Pearl Shapes

Pearl Shapes: Exploring the Diverse Forms of Pearls and Their Unique Characteristics

Pearls come in an incredible array of shapes, each with its unique charm and appeal. From perfectly round pearls to the more organic and free-form baroque pearls, the diverse forms of pearls offer endless possibilities for creating distinctive and captivating jewelry. In this guide, we will explore the various pearl shapes and their unique characteristics.

1. Round Pearls

Round pearls are the most sought-after shape due to their classic and symmetrical appearance. These pearls are highly valued for their rarity and timeless elegance. Round pearls are often used in traditional pearl jewelry, such as strand necklaces, stud earrings, and solitaire pendants.

2. Near-Round Pearls

Near-round pearls, also known as semi-round or off-round pearls, closely resemble round pearls but are not perfectly spherical. These pearls offer a similar look to round pearls but are generally more affordable due to their slightly irregular shape. Near-round pearls are a popular choice for a wide range of jewelry designs.

3. Oval Pearls

Oval pearls have an elongated, oval shape and can vary in their degree of roundness. These pearls are a versatile choice for various jewelry designs, including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. The unique shape of oval pearls adds an interesting dimension to any piece of jewelry.

4. Button Pearls

Button pearls are flattened on one side, giving them a button-like appearance. These pearls are often used in earrings, pendants, and rings, as their flat side allows for a comfortable fit against the skin. Button pearls provide a unique alternative to round pearls while maintaining a similar classic look.

5. Drop Pearls

Drop pearls, also known as teardrop pearls, have an elongated shape with a rounded bottom and taper towards the top. These pearls are a popular choice for pendants and earrings due to their elegant and graceful form. Drop pearls can add a touch of sophistication to any jewelry design.

6. Baroque Pearls

Baroque pearls are characterized by their irregular, non-symmetrical shapes. These pearls can come in various forms, from slightly off-round to dramatically asymmetrical. Baroque pearls are highly valued for their uniqueness, as no two pearls are alike. Their organic and free-form nature lends itself to creating one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces with an artistic flair.

7. Keshi Pearls

Keshi pearls are a unique type of pearl that forms as a byproduct of the pearl cultivation process. These pearls are typically small and can come in a wide range of irregular shapes. Keshi pearls are known for their high luster and are often used in jewelry designs that showcase their distinctive forms and exceptional shine.

How Pearls Get Their Shapes

Pearl shapes are affected by different factors. Every pearl farmer aims to create perfectly round pearls. However, getting a perfect round shape is not always that easy. In fact, this is one of the most difficult challenges, which makes perfectly round pearls rare and most valuable.

The entire process of pearl production affects the final shape outcome. Usually, pearl-producing mollusks are nucleated using bead nucleito achieve perfectly round shape. The round nucleus is then inserted into the host mollusk and encircled with a pearl sac. The pearl sac is expected to take the round shape of the bead nuclei, but variations or irregularities within the mollusk determine the final shape outcome.

The mollusk secretes nacre that coats the bead nucleus inside as the pearl starts to take shape. During the process, the muscles of the mollusk’s body roll the nucleus gently around with the pearl inside slowly forming into shape. Any interruptions or disruptions that happen during this layering process cause variations in the nacre. As a result, the nacre gets stacked on top that causing a different shape. This can be due to sudden changes in the environment and temperature or the presence of irritants.

How Pearl Shape Affects its Value

The shape of a pearl is one of the most important factors used by jewelers to value and grade pearls. Based on the shape, pearl can be graded as most or least valuable:

• Perfectly Round Pearl: This is the gold standard in pearl grading. It is the rarest pearl most valuable, and most classic amongst pearl shoppers.
• Smooth Drop Shaped Pearls: When you can’t get a perfectly round pearl, you will be interested in a nice-looking pearl shape. The smooth drop and symmetrical pearl shapes are considered the next most valuable.
• Baroque Pearls: These are considered the least valuable, and are highly collectible because of their unique nature.

To get a better understanding, let’s have a detailed overview of the differences among the most common shapes and what to consider before purchasing a pearl piece:

Perfectly Round Pearls

• Most valuable of all pearl shapes.
• Perfectly round and symmetrical.
• Account for just 5-10% of a pearl harvest.
• “Eight Way Rollers” are perfectly Round pearls that roll smoothly in all directions are
• All pearl types can produce perfectly Round pearls.
• Akoya pearls are the most popular perfectly round pearls.

Near-Round Pearl Shapes

• Near round peals appear “Round to the eye.” However, they have subtle variances that can be seen with careful inspection, making them have a “wobble”.
• The Near-Round shape makes the pearls “spherical” and attracts higher pricing tiers compared to other pearl shapes.
• Still offer excellent savings opportunities because they give the appearance of a perfectly round shape but without the premium pricing of the perfectly round pearls.
• You can get the best deals for near-round peals from Tahitian pearl necklaces or South Sea pearls.

Button Pearl Shapes

• Button pearls come with flattened bottoms and sometimes tops that resemble small domes.
• Button-shaped pearl necklaces will have slightly squished-looking rounded pearls.
• The flat bottoms of button pearls are very comfortable to wear, making them an excellent choice for pearl earrings.
• The most common button pearls are Freshwater pearls, but they can also be found in other pearl types.

Drop Shaped Pearls

• 2nd most popular pearl shape to buy after the perfect round one.
• Represent about 15-20% of a pearl harvest.
• Perfectly symmetrical in form.
• Found in classic Tear-Drop shapes and Oval to Barrel
• Pearls that are perfectly matched and with large Drop-Shape pairs for earrings attract top prices due to rarity.

Baroque Shapes

• One of the most prevalent pearl shapes in the market
• Accounts for about 40-50% of a pearl harvest.
• Symmetrical or totally free-form pearls
• Baroque pearls are defined by a variety of shapes, including unique and uneven forms that can resemble barrels, tops, off-rounds, drops, and more.
• Baroque pearls can be circled with deep or shallow rings that run around the circumference of the pearl.
• Least expensive pearl shape to purchaseand you can save up to 50-80% of the premium round pearl necklaces of the same pearl type.

Circled Baroque Pearls

• Type of Baroque pearls that feature one or more circles on them, which makes them heavily circled.
• Usually feature high concentrations of color banding and luster.
• Tiffany’sfirst promoted Circled pearls in the 1970s as “Circles of Love” as Tahitian pearl producers were looking for a way to create a desire for these unusual pearls.
• Since they are classified as part of the Baroque pearl shape, Circled baroque also accounts for 40-50% of a pearl harvest.
• Can be found in Freshwater pearl type and South Sea.

So, How Do You Choose the Right Peal Shape

Most people choose the right pearl shape based on their intuition. It’s just a case of, “I like this one, so I am going to take it.” However, you can use these few pointers to make sure you are on the right track:

• You are strict to get the Classic Look – Choose the perfectly round pearls/. Consider Akoya pearls, Round South Sea, Gem Grade Freshwater Pears, and Round Tahitian pearl necklaces.
• You like the High-end Look, but not the Price: The near-round or the button-shape strands would be a perfect choice.
• You want something unique with a taste of romantic, chic aesthetic: Drop-shaped pearl necklaces will work well. You get to indulge in high-end South Sea or Tahitian peals without dealing with the premium price of a perfectly round pearl.
• You want something totally one of a kind and you have the staples: Baroque will be an excellent choice. Your options are endless, from classically Baroque shapes to circles pears, or free form baroque.

In Conclusion

The diverse shapes of pearls offer endless opportunities for creating unique and captivating jewelry. By understanding the various pearl shapes and their unique characteristics, you can choose the perfect pearl to match your style and preferences. Whether you're drawn to the timeless elegance of round pearls or the organic beauty of baroque pearls, the right shape can make your pearl jewelry truly special and personal.