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PEARL STUD EARRINGS
Where to Buy
Buying Pearl Stud Earrings online or at a jewelry store can be a difficult decision. The pluses of buying them at a jewelry store are that you can try them on, you know what they feel like when you try them on, you can be assured of their color and you can get a better feel for the size that you like. Whereas online you can get some really great prices on pearl stud earrings, with much higher quality and there are many reputable and trustworthy retailers who offer transparent information about their products and do their best to help you over the internet and over the phone. The key to buying online is to know your facts and measurements. You can go to a store to get a better feel for the size you like and the color you like and then come home to get that bargain online.
Set Your Budget
It is dangerous to go about buying pearl earrings without establishing a budget. Establishing a budget will narrow down your search and choices.
Make a Decision on a Type
The most common pearls in pearl stud earrings are Freshwater pearls and Japanese Akoya Pearls. Many outlets also offer Tahitian South Sea pearls, Golden South Sea Pearls and White South Sea Pearls. Certain types are rarer and therefore more valuable. Golden and White South Sea pearls are by far the most expensive. Choose a pearl type that fits your budget and your taste.
Decide on a Color
While just about all pearls match pretty much any outfit, some people prefer the color of certain pearls above others. While Pink freshwater pearls offer a younger, more flirtatious look the Tahitian gray-black pearls are more formal and offer a more mature look. Pearls can range widely in colors but some of the most common include white, green, gold, blue, and black. Pearls often have two different colors though, one is a main color and the other is an overtone. This can give pearls a very unique quality.
Decide on a Size
The pearls used on pearl stud earrings are almost always measured in millimeters. As with most kinds of gemstones the bigger the pearl, the more expensive it usually is. You need to decide if you want them small and subtle or large and radiant. The majority of the pearls on the market fit pretty uniformly into the range of six and a half to seven and a half millimeters. This is where a trip to the store can be helpful so that you can try on different sizes to get the feel and the weight of each size on your ears.
Grading
Make sure you have a general idea about shape, surface flaws and luster. Not all pearls are shaped the same. Some offer more luster while others are rounder and more spherical. Although there is no standardized grading system for pearls, it’s still a good idea to have a grasp on the typical grading techniques and basic characteristics of a pearl. You always want your pearls to have a good texture to them as well as having as few imperfections in them as possible. You won’t find one without imperfections. It is normal to find small irregularities, bumps and spots on pearls, but you should avoid gaps, chips and cracks. The final thing that affects the quality of the pearl is its luster. Luster is used to describe the brilliance of the surface of the pearl. Pearls are made up of a substance produced by the oysters of mollusks called nacre. This is often created because of an irritation such as a grain of sand. The luster of the pearl is decided during this process, so there is nothing that could be done to change it later. You want a pearl that is very reflective of surrounding objects and doesn't have a dull or cloudy color on the surface.
Check Out the Company You are Buying From
Whether online or in a store it always a good idea to find out if you are buying from a reputable retailer. Read some review and check out their profile. If you are buying from an online retailer look at the way their site is laid out. Make sure it is not transparent or sketchy. Also check the store return policy and payment plans. Engage their customer service through online chatting or a phone call. Feel good about the store you buy from.
Have fun buying pearl stud earrings and happy hunting!