The Standard mm Size for a Strand of Pearls is 5-6mm. It's a nice in between size that can be worn daily and doesn't appear too Big or too Gaudy. A 5mm Pearl is pretty much the same size as the top of a Push Pin. 6mm is usually the size of a Large Paperclip.
We consider Small pearls the 5mm size. We use these for our Little Girl jewelry although this size is great for women who prefer petite jewelry.
The most common and popular Freshwater pearl sizes found today range from 6.0-7.0mm up through 10.0-11.0mm. Exotic black Tahitian pearls are naturally larger-sized pearls, ranging from 8.0-9.0mm up to 15.0-16.0mm and larger. The most common and popular size range is from 9.0-10.0mm up through 13.0mm.
Freshwater pearls, with their silky luster and beautiful pastel colors, come in a range of sizes too, from 2 mm and all the way to 12 mm. Very large Freshwater pearls such as Edison and Soufflé may come in large sizes such as 15 mm or even bigger. Thus, both Freshwater pearl types offer great variety in pearl sizes.
Freshwater pearls range in size from as small as 5mm to as large as 13mm. Pearls below 7mm in size are considered to be on the smaller side, while 7-8mm and 8-9mm are among the more popular sizes selected for necklaces in Freshwater pearls.
7.0 to 7.5 mm freshwater pearls are the size of a baby aspirin and are the pearls that are typically used for single strand necklaces commonly seen in graduation and sorority photos.
Pearls in the 5.5 – 6.5 mm range are worn by young women between the ages of five and 16. 7.0 – 7.5 mm pearls are worn by women who are 30 and above. Pearls in the 8.0 – 8.5 category are traditionally worn by women age 35 and above.
The smallest pearls are called seed pearls, which can be as tiny as 1 millimetre in diameter, whilst the largest pearls commercially available can reach 2 centimetre in diameter and are produced in large South Sea oysters.
The Standard mm Size for a Strand of Pearls is 5-6mm. It's a nice in between size that can be worn daily and doesn't appear too Big or too Gaudy. A 5mm Pearl is pretty much the same size as the top of a Push Pin. 6mm is usually the size of a Large Paperclip.
The most common length for pearl necklaces, it is well suited for wear with crew and high necklines. It also complements low, plunging necklines. Because 18 inches is considered the classic length for pearl necklaces. This is an excellent choice if you are not certain which strand length is most appropriate.
It's often recommended that younger women go for smaller pearls, while older women choose ones on the larger end. Yet it's really more to do with style. Smaller pearls convey a more feminine, understated and girlish look, while larger pearls are highly glamorous and perfect for people who want to command attention.
10 - 11 mm pearls are the size of a Tylenol tablet and a common size for a freshwater pearl necklace as a single or multi strand necklace, often combined with gems creating a statement necklace. Pearl necklaces at this size priced ~ $2K and under are typically freshwater pearls.
The most popular size of Akoya pearl is 7-7.5 mm. A very close second is 8-8.5 mm. Freshwater pearl necklaces measuring 7.5-8 mm reign supreme. The second most popular is 8.5-9 mm.
Pearl Size
Tiny seed pearls can be smaller than 1mm, while South Sea pearls, as large as 20mm, have been found. If all other quality factors are equal, the size of a pearl will determine its value.
The Southsea pearl is the most luxurious and sought-after pearl. Cultivated within the large White-lipped oyster and the Gold-lipped oyster, the pearls are both the largest and most lustrous in natural shades of white, silver, champagne and gold.
Size: When other value factors are equal, larger pearls are rarer and more valuable than smaller pearls of the same type.
Akoya Pearl Value
They were the first pearls ever to be farmed, and are a little bit smaller. A strand of Akoya pearls can cost from $300 to more than $10,000. Generally, these are the smallest type of cultured pearl on the market.
Because mother of pearl is much less rare than pearl gemstones, it does not hold value as well. Considering that there is a much larger supply of mother of pearl, it's easy to understand why it is so affordable. While pearl jewelry will retain its value forever, this isn't necessarily true for mother of pearl jewelry.
Freshwater pearls range in size from as small as 5mm to as large as 13mm. Pearls below 7mm in size are considered to be on the smaller side, while 7-8mm and 8-9mm are among the more popular sizes selected for necklaces in Freshwater pearls.
Pearl Quality Factors
The combination of surface brilliance and a deep-seated glow, the luster of a good-quality cultured pearl should be bright, not dull. Your reflection should be seen clearly on the surface of a cultured pearl. Any pearl that looks too chalky or dull indicates low quality.
The lip determines the pearl color. While the white pearls are also priced by jewelers, the gold pearl variety is the most coveted color. The gold South sea pearl's color can range from creamy white to deep gold, and the darker the color, the more expensive it becomes.