How Much Does a Pearl Necklace Cost?
The pearl is said to represent purity, harmony, and humility, and wearing pearls can often be a sign of prestige.
Traditionally, pearls are woven into the silk threads in the necklace, but a jewelry wire can also be used to make the piece stronger and less likely to break.
The cost of a pearl necklace will depend on the type of pearl, the designer and jewelry store.
How much does a real pearl necklace cost?
All pearls you find at a local jeweler will be referred to as cultured pearls unless otherwise noted at natural pearls, and these cultured pearls can include the Akoya, Freshwater, South Sea and Tahitian pearls. Depending on the exact type of pearl and its size and quality, the cost of a pearl necklace can range from as little as $10 to as much as $35,000+. To help break down the exact costs of these pearls, let’s dig deeper and explain what exactly affects the price tag in our table below:
Type of Pearl | Average Size Range | Description | Average Price |
---|---|---|---|
Akoya | 5mm - 11mm | The original classic white pearl you're probably accustomed to seeing when you think of a pearl. Has a silver and cream-like overtone and is perfectly round in shape. | $75 to $3,000 |
Freshwater | 2mm - 18mm | With a wide range of colors, freshwater pearls range from pink to lavender, as well as a myriad of combinations. This pearl will either be round or near round in shape. | $50 to $1,000 |
South Sea | 9mm - 18mm | Ranges from a silver to golden tone in an almost nearly round shape. These pearls are highly prized due to its rarity and are often considered the Rolls Royce of the pearl types. | $1,000 to $50,000+ |
Tahitian | 9mm - 16mm | The only pearl able to appear black naturally, but it can also range from a dark green to silver. This pearl will also either be round or near round in shape. | $500 to $15,000 |
PearlParadise.com says pearl prices can range from less than $1 to more than $100,000, depending on the size, quality, luster, color, shape and type.
At Costco, the prices range from as little as $100 for a 100-inch cultured pearl necklace to as much $32,000 for a 16.5 mm South Sea 18-carat yellow gold strand.
Factors affecting the price
Color
A pearl, when thought of, should be white or off-white in color; however, cream, pink, silver, yellow and black are also popular colors found on the market. Pearls can also come in a combination of hues, which can often be seen when the light reflects off of it. In general, pearls with a clear and shape overtone will be the highest in demand.
Luster
The luster, related to the surface in a way, will negatively affect the price and pearl’s quality if the luster is low. A high-quality luster should be similar to a mirror in appearance, almost shining and “popping” out when worn.
Shape
When dealing with cultured pearls found either online or at a local jeweler, the shape can determine the overall value of the pearl. Round pearls will always command a higher price tag when compared to an off-round or baroque pearl shape.
Size
The size, probably the most important factor, matters with pricing. Like other pieces of jewelry, the larger the pearl is, the higher the price can be, just like a diamond on a wedding ring. Freshwater pearls can range from 2.0 to 12.0 mm, while a South Sea pearl can reach up to 20 mm in size.
Surface
The surface of the pearl is yet another pricing factor to pay close attention to. The cleaner the pearl’s surface is, the better it can be in terms of quality. Even though there will always be some sort of imperfection, the cost won’t be affected as long as it’s not noticeable when worn.
Type
As seen in the table, the four major types can greatly affect the price. An Akoya pearl can cost much more than a freshwater pearl that’s identical in shape and size. The reason? One mussel in a lake can produce as many as 40 freshwater pearls during one season, while an oyster in the sea only produces one to two pearls at a time, according to eBay.
What are the extra costs?
A pearl necklace, in the future, may need to be restrung in the future. To restring, a professional often charges $25 to $75, depending on the size of the necklace.
Tips to know
If purchasing online or in person, always refer to the return policy to ensure you’re dealing with a reputable organization. A good company will always back their product up with a good return policy if the pearl doesn’t show up as planned.
Want to know if a pearl is real or fake? Simply rub it along your front teeth. If it feels gritty, it’s real; if it feels smooth, then there’s a good chance it’s fake.
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