The Pearl Jewelry Guide: Choosing, Wearing & Care

Pearl, at a glance.

Choose with the whole piece in mind.

Follow the luster.

Notice how clearly and brightly light reflects from the pearl. Ask for close views in ordinary light.

Enjoy the shape.

Round, drop, coin and baroque shapes create very different moods. Pick a silhouette you enjoy.

Know your pearls.

Ask about natural or cultured status, pearl type and any known color treatment. Do not assume a white pearl is untreated.

Check the finishing details.

Look at the clasp, stringing, earring backs and setting. For a strand, length matters as much as pearl size.

Identity, treatment and documentation.

A cultured pearl forms in a mollusk with human assistance; it is not the same as an imitation pearl. Some pearls are bleached, dyed or otherwise treated. Ask about pearl type, treatment and the condition of the stringing or setting.

Ask what is known, what remains unconfirmed, and whether the information is supported by documentation. An independent gemological report can help address identification and detectable treatments. It is different from an appraisal and does not promise a resale value.

Bring these questions to the conversation.

1. What is known about the material, its origin as natural or laboratory-grown where applicable, and any treatments?
2. What are the exact dimensions, and does any stated weight describe one stone or the total?
3. What is the metal, and what is known about the age and condition of the piece?
4. Can I see additional photos or a video in ordinary lighting?
5. What fit, fastening, stringing or resizing details should I consider?
6. What documentation is available for this exact item, and which purchase policies apply?

Include the item number when you contact us. Details from one piece should not be assumed to apply to another.

Care for the entire piece.

Wipe pearls with a soft damp cloth after wear. Put them on after perfume, hairspray and cosmetics. Avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaners. Keep strands away from prolonged soaking and let damp stringing dry fully before wearing; store separately from harder jewelry.

The most delicate material, treatment or construction detail may determine the right method. A gemstone’s scratch hardness does not mean the setting is safe from damage. Check clasps, stringing and prongs regularly, and stop wearing a piece if a stone is loose or a fastening is unreliable.

Make it part of your own style.

Dress down the classic.

A pearl pendant with a white tee, linen shirt or denim makes a familiar jewel feel easy.

Light near the face.

Pearl earrings soften a sharp neckline and bring a little luster to evening dressing.

Your own kind of strand.

Let a pearl necklace sit on its own, or ask about lengths that work beside a simple chain.

June’s birthstone. A glow to give.

A June birthday, a wedding day, or a moment worth remembering: choose pearls for the person, rather than saving them for an occasion.

The meanings associated with gemstones belong to cultural traditions and personal interpretation. They are not established medical benefits or guarantees of protection, luck or financial results.

Make a plan for the piece you love.

David’s offers layaway with a 20% non-refundable deposit, no interest and up to 12 months to pay. Read the full layaway policy and watch the video for payment, clearance and inactivity conditions before starting.