There's no single "most beautiful" pearl, as beauty is subjective, but Australian South Sea Pearls are globally revered for their exceptional luster, large size, thick nacre, and satiny finish, making them highly prized. Other contenders for legendary beauty include the historic La Peregrina (a famous natural pearl) and exceptional specimens like the large Big Pink Pearl, but South Sea pearls consistently top lists for natural, cultivated beauty.
Often called the “Queen of Pearls”, South Sea pearls feature a gorgeous palette of natural Golden and White colors that shimmer with delicate overtones and are simply unmistakable. A fine strand of South Sea pearls is the ultimate in luxury!
Best Pearls in the World: Our Top-Quality Picks
Akoya pearls from Japan are often considered the epitome of classic elegance, and are famous for their mirror-like luster, perfectly round shape and even matching.
Mikimoto grades their pearls: A, A+, AA and AAA Quality, which is their highest/best pearl grade. Their AAA Quality Akoya are so rare, and so expensive, that there are only one or two strands produced each year.
The best pearls in Australia are the highly prized Australian South Sea Pearls, known for their large size, thick nacre, and magnificent luster, cultured from the rare Pinctada maxima oyster in the pristine waters of Western Australia, with top producers including brands like Kailis Jewellery, Paspaley, Pearls of Australia, and Willie Creek Pearls. These pearls are considered among the finest globally, with some farms also producing unique Akoya and Keshi pearls, offering exceptional quality and environmental benefits.
The most expensive pearl colors are often deep, rich hues like Golden South Sea (especially 24k deep gold), rare Peacock Tahitian (dark green/blue/purple overtones), and intensely pink or pink-overtoned White South Sea pearls, with value heavily depending on rarity, luster, size, and lack of blemishes, rather than just the base color itself. While white and black are common, specific, saturated, and rare overtones within these categories command the highest prices.
Certified Hanadama Akoya pearls are the finest Akoya pearls available; there is no grade above Hanadama, and there are no “levels” within the Hanadama grade. They are all top-notch. Mikimoto, by contrast, offers four different grades of Akoya pearls, with A being the lowest and AAA being the best.
She accessorized with Queen Elizabeth's Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings, which Kate frequently wears—most recently during the Qatar State Visit and on Remembrance Sunday.
It was Jackie Kennedy who said 'pearls are always appropriate,' meaning that they suit all occasions and all outfits. Indeed pearls are still worn by many brides on their wedding days and feature in most jewellers' windows today.
The grade of Tiffany pearls varies from piece to piece. Generally, the celebrated fine jewelry house uses high-quality pearls with an AAA rating or better. You can find bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings and brooches featuring Akoya, freshwater and Tahitian pearls in the brand's collection.
Natural Black pearls (uncultivated) are extremely rare and are found in about 1 in every 10,000 oysters. In an effort to preserve the species, it is illegal to dive to find natural pearls.
At Costco, we take pride in the fact that our pearl jewelry meets the industry's highest quality standards. Our process ensures our pearls have good luster, shape, color and no obvious blemishes, and that the size of the pearls match where applicable.
Pearls are making waves again in the fashion world, and 2025 is shaping up to be their boldest year yet. If you're curious about the latest pearl jewelry trends 2025, this guide will help you navigate the season's must-haves and the styles to leave behind.
Recommended Pairings: The Silver overtone is really versatile, and looks beautiful with both white gold and yellow gold accents. White gold will generally enhance the pearl's “cool” undertones, helping them appear brighter and whiter. Yellow gold creates a nice, elegant contrast – a very classic pearl look.
Hyderabad is considered the main pearl trading centre in India, because of which the city is also known as the "City of Pearls".
People with strong or negative Mars, Saturn, or Rahu in their horoscope should avoid wearing pearls. Pearl also doesn't go well with gemstones like Gomed (Hessonite), Lehsunia (Cat's Eye), or Neelam (Blue Sapphire). If you're unsure, always get your horoscope checked before wearing a pearl stone.
The last time the choker was publicly seen was when the princess attended the Met Gala in New York in December 1996. It has not been seen or exhibited since, and now belongs to Prince William and Prince Harry.
“A woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls.” - Coco Chanel.
Yes, Prince William and Kate Middleton sleep in the same bed, often with their dog Orla, a revelation Prince William shared, highlighting a more modern, relatable approach to royal life compared to past generations who sometimes used separate beds for status or privacy. While they have separate bedrooms for some downtime and might use separate beds when traveling on the royal train due to its layout, their usual arrangement at home is together, with their dog as a regular bedfellow.
She revealed that the most likely answer is that the shade of orange doesn't suit Princess Kate: "I think the answer lies in DNA and Kate's awareness of how certain colours [are] less flattering compared to other colours."
Australian South Sea Pearls are undoubtedly some of the rarest and most beautiful pearls in the world. These pearls achieve crème-de-la-crème status thanks to their unmatched luster, thick nacre, rich color variety, and size.
Genuine Akoya pearls, including cultured pearls, may have irregular textures on the surface. They also have a luster with multiple tones and clean drill holes. Real Akoya pearls tend to be denser than fake pearls, making real Akoya jewelry heavier than inauthentic pieces.
From a value standpoint, Akoya pearls are often seen as the gold standard for traditional pearl necklaces and earrings. Their timeless appeal and consistent quality make them an ideal choice for fine jewelry. Many buyers feel that the premium price is justified by the elegance and durability of these pearls.