Pearl Care & Size Guide
The two questions we hear most: how big is this pearl, and how do I look after it? Here is everything in one place: pearl sizes, necklace lengths, how to measure for bracelets and rings, and the dos and don’ts of everyday care.
Pearl size
Pearls are measured by diameter in millimetres. On most screens the dots below are close to life size, so you can hold your earlobe or finger up to them.
| Diameter | How it feels | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 4–5 mm | Tiny and quiet, like a point of light | Stacking, a second piercing, minimalist looks |
| 6–7 mm | Just right for every day | Daily studs, a single pearl on a fine chain |
| 8–9 mm | Clearly present, still elegant | Formal occasions, when the pearl is the star |
| 10 mm and up | Lush and full | Parties, weddings, anniversary statement pieces |
Necklace length
Length decides where the pearl sits. It refers to the total chain length, not including the pendant.
| Length | Where it sits | Styling |
|---|---|---|
| 38–40 cm | Just above the collarbone | A collarbone chain; lovely with crew necks and shirts, delicate with a single small pearl |
| 42–45 cm | Below the collarbone | The most versatile standard length, common for single-pearl pendants and Y-drops |
| 50–55 cm | Upper chest | V-necks, or the outer layer when stacking |
| 60 cm and up | Chest | A long chain to double up or knot; great with high necks and dresses |
How to measure
Wrap a soft tape (or a piece of string you then measure) from the back of your neck to where you would like the pearl to sit; that number is your chain length. If you have a necklace you already love, measuring it is the most accurate way. Most styles can take a 3–5 cm extender, so when in doubt go a little shorter.
Bracelets & rings
Bracelets
Measure around the narrowest part of your wrist and add 1 to 1.5 cm for a comfortable fit, or 2 cm if you like it loose enough to slide. Most women’s wrists measure 14 to 16 cm, which means a bracelet of roughly 15.5 to 18 cm.
Rings
Two reliable methods: take a ring that already fits and measure its inside diameter at the widest point, or wrap a thin strip of paper around the base of your finger, mark where it overlaps and measure that length for the circumference. If your knuckle is wider than the base, size for the knuckle. Fingers shrink in the cold, so measure during the day, twice, and average.
| Inside diameter | Circumference | Inside diameter | Circumference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15.0 mm | 47.1 mm | 17.5 mm | 55.0 mm |
| 15.5 mm | 48.7 mm | 18.0 mm | 56.5 mm |
| 16.0 mm | 50.3 mm | 18.5 mm | 58.1 mm |
| 16.5 mm | 51.8 mm | 19.0 mm | 59.7 mm |
| 17.0 mm | 53.4 mm | 19.5 mm | 61.3 mm |
Posts vs clip-ons
| Posts | Clip-ons | |
|---|---|---|
| Piercing needed | Yes | No |
| How they feel | Closest to the lobe and lightest; you barely notice them | Held by clip pressure; can feel tight after a while, so take breaks |
| Pearl size | Any size | 8 mm or under recommended; lighter pearls stay on better |
| Can it be changed? | Most styles can be made as posts or clip-ons; just tell us before ordering | |
Posts are a standard thickness and come with silicone or metal backs. If you are sensitive to metals, let us know when choosing a piece and we will keep an eye on the findings.
Everyday care
Pearls are organic gems. The nacre on the surface is thin and soft, and it dislikes acids, chemicals, dryness and scratches. Three rules cover almost everything: last on, first off, wipe after wearing, and store them on their own.
Do
- Put pearls on last, after makeup, perfume and sunscreen
- Wipe them with a soft dry cloth after each wear to remove sweat and oils
- If they get dirty, use a soft cloth barely dampened with water, then dry immediately and air-dry
- Wear them often; the natural oils of your skin help the lustre
- Store them alone in a soft pouch or a compartment of a jewellery box
- Have the string and clasp checked every one to two years
Don’t
- Let perfume, hairspray, makeup or sunscreen touch the pearls
- Wear them swimming, in hot springs, in the shower, exercising or doing housework
- Use ultrasonic cleaners, steam, toothpaste or any jewellery cleaning solution
- Toss them in with other metal or hard gemstones where they can rub
- Keep them in sealed plastic, a dry box, direct sun or heat; pearls contain water and dry out, losing lustre or even cracking
- Pull hard on strung necklaces, or hang them in the bathroom
The metal parts
Silver darkens naturally; polish only the metal with a silver cloth and keep it away from the pearls. Gold and gold-filled parts should avoid friction and chemicals, and plated pieces wear gradually with time, which is normal.
Restringing
Strung necklaces and bracelets rely on silk thread, which loosens and discolours over time. Restring yearly if you wear a piece often, every two years if occasionally. Signs it is time: gaps opening up between pearls, thread turning yellow or fuzzy, knots that will not straighten, a loose clasp.
About pearls
| Type | Character |
|---|---|
| Freshwater | The widest range of colours (white, pink, lavender) and sizes; the most common choice for everyday wear |
| Akoya | Saltwater pearls, very round with a sharp, mirror-like lustre; the classic small white pearl |
| South Sea | Large with thick nacre, in white or gold; unmistakably luxurious |
| Tahitian | Natural greys, blacks and peacock greens; full of character |
Shape and colour
Round is the classic; near-round and drop shapes look natural and wear well; rice pearls are light; baroque (irregular) pearls are one of a kind. Colours run from white, cream, pink and lavender to gold and grey-black, and the depth of tone and overtone is what makes each pearl its own.
Four things that decide quality
Lustre (how clear and sharp the reflections are), surface (how many blemishes), shape, and how well pearls match in a pair or strand. Between pearls of the same size, most of the price difference comes down to these four.
Still unsure which millimetre or centimetre to choose? Tell us about your piercings, your wrist size or what you plan to wear it with, and we will pick with you.
Ask us on LINE