Round Pearl
Tiny Treasures of Elegance
Perfectly Round pearls are the rarest and most valuable shape there is! Pearl producing mollusks are usually nucleated with spherical bead nuclei (in the hopes that the resulting pearl will be a perfect Round). This round nucleus is inserted into the host mollusk, which then encircles it with a pearl sac.
Origin of Rice Pearls
In countless cultures around the world, the pearl has its own origin myth. Arabs believed these gems were the result of the tears of the gods, fallen into the ocean and making their way into the oysters. The Greeks believed that the goddess of love, Aphrodite, shed pearls for tears.
The History and Origins of the pearl could fill many volumes, but we’ve condensed this article to the most important facts to know about this marvelous gemstone. Read the whole article, or use the linked Table of Contents below to skip directly to the points that interest you most.
Even the Gates of Heaven were described as carved out of pearl in the Bible. Krishna, the Hindu god gave his beloved wife pearls when they were wed.
Use of Round Pearl
Round Pearl find their way into various forms of jewelry and decorative items. Here are some popular uses:
Necklaces
A traditional option for people looking for a delicate and exquisite aesthetic is round pearl necklaces. For a stylish look, you can layer them with other necklaces or wear them alone.
Earrings
Round pearls make stunning earrings, whether as simple studs or dangling designs. Their size and shape allow for intricate and graceful arrangements.
Bracelets
These pearls can be strung together to create charming bracelets that add a touch of sophistication to any ensemble.
Bridal Jewelry
Round pearls are a favorite choice for bridal jewelry, symbolizing purity and love. Brides often wear pearl necklaces, earrings, or bracelets on their special day.
Home Decor
Beyond jewelry, round pearls can be used in crafting, such as embellishing clothing or creating decorative items like curtains, table runners, and lampshades.
How Does Shape Affect Its Value
Shape is one of the more important Value Factors that jewelers use to grade and value pearls.
The gold standard when it comes to pearl’s shapes is of course perfectly Round. It is the rarest and the most valuable in addition to the most “classic” shape for most pearl shoppers.
But beyond Round, what you are looking for in a nice-looking pearl shape are characteristics like smooth, symmetrical shapes. For this reason, smooth Drop Shaped pearls are the next most valuable pearl shape. Baroque pearls are generally considered the least valuable pearl shapes, but quite often Baroques are highly collectible due to their unique nature.
Perfectly Round Pearls
- Perfectly round and symmetrical.
- Most valuable of all pearl shapes.
- Perfectly Round pearls account for just 5-10% of each pearl harvest.
- All pearl types are capable of producing perfectly Round pearls.
- Perfectly Round pearls that can roll smoothly in all directions are called “Eight Way Rollers”.
- Akoya pearls are most known for their perfect Round shapes.