Pearl Engagement Rings
And
The Best Pearl Shopping Guide

pearl engagement rings

Pearl engagement rings hold a gemstone which has been admired and treasured for thousands of years.

As the only gemstone which must form within a living mollusk, the pearl is unique, captivating, and highly valued. Pearl wedding rings and engagement rings do require special care to preserve the gemstone’s natural luster and color, but with care and attention these rings will be treasured for a lifetime.

To find the perfect pearl wedding ring, use the info below including characteristics of the pearl, different types of pearls used in rings, a pearl price guide, common pearl enhancements, special care for pearl rings and the best metals for every day wear pearl rings.

Pearl Fast Fun Facts!

Birthstone Month? Classical birthstone for the month of June

Durability: Good

Meaning: Purity, honesty and wisdom

Flash Factor: Mild

Special Care: Moderate

Price $$: Low to High

Availability: Rare to Good

And if you have any questions, comments or pearl wedding ring pics to share, just use the handy comment box at the end of the page!


Pearl Properties

Durability = Good
Hardness = 3.5 – 4.0
Refractive Index = 1.53 – 1.69
Specific Gravity = 2.6 – 2.78


The Meaning of the Pearl

The pearl has traditionally been associated with the moon, spirituality, honesty, wisdom, and purity. The pearl is believed to imbue the wearer with qualities of purity, honestly, and wisdom, and to connect the wearer with nature and spiritual dreams through its association with the moon.

Different Types of Pearls

Natural Pearls = Natural pearls are by far the most highly valued of all pearls because they are so very rare. These types of pearls form within a shelled mollusk in saltwater or freshwater without any type of human intervention.

Cultured Pearls = Most pearl rings today are created using cultured pearls. These types of pearls are formed within shelled mollusks on saltwater or freshwater ‘pearl farms.’ On these farms an irritant is surgically placed within the mollusk to produce an irritation; the mollusk then forms a nacre layer of calcium carbonate around the irritation and a pearl is created.

Saltwater Pearls = These types of pearls are grown inside a type of pearl oyster that can only live in saltwater. Saltwater pearls are either cultured or natural (rare). Pearl farms grow one saltwater pearl per oyster, and these pearls have a much higher value than freshwater pearls.

Freshwater Pearls = These types of pearls are grown inside pearl mussels which live in freshwater. Freshwater pearls are either cultured or natural (rare) Pearl farms may culture twenty or more freshwater pearls per mussel.

Pearl Comparison Table

*The colors listed in the types of pearls below are their natural colors which occur without the use of synthetic dyes.

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Choose from dozens of gemstones, 9 metals and 5 different
types of pearls!

Type Origin Colors Size Value
Akoya Pearls Cultured, Saltwater Japan, China white,cream,blue, rose,silver 2-10 mm Medium
Cortez Pearls Cultured, Saltwater Gulf of California white,silver,gray, bronze,iridescent,black 8-14 mm Med-High
Freshwater Pearls Cultured, Freshwater Japan, China, U.S. all 1-13 mm Low
Kasumiga Pearls Cultured, Freshwater Tokyo (Lake Kasumigaura) white,pink,gold, rose,dark rose,purple 11-16 mm Med-High
South Sea Pearls Cultured, Saltwater Australia, Indonesia white,cream,pink, gold,silver 8-20 mm Highest
Tahitian Pearls Cultured, Saltwater French Polynesia gray,silver,black, peacock green,iridescent 8-18 mm High


Other types of Pearls


Half Pearls = These are any type of pearls that have been sawed or ground down on one side to remove imperfections or blemishes (sometimes also referred to as three-quarter pearls).

Blister Pearls = Natural or cultured freshwater pearls which grow with a flat side due to an attachment to the inside of the mussel shell. Tennessee is the largest producer of blister pearls.

Maybè Pearls = Cultured blister pearls which are formed by manually gluing the irritation on the inside of the mussel shell; once removed a hole is left inside the pearl which much be filled. These types of pearls are not recommended for pearl engagement rings or wedding rings because they have a low durability. (Solid Blister Pearls, as in Tennessee Blister Pearls, are much more durable than Maybè Pearls).


Pearl Enhancements

Natural and cultured pearls often receive permanent and safe enhancements to improve their appearance or change their color. Unenhanced pearls are usually valued higher than enhanced pearls.

  • E or B label = The pearl has been bleached to yield a smooth white color.
  • D label = The pearl has been dyed blue-black, rose, blue, golden or any other colors.
  • R = The pearl has been irradiated to change the original color to blue, black, bronze and gray colors.

An Important Note About White Gold Pearl Rings

While tons of pearl and diamond rings, and other types of pearl wedding ring styles, are available in white gold it is best to avoid this metal for pearl rings. This is because pearls are very sensitive to the sulfuric compounds which are used in the rhodium plate process - over time, repeated rhodium plate applications will gradually cause pitting on pearls as the organic layers are literally eaten away by the ingredients in the rhodium bath.

Instead, it is best to stick with silver, palladium platinum, yellow gold or rose gold for your pearl wedding ring metals.


Special Care of Pearl Engagement Rings and Wedding Rings


Pearl engagement rings require special care to maintain their original luster and preserve the nacre coating around the pearl.

All pearls are sensitive to heat, chemicals (household chemicals, cosmetics such as lotions and performs), and ultrasonic cleaning methods.

Always remove your pearl wedding ring before performing any household chores, swimming in chlorinated water, or any other type of intensive work which involves your hands.

To help preserve a pearl wedding ring, apply lotions or cosmetics on first before putting the ring back on; when your ring is off your hand, store the ring in a soft cloth bag so it will not be scratched by other jewelry pieces.


Pearl Price Guide

Due to the various types of pearls, sizes, and shapes, it is impossible to put a specific price on pearls. However, below you will find how pearls are valued and tips that will help you to choose a quality pearl engagement ring or pearl wedding ring.

A specific grading system for pearls has not yet been established, instead, pearl prices are based on the pearl's luster, shape, size, color, and surface uniformity.

Highly valued pearls have a very high luster, or mirror-like reflective sheen, on the entire surface. Pearls with a strong, thick, nacre layer are the only ones which can produce a natural high grade luster.

Pearl engagement rings created with a uniform, circular, shaped pearl are highly valued; although some rings feature uniquely shaped pearls that are anything but uniform which many buyers find attractive.

The price of a pearl depends heavily on the pearl's size. Pearls are valued on their size in millimeters (mm), and even a slight increase in millimeter size can drastically increase the pearl’s value. This is especially true for pearls which have a high luster and beautiful shape.

Natural rare colors of pearls such as white-rose, silver-white, and light gold are more highly valued than other colors. However, the color of a pearl ring should be chosen based on personal preference.

Real pearls always have minute bumps and ridges, but highly valued pearls will be free of any surface imperfections or blemishes which are visible to the naked eye.

Pearls which have not received any type of enhancement are valued more highly than those which have been bleached, dyed, or irradiated.


How to Tell A Fake Pearl from a Real Pearl

The tooth test: As all natural or cultivated pearls have small imperfections on their surface, legend has it that if you rub a pearl across your teeth you can tell a fake pearl from a real pearl by feeling any small ridges or bumps rubbing on your teeth. However, as cultivated pearl techniques have improved, these pearls are nearly as smooth as synthetic pearls.

Light Test: If you a hold a pearl to bright light or sunlight, you should be able to see slight imperfections on the surface of the pearl, the shape, and the color. If you have a pearl which has a perfect surface, shape, and color uniformity it is probably synthetic or has been highly enhanced.

X-ray Test: A synthetic pearl can immediately be differentiated from a real pearl using an x-ray image; this service is available through gem laboratories or certified gemologists for a fee.

Quality of the Setting and Ring: Pearl engagement rings or wedding rings which hold highly valued pearls are usually made out of precious metals such as gold, platinum, or palladium, with a high grade of workmanship.

wedding ring shopping tips


Shopping Tips for Pearl Engagement Rings


There are plenty of high quality pearl engagement rings on the market, but couples still need to shop smart to ensure that they have paid the right price for the right pearl.

Keep in mind that there is no current grade standard for pearls; two widely used pearl grading systems are the A-D system and the AAA – A system, but these systems are often used erroneously and can be misleading. Instead, it is best to concentrate on the factors that are a hallmark of a good pearl: superb luster, shape, surface uniformity, size, and color.

Always research the type of pearl you are buying before completing your purchase so you will know if the seller is being honest with you about where the pearl originated from, which colors the pearls naturally come in, and if the price is competitive. For instance, if you’re looking at a “Natural Akoya Pearl” which is black in color, you will know that Akoya Pearls are cultured saltwater pearls (not natural), and that since black is not a natural color in this type of pearl it has been dyed.

Beware of affordable natural pearl engagement rings. Truly natural pearls are quite rare, and natural pearls which are uniform in color, shape, and of a good size are almost impossible to find unless you deal with a specialized retailer; these types of pearls are highly valued in the tens of thousands of dollars price range.

It doesn't make sense to put a highly valued pearl in a poor quality ring, or a ring which is made of low cost metals such as silver, or low karat gold alloys. Beware of pearl engagement rings crafted with low cost metals which supposedly hold valuable rare pearls.

Never purchase pearl engagement rings or wedding rings without a return policy, and ask an independent jeweler to evaluate the pearl if you are unsure about your purchase.

It is best to purchase pearl engagement rings or pearl wedding rings from sellers which have plenty of experience dealing in these items and who have a verifiable reputation.

If you are interested in pearl and diamond rings, remember to stick with retailers who offer rings which come with diamond certifications from a reputable laboratory such as the GIA, AGS, IGI or EGL.

An antique pearl engagement ring with diamonds should come with an estimate or appraisal plus a certificate of authentication. (Because mounted diamonds cannot go through the certification process - they must be loose - it is common for antique, vintage or estate pearl diamond rings to come with authentication and appraisal certificates instead).

pearl wedding ring

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