Pearl necklaces are a classic piece of jewelry that should be in every woman’s (or man’s) jewelry collection. But with the endless choices out there, which pearl necklace style should you choose?
Here’s our top 5 must-have pearl necklace styles that you need to add to your jewelry collection if you haven’t already.
1- The Princess Length Pearl Strand
This is the quintessential pearl necklace and the one that suits everyone. The pearl strand comes in several lengths, but the classic length is 17 to 19 inches, falling just below your collarbone. The pearl strand necklace transitions from casual to formal wear and from day to evening effortlessly. You can wear it when running errands or make it the focal piece for your bridal attire. It’s highly versatile and should definitely be in any woman’s pearl collection.
The size and color of the pearls can easily elevate this type of necklace from casual to formal so choose carefully. Larger pearls always look a little more dressed up and mature, while smaller pearls look casual and tend to suit younger people.
2- Pearl Choker
Pearl choker necklace.
When you want a bit of drama or to look dressed up, the pearl choker is an excellent piece to add to your look. This type of pearl necklace rests at the base of your throat or higher and depending on the style of the choker, can be simple and casual or dramatic and make a statement.
Pearl chokers look best when worn for formal occasions or evening engagements. It perfectly complements a dress or top with an open neckline. It’s also an excellent choice for strapless dresses.
For a statement look, consider layering your choker. One of the most famous choker looks was that of Princess Diana, who often wore a three-layered pearl choker with a giant center sapphire. With or without the center gemstone, a layered choker is an eye-catching, confident look.
If you skip the layers and go with a single, small choker strand, this pearl style then works as a casual necklace, much like the princess length pearl necklace.
When choosing the type of choker necklace, consider your neck length. If you have a shorter neck, a smaller pearl choker might be the best way to go. But if you’re neck is elongated, chokers with larger pearls or layers would work perfectly.
3- Pearl Pendant
If you don’t like too much pearl but still want to incorporate pears into your attire, the pearl pendant is the best way to go. This type of pearl necklace comes in several styles and can be classic and sophisticated, to quirky and fun.
When choosing your pearl pendant, first decide on the type of metal you prefer. Your typical choices would be silver-hued, yellow gold or rose gold. These tend to flatter different skin tones and impact on the overall style of the necklace.
For example, silver-hued metals are contemporary and stylish and tend to flatter people with cool skin tones and fairer skin. Yellow gold looks amazing on darker skin tones and people with warm complexions. Rose gold typically looks great on any skin tone, warm or cool, which is partly why it’s such a favorite.
Popular baroque pearl pendant by Lisha Pearl Jewelry.
Next pick the type of pearl you’re after, considering its shape and size. Baroque pearls add a bit of whimsy and modernity to a pearl pendant while the classic round pearl takes on a traditional look.
You can also pair your pearl pendant with diamonds or other gemstones, to enhance the look of the piece and add value and beauty. One of our favorite styles is to surround the pearl with precious metal, to give it a bezel look.
Surrounding the pearl with tiny crystals or diamonds to create a glittering halo is another way to add sparkle and enhance the luster of the pearl.
Pearl pendants are very versatile and a modern approach to wearing pearl necklaces.
4- Endless Pearl Rope
Doubling the pearl rope necklace to create a layered look.
If you had to pick just one type of pearl necklace, this should be it. The pearl rope style is so amazing, we wrote an entire article on it. The reason we love the endless rope so much is because it’s just so versatile and can be worn in dozens of ways… literally.
A pearl rope is typically over 36 inches long and can reach upwards of 100 inches. Depending on the length you choose, the styles available to you will vary. For example, some ways to wear the pearl necklace include doubling it around your neck for a two-layered style or tripling it for a three-layered choker-like necklace style.
With pearl rope necklaces, you don’t need to have a clasp but would just slip it over your head. It’s comfortable to wear and goes beautifully with casual clothes or a stunning evening gown.
This video shows you 11 ways you can style the pearl rope.
5- Colored Pearl Necklaces
For a truly unique twist to the classic pearl necklace style, opt for different colored pearl necklaces. While the white pearl necklace is beautiful and classic, it’s also very traditional. If you want to break out of that box and showcase something different, colored pearls is a good way to go.
Luckily, because pearls come in a variety of colors, you’ll have endless options. One of the most stylish and luxurious looking pearl necklace styles is the Golden South Sea pearl necklace. If you go for an authentic version, it’ll cost you a fair bit but you’ll be getting your money’s worth. Golden pearl necklaces are glamorous and perfect for formal events. They could look over the top for a casual day out.
Black Tahitian pearls are also a favorite option to add color to your pearl necklace. Tahitian pearls are classy and modern and suit a range of styles. If authentic Tahitian pearls are beyond your budget, consider dyed black Akoya or freshwater pearls.
Beautiful multicolour freshwater necklace strand.
Pearls also come in a range of pastel shades so a multicolour pearl strand would be a gorgeous option to add a pop of color to your look while keeping it simple. These colorful pearls are typically freshwater pearls which are the most affordable variety, which means you have the beautiful look of colorful pearls at a reasonable price.
Some Tips to Remember
When shopping for your pearl necklace style, consider the type and quality of the pearls. If you’re going for faux pearls, then you won’t have to worry about this but even then look for high quality faux pearls that’ll last you a long time.
For genuine pearls, check for surface quality, color, type, size and shape:
- Surface Quality – look for unblemished, smooth surfaces without flaws.
- Color – there’s a range of color to choose from, from black to white. Note that only Tahitian pearls are genuine dark bodied pearls. If the pearl is too garish in color, it’s probably been dyed.
- Type – there are four main types of pearls to choose from. Freshwater is the most affordable and abundant, while Akoya is the most classic type. Tahitian and South Sea pearls are more luxurious and expensive.
- Size – pearls vary in size from 2.0mm to 20.0mm. Tahitian and South Sea are larger pearls which reflects in their higher price.
- Shape – while round, spherical pearls are the quintessential pearl variety, pearls come in a range of shapes. Consider coin pearls, stick pearls or baroque. Each pearl shape offers a different styling.
Where to Buy Pearl Necklaces
You can opt to purchase your pearls in-store or online both of which have their pros and cons. Purchasing in store allows you to view the pearls before you buy, check them against your skin and to develop a relationship with the jeweler so you can always go back for maintenance and repairs.
However, purchasing online gives you endless options and highly competitive pricing, which at times can be up to 80% lower than retail price. This is because online pearl specialists don’t have to deal with higher overheads like brick and mortar stores. They also have excellent customer service, returns policies and product quality. The shopping process is facilitated with high quality images of products, product descriptions and quick delivery. And if you don’t like the jewelry, most reputable retailers offer free return shipping.
If you think you’d like to start searching online, check out our article on whether Amazon is a good place to buy pearls.
You can also check out our comprehensive guide on the best places to buy pearls online.
