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Pearl Education

Education Overview

Pearl Buying Guide

Buying pearls should be a memorable and enjoyable experience! At HinsonGayle, we’ve designed this guide to help our customers make an educated purchase that their loved ones can enjoy for years to come. If you have any further questions, we’d love to help! Feel free to contact us.

Know the Lingo?

  • 99% of pearls on the retail market are identified as “cultured pearls”. This means the  pearls are farm raised. Not found in the wild.
  • All HinsonGayle Akoya, Freshwater, Tahitian, and South Sea pearls are all considered “cultured pearls”
Think of who you are buying for.
  • Think of her style Is she a young girl (think smaller pearls)?
  • More traditional or into current styles?
  • Does she wear lots of jewelry, large jewelry, or small delicate jewelry?

Determine what you're looking for!

  • Are you wanting a simple, versatile piece to go with any outfit?
  • Looking for a statement necklace for a big night out?
  • Pearls come in all shapes, sizes, and price points!
  • By determining person’s individual style, and the look or occasion you wish to purchase for, you’ll be able to find the perfect piece of fine jewelry!

Set a budget.

  • Pearls come in all sizes and price ranges. We pride ourselves in providing the highest quality, yet affordable pearls to our customers. Our fine pearl jewelry comes in three quality collections (Link to the page) and to help you find something in your budget, you can search by price.

Understand the different types of pearls.

  • Pearls are not a “one size fits all” type of jewel. They are unique, custom, and something you should treasure for years to come! There are 4 major types of pearls that come in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and prices.

 

Pearl Buying Guide
Pearl Type Size Range Color Shape
Akoya 5mm-11mm The classic white pearl

Can have overtones of rose, silver, and cream

Can be treated to create a black color
Perfectly round
South Sea 9mm-18mm Ranges from silver to champagne to gold

Dark golden South Sea pearls are considered the most rare and most valuable
Round

Near Round

Baroque
Freshwater 2mm-18mm Colors range from white to pink to lavender

Can also include several dyed options
Round

Near Round

Button

Baroque
Tahitian 9mm-16mm The only pearls that achieve a natural black body color

Range from dark greens to light silver
Round

See the HinsonGayle Pearl Size Comparison Guide below to compare the different sizes of our pearl stud earrings and how they sit on your ear.

Pearl Size Comparison