Pearl Strands
Frequently Asked Question
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What are Pearl Strands?
Pearl Strands can best be defined as a piece of jewelry made by stringing together multiple Pearls onto a strand, typically made of silk, nylon, or other durable materials. Each Pearl stands out for its distinctive length and beauty.
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How many Pearls is a strand?
The length of the strand, size of the Pearls, and design preference ultimately dictates the number of Pearls to be used in a strand. Let’s break down the approximate number of Pearls that you’re likely to witness in a strand of different lengths :
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Choker length (16 inches): 45 to 50 Pearls
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Princess length (18 inches): 50 to 60 Pearls
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Matinee length (20-24 inches): 60 to 70 Pearls
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Opera length (30-36 inches): 80 to 100 Pearls
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Rope length (over 35 inches): Over 100 Pearls
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How long should a strand of Pearls be?
Though the ultimate choice of length boils down to your personal preference and the kind of look you desire, but the widely preferred one is 18 inches since it complements all kinds of necklines. Besides that, here’s the breakdown of the variety of lengths a Pearl strands comes in:
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Choker Necklace- 14 to 16 inches
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Princess Necklace- 17 to 19 inches
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Matinee Necklace- 22 to 24 inches
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Opera Necklace- 30 to 36 inches
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Rope Necklace- longer than 35 inches
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How can you tell if a strand of Pearls is real?
First things first, see to it that the Pearl strand has been certified for its authenticity and quality. Besides that, here are a number of tried and trusted measures to dictate the genuineness of Pearls:
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Owing to their natural formation, Real Pearls tend to be a little imperfect (i.e., inclusive of small blemishes, irregularities). However, their synthetic counterparts are way too perfect to be real. So, that should help tell whether the Pearl is authentic or not.
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Pearls stand out for their bright and sharp luster (except the low-quality ones). In fact, you might even see your own reflection on the surface of the Pearl. If your Pearl Strand doesn’t boast that kind of reflection, it might as well be a fake one.
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Pearls draw more attention for possessing a slight overtone effect (usually of silver, cream, rose, and ivory color). And that to no surprise, is near impossible for a synthetic Pearl to imitate. So, looking for an overtone when light hits your Pearl might tell you about its authenticity.
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Last but not the least, in order to allow the string in a Strand to pass through, the Pearls are drilled with holes. Now here’s the important part: Real Pearls, more often than not, possess drill holes that boast sharp edges (the only exception being old and worn-out Pearls). That is not the case with their synthetic counterparts which usually possess rounded edges. Besides that, if the coating across the holes begins to wear out with time, it is a major sign that your Pearl is a fake one .
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How do I choose the right length for a Pearl Strand?
While the final choice of length for a Pearl Strand ultimately boils down to your personal style, type of neckline, and occasion you’ll be wearing it to, the most preferred one is 18 inches. The simple reason being- this length complements all kinds of necklines.
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Can Pearl Strands be restrung?
Yes, of course!
In fact, it is advisable to get your Pearl Strands restrung every 24 months to keep them from weakening or breaking.
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How do you store Pearl strands?
First and foremost, always remember to lay your Pearl Strands flat while storing. That would keep the silk thread from weakening or worse, breaking (there is a good chance of that happening if you hang them).
Besides that, Pearl is a relatively soft gemstone which shouldn’t be tossed along with harder gemstone that hold the potential of scratching it. Always store it separately in a soft pouch or soft linen box. Also while we’re at it, remember to avoid storing in airtight containers, sealed plastic bags, safety deposit boxes, or heated/humid temperatures since they require some moisture to keep themselves from dehydrating and cracking.
