The dazzling beauty of pearls has held the attention of brides for millennia. The ancient Greeks believed that pearls worn at weddings would promote marital bliss and prevent newlywed women from crying. In the Middle Ages, pearls were the gift of choice for a knight to give to his lady. During the 14th and 15th centuries, scenes at royal weddings  resembled a sea of pearls, where everyone starting from the bride down to her male guests wore an impressive selection of pearl jewelry.

In modern times, pearls have graced such famous 20th century brides as Queen Elizabeth II, Elizabeth Taylor or Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

You may have seen the term "cultured pearls" at your jewelry store. These are pearls that are brought to life when tiny beads are implanted into the oyster. The oyster then is lowered back into the water and, if all goes well starts depositing layers of a substance called nacre around the bead and eventually a pearl starts forming. Of course, in nature oysters produce pearls without any help but it is rare however. Culturing produces far more pearls than nature could alone.

The Essentials of Pearls

Luster

Luster is the most important feature of a pearl. When looked at in normal light, fine luster produces an almost mirror-like reflection on the surface of the pearl. Pearls that look dull and chalky should be avoided.

Surface

The surface of a pearl should also be relatively clear of pits, blemishes, and pockmarks. Since pearls grow inside an oyster, it's very rare to find a completely blemish-free pearl. But the fewer the blemishes, the greater the value of the pearl. Sometimes if these imperfections are near the drill hole of the cultured pearl, they will be less noticeable in a necklace.

Color

Color in pearls is a preference which is often based upon skin tones or geographical location. In the U.S.A, white pearls with a pink overtone tend to be the most popular, although pearls with a golden tone are gaining popularity.

Size

Size is another factor best left to personal preference. Some people like smaller, more delicate pearls, while others like larger. Size however does affect the price. Usually the larger the pearl, the more valuable it is. Factors such as luster, however, also have an effect on price - a smaller pearl with better luster can sometimes equal the cost of a larger, less lustrous pearl.

Shape

For many people, the rounder the pearl the more perfect it is. But modern tastes vary, and you may want to explore baroque, or irregularly-shaped, cultured pearls. Baroque pearls, for example, more often flash with "orient," a display of iridescent colors that moves across a pearl's surface.