| White pearl necklaces are always a beautiful, | | | | and can be worn for work because it goes well |
| classic gift and will fit right in with any occasion, | | | | with work and business suits. Opera pearls are 28 |
| whether it's a wedding, a birthday, anniversary or | | | | to 34 inches long are often worn during formal |
| just about any day that calls for giving. White | | | | parties. |
| pearls have an elegance and quiet beauty that is | | | | Rope pearls are the longest, starting at 37 inches, |
| appreciated by any woman of any age. When | | | | although they don't necessarily need to be worn |
| cared for properly, they can last for years and | | | | just hanging from the neck. Like opera pearls, |
| years, which is no wonder that in any heirloom, | | | | rope pearls may be knotted or doubled and may |
| pearls are one of those which stand out. | | | | even be worn as a wide pearl bracelet. |
| Traditionally, white pearls were given during | | | | Choosing the right style |
| weddings. It was believed that a gift of pearls | | | | Pearls are quite adaptable and will work well with |
| ensured the happiness of married couples. | | | | almost any kind of gemstone. Alone or in |
| Nowadays, white pearls are worn anywhere - in | | | | combination with another gem, white pearls look |
| board rooms, parties, family get-togethers, bars - | | | | stunning. White pearl necklaces come in several |
| in just about any special occasion that calls for | | | | major styles: the bib, dog collar, graduated and |
| dressing up without dressing too much. | | | | uniform. |
| Natural vs. Cultured | | | | The bib is made of several strands, usually three |
| Natural pearls, as their name implies, are produced | | | | or more, that varies in length and fall over the |
| naturally by oysters or mollusks. They start off | | | | chest like, well, a bib. The pearls on the strands |
| as irritants (a grain of sand, piece of food or a | | | | may either be graduated or uniformly-sized. |
| parasite) that enter the shell of a living oyster. As | | | | The dog collar, like its name, is made of several |
| a reaction to this invasion, the oyster produces | | | | strands and is worn to fit above the base of the |
| nacre to contain the irritant. This coating is put | | | | neck, right in the middle of the throat. The pearls |
| over it in multiple layers until the irritant is | | | | that make up the strands are uniform in size and |
| completely covered and a shining pearl is born. | | | | may either be small or medium-sized. |
| Since natural pearls are made 'accidentally' and | | | | The graduated necklace is made up of either a |
| therefore quite difficult to come by, cultured | | | | single strand or several, with pearls of graduated |
| pearls were developed to meet the growing | | | | sizes. Usually, the middle pearl is the largest in the |
| demand for pearls and to protect pearl oysters | | | | strand. The uniform necklace uses the same size |
| from over-harvest and extinction. Cultured pearls | | | | pearls in its strands and is probably the most |
| are also real pearls, except that instead of waiting | | | | common. |
| for an irritant to invade an oyster, pearl farmers | | | | Choosing the right size |
| introduce a 'nucleus' to stimulate the production of | | | | White pearls come in different sizes, with the |
| a pearl. | | | | most commonly used and sold ranging from |
| Choosing the right length | | | | 6.5mm to 7.5mm, while really small pearls |
| White pearl necklaces come in varying lengths for | | | | measure 1mm or less. Some of the bigger pearls |
| different styles and occasions. When buying one, | | | | are in the 14 to 18mm range. |
| it's worth remembering that a white pearl | | | | Generally, smaller pearls are best for younger |
| necklace is an accessory and can enhance or | | | | women and children while medium to bigger pearls |
| affect the entire look of the wearer. | | | | are flattering for older women. One of the |
| Longer strands are used to make short necks | | | | reasons for this is tradition. In the past, the size |
| appear longer, while shorter strands flatter longer | | | | of the pearl reflected the woman's maturity and |
| necks. The most common lengths that white | | | | social status and so she wore the kind of pearls |
| pearl necklaces come in are: the collar, choker, | | | | that were deemed appropriate for her. |
| princess, matinee, opera and rope. | | | | The other reason is aesthetics. Younger women |
| Collar pearls are the shortest at 14 to 16 inches | | | | tend to have younger necks and the best way to |
| long and may be worn with formal or semi-formal | | | | show this off is to wear smaller pearls. Pearls of |
| evening wear or semi-formal day wear. Chokers | | | | this size also do not look borrowed and women |
| are 16 to 18 inches long and are the common | | | | don't seem to be playing 'dress up' with their |
| choice for dances and balls. Princess necklaces are | | | | mother's jewelry. Older women are better off |
| the most popular length at 18 to 20 inches long | | | | with medium to bigger-sized pearls, which also |
| and look great on any outfit. | | | | imply that she has reached a certain status in life. |
| Matinee pearl necklaces are 20 to 24 inches long | | | | |