Pearl is one of the most beautiful and most popular gems throughout history. Despite the huge surge in diamond popularity in the 20th century, the necklace of Japanese Akoya cultured pearls remains the single most requested piece of jewelry worldwide. It is also one of the most complex. Necklaces of large, top quality South Sea cultured pearls sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars, while strands of fashionable Chinese freshwater cultured pearls are available from $20 to $500, allowing all customers the world over to enjoy this fabulous gem.
Unlike diamond and most colored gemstones, EVERY FEATURE OF PEARL CAN BE SEEN WITH THE NAKED EYE. What is beautiful about the pearl is visible. What is not fine is also visible. NOTHING IS HIDDEN. Therefore, this is the gem where you should purchase as fine a quality as your budget allows, concentrating on nacre thickness and luster first, followed by other quality characteristics.