Customer Question:  What are shell pearls. Do you sell these pearls? I looked at your multi-colored necklace and bracelet. Are they the shell?  They are soooo pretty. Thanks,  Julie Answer:  We do not carry shell pearls.  We only carry the finest cultured Freshwater and Saltwater pearls.  Shell pearls are actually a simulated, man-made pearl-jewelry-type that has [...]

Hi Everybody! One of the most frequently asked questions that we hear at PurePearls.com is “What really determines a pearl’s size?”  There are quite a few reasons that we can delve into here, but the first (and biggest) reason is the size of the oyster itself!  For simplicity, we’ll deal with the cultured saltwater pearl [...]

Customer Question:  One of my friends recently purchased his fiancé a set of your pearls for their wedding. Both he and his wife now have excellent things to say about your collection. I am considering your Akoya 18″ necklace, 7.0-7.5 mm white pearls with rose overtones for my girlfriend for Christmas, and I have one [...]

Customer FAQ:  What is Orient?L.K. – Wisconsin    Orient is described as the optical effect of a “prism-like” or rainbow-iridescence shimmering on and/or just beneath the surface of the pearl.  It is one of the most highly prized attributes that a pearl can possess, and also one of the more rare traits for Akoya and [...]

Question:  I would like to start an add-a-pearl necklace for my Mom. Do you offer any loose pearls that would be appropriate for this type of necklace? Thanks so much, Jennifer  Answer:  Your project has a lovely sentiment behind it and I’m sure your Mom would be touched to her toes! We can certainly arrange [...]

Customer Question:  What are Hanadama pearls?  I’ve heard about them from a friend of mine who said they are the best Mikimoto pearls.  – Laura of San Fransisco, CA Answer:  Hanadama is not a PurePearls.com brand name- it is the official name of this grade of Akoya pearl produced only in Japan and certified individually by [...]

I’ve been shopping around the Internet to find the perfect pearl necklace, and I’ve noticed almost everywhere I look that Akoya necklaces are only graduated within a half-milimeter… Can you explain why this is?  That is a great question!  All of our Akoya strands are going to be graduated within .05mm, the smaller pearls will [...]

Hi Everyone! We get questions on a daily basis from our customers wondering if we do custom work.  The answer is “yes.”  We will try to accomodate every customer’s requests.   We do everything from special clasps, multiple strands, special designs, mystery clasps, casting, and incorporating diamonds and other gemstones.    Custom work is really important to me because [...]

Customer Question:  Are your pearls Chinese or Japanese in origin?  Thanks, Rosalind Answer:  Yes, our pearls under 7.5mm are harvested in China and 8mm and above are harvested in Japan.  This is actually industry standard.  Many jewelers will tell you that all their pearls come from Japan but this is not always the case.  Many [...]

Customer Question:  Hi, I’m looking to buy one of your Akoya pearl jewelry sets and am having a difficult time choosing overtone.  What exactly is overtone and which one should I choose?  Thanks, Angela Answer:  As for the Akoya pearl color, the bodycolor is white and the pearl will look white.   Most high quality Akoya pearls [...]