for most products (including Pearl Necklace Sets) we have mentioned the kind of occasion and dress suited for each piece. You can take these cues while shopping and choosing your jewellery.

• A rich, grand pearl necklace set will be apt for lavish functions like weddings, receptions, corporate launches or celebrity functions. With our shiny, superior quality pearls, the wearer is bound to be the envy of the gathering.
• For a relatively smaller get-together, an evening out or a friends/relatives’ party we recommend a two-line pearl necklace with a pendant or corals.

Note –South Sea and/or Tahiti pearls should be worn to the right gathering and with the right dress!

Budget

In the past, pearls were exorbitantly priced and also reserved only for royalty. Thankfully, with the availability of freshwater pearls in the market, these gems have become more affordable and you don’t have to spend a fortune on them. However, depending on the size, lustre, shape, colour, the surface of the pearls, the price varies. Higher the quality of pearls, the more expensive they are.

• Freshwater pearls are the most common and also the most affordable. If you’re looking for something elegant and classy without having to spend too much, this would make a great choice.
• Akoya pearls are classic pearls with a sharp metallic lustre.  They are typically white and perfectly round, which makes them an all-time favourite choice.
• If you want to give something unique and exotic, Tahitian pearls are the best bet. They have an excellent lustre and come in fascinating colours.
• South Sea Pearls are the ultimate in luxury. They come in a variety of gorgeous hues. Being the rarest and largest, they are expensive and valued for their rich colour and lustre.