While the white pearls are also priced by jewelers, the gold pearl variety is the most coveted color. The gold South sea pearl's color can range from creamy white to deep gold, and the darker the color, the more expensive it becomes.
Gold Pearls
One of the largest and rarest pearls found around the world is Gold in color. They are Golden South Sea pearls, cultured in the Philippine Islands. Golden South Sea pearls have only been available to pearl lovers since the late 1970s, and are known as the “Rolls Royce” of cultured pearls.
South Sea. South Sea pearls are often referred to as the Rolls Royce of pearls. They are the largest and most valuable pearls grown today, with average sizes ranging from 10 to 15 millimeters.
The most classic and widely preferred pearl color is white. The white pearl is considered a symbol of purity, and is often associated with wedding and graduation celebrations.
As with all gold items, gold pearls are highly prized and perfect for those with a penchant for the finer things in life. In terms of symbolism, this warm, creamy pearl colour represents wealth, prosperity, courage, wisdom, success, freedom and sophistication.
Black Pearl Meaning
Black pearls are also said to offer protection to the wearer, and are sometimes believed to have special powers or to bring luck, prosperity and success.
Pearls were once so rare that only royalty wore them. Some royalty wore fake pearls because not even they could command enough of the gems to adorn their jewelry and crowns. Therefore, wearing pearls was a sign of wealth and social status.
The luster of good quality pearls is sharp and bright. You should be able to see your reflection clearly on the surface of a pearl. Any pearl that appears too white, dull or chalky, is of low quality.
White and Golden South Sea pearls are the largest and most luxurious of all cultured pearl types on the market today. Often called the “Queen of Pearls”, South Sea pearls feature a gorgeous palette of natural Golden and White colors that shimmer with delicate overtones and are simply unmistakable.
The highest value pearl colors belong to Tahitian pearls, and include blue, brown, purple, peacock and aubergine. Next is Akoya with white and silver, followed by freshwater pearls in shades of white and lavender. South Sea pearls in silver and gold are also very valuable and sought after by collectors.
Diamonds can often come at a higher price than pearls.
Akoya pearls are the preeminent cultured pearls. They are the pearls that the Mikimoto brand popularized. Prized by royalty and pearl connoisseurs for centuries, Akoya pearls have long been coveted for their perfectly round shape, richness, and deep luster.
Perhaps the best-loved gems of all time, pearls—both natural and modern cultured pearls—occur in a wide variety of colors. The most familiar colors are white and cream (a light yellowish brown). Black, gray, and silver are also fairly common, but the palette of pearl colors extends to every hue.
As white pearls are by far the most common, they are generally considered less expensive than black pearls. However, their value is actually determined by how and where they are produced, their shape and size, and their lustre.
The quality of pearls coming from the Blacklip Mother of Pearl or the Pinctada margaritifera is the highest quality out of all the pearl oysters. The oysters produce gray, black or dark lustrous pearls with shells growing for about 200-250 mm.
La Peregrina is the most famous pearl in the world. Its history spans almost 500 years. In recent history it belonged to actress Elizabeth Taylor. The original weight of this pear-shaped pearl was 55.95 carats, 11.2 g.
It's often assumed that because something's old it must be valuable. That's rarely true and certainly not for pearls. Advances in technology and culturing techniques mean you can buy a much better set of pearls for far less money than in grandma's time.
– Australia: home to some of the finest quality pearls in the world, with a variety of colors ranging from white to black. The Australian pearl industry is worth an estimated $500 million per year.
Astrology says that the people whose zodiac signs lords are Mercury, Venus, Saturn and Rahu should never wear pearls. Pearls harm the natives of these zodiac signs. This means that people of Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Capricorn and Aquarius ascendant should not wear pearls.
Is it OK to wear pearls everyday? Absolutely. Pearl jewelry should be worn and enjoyed frequently, so avoid leaving your pearls in a security box for long periods of time. But as many jewelry, pearls are beautiful, but they are delicate and should be worn with care.
In general, pearls are not a gift. Giving pearls to someone, whether a bride or a just a romantic gesture later on in the marriage, can be seen as a bad omen inviting sadness into their life. When giving gifts, stick to stones over pearls to make the right impression and avoid superstitions.
When it comes to pearls, certain zodiac signs can benefit from wearing them more than others. Namely, Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are all water signs known for their sensitivity and intuition. Cancer signs are said to be particularly drawn to pearls.