Pearls Before Swine

Coin pearls are a type of flat rounded pearls that are almost coin shaped. They can be worn casually or as an elegant accessory. There is a range of pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.

Yes, there are freshwater pearls. Certain species of pearl-producing mollusks do live in bodies of freshwater. Among them are Hyriopsis cumingi and Hyriopsis schlegeli. Most freshwater pearls come from the United States and Japan. Shop a diverse assortment of antique, vintage and contemporary pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.

A pearl clasp is an opening and closing device that holds a necklace together - in this case, a pearl necklace. The clasp works by hooking one end of the necklace into the other end and locking in place. Shop a collection of expertly vetted jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Yes, there is a fake pearl. In fact, many materials can be used to make faux pearls, such as glass, plastic, mollusk shells, alabaster, bone and stone. These alternate materials typically feel smooth, and their texture sets them apart from real pearls, which have a slightly gritty or rough surface. If you'd like help determining whether a piece of jewelry has real or fake pearls, seek the opinion of an experienced jeweler or certified appraiser. Shop a large collection of pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.

Yes, cultured pearls are real pearls. However, they're not naturally occurring pearls. Instead, they come from oysters raised on farms and are the product of human intervention that encourages the development of pearls. Most pearls available on the market are cultured rather than natural. Shop a wide range of pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.

Although fashion trends do come and go, pearl necklaces generally remain in style season after season. Many people prize the color and shimmer of pearl necklaces, and since they can easily be mixed and matched with casual, business and dressy attire, they are highly versatile. In recent years, even men have begun sporting pearls, with celebrities like Harry Styles and Pharrell Williams driving the trend. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of pearl necklaces.

Yes, pearl earrings can be formal. For dressier occasions, you may want to select pearl studs that are 8 millimeters in size or larger to give your ensemble a dramatic finishing touch. Large drop and dangle earrings featuring pearls are also a great way to complement formalwear. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of pearl earrings.

Yes, pearl earrings are classy. They're timeless and versatile and were favorites of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, Jacqueline Kennedy and many other icons of fashion. Pearl earrings can be worn casually with a favorite day dress in the summer or with a chic vintage gown for an important dinner date. Elegant and minimalist, pearl earrings have been a reliable finishing touch that has remained popular for decades. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of pearl earrings from some of the world's top sellers.

While pearls are valuable because they are only produced from oysters, they are generally less expensive than diamonds.

Yes, you can wear pearl earrings. Pearl earrings are versatile and can work with everything from jeans to your favorite little black dress to your go-to work blazer. Pearl earrings come in a variety of styles. Options include the traditional solitaire stud, swingy dangles, sleek drops and halos that feature a pearl surrounded by sparkling gemstones. Shop a large collection of pearl earrings on 1stDibs.

To clean Mikimoto pearls, use a soft, dry microfiber cloth to carefully wipe each individual bead. The brand recommends that you visit an authorized Mikimoto dealer for professional ultrasonic cleaning if a cloth alone doesn't produce the desired results. Find a selection of Mikimoto pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.

Yes, Tiffany pearls are usually real pearls. Tiffany & Co. uses white Japanese akoya pearls in most of their fine jewelry. A few pieces combine the pearls with diamonds and other gemstones. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Tiffany pearl jewelry.

Yes, there are natural pearls left. However, most have been harvested so they are extremely rare. Cultured pearls are still authentic pearls but more readily available. You’ll find a variety of pearl jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

The best way to tell if a pearl is a conch pearl is to use the services of an expert appraiser. An appraiser can perform the necessary tests to determine what type of precious stone you have. Identifying pearls by color, weight and patterns alone can be challenging. You'll find a variety of expertly vetted conch pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.

Yes, mabé pearls are freshwater pearls, but they can be grown in saltwater. This makes them more budget-friendly than other pearls because they’re more readily available and grow in clusters. Find a large collection of mabé pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.