Pearl Earrings 101
According to some sources, earrings can trace their humble beginnings to Western Asia , circa 3000 B.C. From the beginning, there were two main types of earrings: The simple hoop and the more elaborate pendant style. The oldest earrings unearthed by archaeologists date to about 2,500 B.C. and were discovered in what is modern-day Iraq at the royal graves of Ur.
But that's all ancient history (literally). We're we more curious about modern-day earrings, and more specifically, pearl earrings. So, we went straight to the expert: The Pearl Hunter, Terry Shepherd, founder and owner of The Pearl Outlet. Armed with a host of questions, we were given a fascinating glimpse into the world of pearl earrings.
Q: Terry, thanks for sitting down with us today and answering our pearl earring questions!
Terry: No problem--it's my pleasure!
Q: Terry, what are the main concerns of people who are buying pearl earrings?
Terry: Quality. Both the quality of the pearls as well as the quality of the setting are concerns of people purchasing pearl earrings. With regard to the setting, too small of a back on a stud earring will not hold the pearl tightly to the ear and will also have a tendency to slide off.
Q: What considerations should come first when shopping for a nice pair of earrings?
Terry: Make sure the pearls are full-round pearls. Cheap pearls will be "shaved" flat on the back to remove blemishes, but this affects the pearl's durability as well as its value. At The Pearl Outlet, we do not sell "shaved" pearls.
Second, be sure that the friction backs on stud earrings are well matched to the size of the pearl. A larger pearl requires a larger friction back to hold it tightly.
Third, be familiar with pearl quality. A pearl earring should rarely have any blemishes, regardless of the quality. There's only one pearl (or a few on some styles) on an earring. It is easy for a company to choose an unblemished pearl for their earrings, but not all companies do.
Finally, choose a pair with high luster. The luster of a pearl is what makes it beautiful. Visit The Pearl Outlet for more information on how to determine luster and quality.
Q: What size of pearls is best for earrings?
Terry: This depends on the person, the type of pearl, and the design. Some women don't like a heavy earring, thus a 6mm pearl stud is perfect. Others want something that will draw everyone's attention. A pair of 15mm drop South Sea pearl earrings will have every eye of every person in every situation.
Q: What are the most popular types of pearls used for earrings?
Terry: Akoya pearls are the most popular type of pearl used for earrings. A simple Akoya stud pearl earring out-sells all other types of high-quality pearl earrings nearly 2 to 1. However, drop pearl earrings are quickly gaining in popularity.
Q: What price range can someone expect to pay for a nice set of earrings?
Terry: Of course, at The Pearl Outlet, your going to pay a lot less for a high quality pearl earring than you are at your local retailer. We sell beautiful 3-pearl freshwater drop pearls for only $27 and simple Akoya stud earrings for as little as $25 with a simple 6mm stud. For larger
pearls, we sell 11.5mm black Tahitian pearls with diamonds for $615.
Q: What type of clasps, posts, and other hardware do you use on the earrings you sell?
Terry: We only use highest quality 14k and 18k gold settings for our Akoya, Tahitian, and South Sea pearls. For some of our freshwater pearls, we use silver settings--as noted in product descriptions--to make them even more affordable.
Q: How do the pearl earrings available at The Pearl Outlet differ from those found in jewelry stores?
Terry: As with all of our products, quality and price are our biggest differentiators. You're going to find a higher quality product at a better price, period.
Q: Do customers ever request black pearls for earrings?
Terry: Absolutely. Tahitian pearls are the most popular black pearls and start at 8mm in size and are available in sizes up to 16mm. We also sell freshwater and Akoya black pearl earrings. For more unique styles, we often pair black and white pearls together.
Q: Are there any other considerations when it comes to purchasing pearl earrings?
Terry: I haven't covered pearl types as much as I should have...if you're looking for a fashionable, inexpensive piece, choose freshwater pearls, or small Akoya pearls. If you're looking for a more traditional item, a 7.5mm Akoya pearl stud pair are perfect. For flair and flamboyance, a pair black Tahitian pearls, golden South Sea pearls, or white South Sea pearls will certainly fit the bill, though they're a bit more expensive.
----
Terry also mentioned that he helps to maintain a "Pearl Guide" website of particular interest and use for pearl buyers. You'll also find a forum on the Pearl Guide site that enables you to discuss issues relating to pearls.
But that's all ancient history (literally). We're we more curious about modern-day earrings, and more specifically, pearl earrings. So, we went straight to the expert: The Pearl Hunter, Terry Shepherd, founder and owner of The Pearl Outlet. Armed with a host of questions, we were given a fascinating glimpse into the world of pearl earrings.
Q: Terry, thanks for sitting down with us today and answering our pearl earring questions!
Terry: No problem--it's my pleasure!
Q: Terry, what are the main concerns of people who are buying pearl earrings?
Terry: Quality. Both the quality of the pearls as well as the quality of the setting are concerns of people purchasing pearl earrings. With regard to the setting, too small of a back on a stud earring will not hold the pearl tightly to the ear and will also have a tendency to slide off.
Q: What considerations should come first when shopping for a nice pair of earrings?
Terry: Make sure the pearls are full-round pearls. Cheap pearls will be "shaved" flat on the back to remove blemishes, but this affects the pearl's durability as well as its value. At The Pearl Outlet, we do not sell "shaved" pearls.
Second, be sure that the friction backs on stud earrings are well matched to the size of the pearl. A larger pearl requires a larger friction back to hold it tightly.
Third, be familiar with pearl quality. A pearl earring should rarely have any blemishes, regardless of the quality. There's only one pearl (or a few on some styles) on an earring. It is easy for a company to choose an unblemished pearl for their earrings, but not all companies do.
Finally, choose a pair with high luster. The luster of a pearl is what makes it beautiful. Visit The Pearl Outlet for more information on how to determine luster and quality.
Q: What size of pearls is best for earrings?
Terry: This depends on the person, the type of pearl, and the design. Some women don't like a heavy earring, thus a 6mm pearl stud is perfect. Others want something that will draw everyone's attention. A pair of 15mm drop South Sea pearl earrings will have every eye of every person in every situation.
Q: What are the most popular types of pearls used for earrings?
Terry: Akoya pearls are the most popular type of pearl used for earrings. A simple Akoya stud pearl earring out-sells all other types of high-quality pearl earrings nearly 2 to 1. However, drop pearl earrings are quickly gaining in popularity.
Q: What price range can someone expect to pay for a nice set of earrings?
Terry: Of course, at The Pearl Outlet, your going to pay a lot less for a high quality pearl earring than you are at your local retailer. We sell beautiful 3-pearl freshwater drop pearls for only $27 and simple Akoya stud earrings for as little as $25 with a simple 6mm stud. For larger
pearls, we sell 11.5mm black Tahitian pearls with diamonds for $615.
Q: What type of clasps, posts, and other hardware do you use on the earrings you sell?
Terry: We only use highest quality 14k and 18k gold settings for our Akoya, Tahitian, and South Sea pearls. For some of our freshwater pearls, we use silver settings--as noted in product descriptions--to make them even more affordable.
Q: How do the pearl earrings available at The Pearl Outlet differ from those found in jewelry stores?
Terry: As with all of our products, quality and price are our biggest differentiators. You're going to find a higher quality product at a better price, period.
Q: Do customers ever request black pearls for earrings?
Terry: Absolutely. Tahitian pearls are the most popular black pearls and start at 8mm in size and are available in sizes up to 16mm. We also sell freshwater and Akoya black pearl earrings. For more unique styles, we often pair black and white pearls together.
Q: Are there any other considerations when it comes to purchasing pearl earrings?
Terry: I haven't covered pearl types as much as I should have...if you're looking for a fashionable, inexpensive piece, choose freshwater pearls, or small Akoya pearls. If you're looking for a more traditional item, a 7.5mm Akoya pearl stud pair are perfect. For flair and flamboyance, a pair black Tahitian pearls, golden South Sea pearls, or white South Sea pearls will certainly fit the bill, though they're a bit more expensive.
----
Terry also mentioned that he helps to maintain a "Pearl Guide" website of particular interest and use for pearl buyers. You'll also find a forum on the Pearl Guide site that enables you to discuss issues relating to pearls.
posted by Greg at 2:47 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home