What colors do pearls come in?

Pearls come in a vast array of colors, truly a kaleidoscope far beyond the common white we often see. The color of a pearl is determined by a combination of factors including the type of mollusk, its growing environment, trace elements, and light interference.

Overall, pearl color can be divided into two components: Bodycolor and Overtone:

• Bodycolor: The pearl's overall base color, the fundamental hue of the nacre.

• Overtone: One or more translucent, rainbow-like hues that seem to float over the bodycolor, such as pink, green, purple, or blue sheens.

It is the unique combination of bodycolor and overtone that creates the immense variety of pearl colors.

Here is a detailed breakdown and introduction to the main pearl colors:

1. Common Colors by Pearl Type

Different types of pearls have their own characteristic color tendencies.

1. Seawater Pearls

• Akoya Pearls:

• White Series: Most common, usually with pink, silver, or cream overtones. The highest-quality "Hanadama" pearls often exhibit a strong pink overtone.

• Silver/Blue Series: Bodycolor with cool tones like silver-gray or light blue, very elegant.

• Cream Gold: A warmer, softer color than white.

• Natural Gold: Relatively rare, lighter in color than South Sea golden pearls.

• South Sea Pearls:

• South Sea White Pearls: Bodycolor is white, often with silver, pink, or champagne overtones. Their luster is soft and satiny, giving a highly luxurious feel.

• South Sea Golden Pearls: Ranging from light champagne to a deep, intense gold. The deeper the color, the rarer and more valuable.

• Tahitian Black Pearls:

• Perhaps the most colorful pearl category! "Black Pearl" is just a general term; their bodycolor is far from just black.

• Common colors: Peacock Green, Platinum Gray, Lavender Purple, Pistachio, Ocean Blue, etc. The most sought-after is the "Peacock Green" with its green overtone.

• Mabe Pearls:

• Their color range is extremely wide, capable of displaying all pearl colors, including pure white, pink, blue, purple, gold, etc., and their overtones are often very intense and dreamlike.

2. Freshwater Pearls

• Freshwater pearls offer the greatest diversity of colors.

• White Series: From pure white to off-white, pinkish-white.

• Purple Series: A characteristic of Chinese freshwater pearls, ranging from light lavender to deep violet.

• Orange/Pink Series: Including peach, salmon, and blush pink, very sweet and charming.

• Golden Series: With recent advances in culturing technology, nucleated freshwater pearls like "Edison" pearls can now produce intensely golden colors.

• Unusual Colors: Often a mix of multiple colors, including metallic shades like bronze, brown, chocolate, etc.

2. Classification by Color Series

For easier understanding, they can be summarized into the following main color series:

• White Series: Classic, elegant. Includes pure white, cream, silver-white, etc.

• Black Series: Mysterious, noble. Represented by Tahitian pearls, includes black, gray, green, blue, purple, and other dark tones.

• Golden Series: Luxurious, opulent. Represented by South Sea golden pearls, from light gold to deep gold.

• Pink/Purple Series: Gentle, romantic. Common in freshwater pearls and Akoya pearls.

• Silver/Blue Series: Cool, intellectual. Seen more in Akoya pearls and some Tahitian pearls.

• Unusual/Metallic Series: Unique, distinctive. More common in freshwater pearls, such as bronze, chocolate, etc.

Summary and Purchasing Advice

• There is no "best" color: The choice of pearl color depends entirely on personal preference, skin tone, and style of dress.

• Fair Skin: Can wear almost all colors, especially suits pink, purple, and other cool tones, which can enhance fairness.

• Yellowish Skin: Suits white, cream, champagne gold, metallic colors, and other warm tones, which can brighten the complexion. Avoid pearls with a yellowish cast.

• Darker Skin: Suits wearing richly colored pearls, like South Sea golden pearls and Tahitian black pearls, which look very bold and majestic.

• The Importance of Overtone: A pearl's value lies not only in its bodycolor but also in the intensity and beauty of its overtone. Strong, captivating overtones (like the pink glow of Akoya or the peacock green of Tahitians) greatly enhance a pearl's value and beauty.

• Natural vs. Treated Color: Some colors on the market are optimized through post-harvest treatments like dyeing or irradiation (especially black, golden, and some unusual colors). When purchasing, especially high-value pearls, you can ask the seller and request an identification certificate from an authoritative gemological laboratory.

We hope this detailed color guide helps you better understand and choose pearls!