Expert Picks for Style, Occasion & Everyday Elegance

I often get asked "What's the best pearl necklace to buy?" by my clients, especially my first-time buyers. My personal “Go-To” recommendation for most people looking to buy the best pearl necklace starts with the Classic Japanese Akoya Pearl Necklace, 7.0-7.5mm in size, typically 18-Inches (the Princess) in length. My next top recommendation is the more budget-friendly White Freshwater Pearl Necklace 7.0-7.5mm. Whichever pearl necklace you choose, either one of these choices will satisfy nearly all the parameters of a “best pearl necklace” that the vast majority of buyers are looking for.

That said, when it comes to buying a pearl necklace, “best” means something different to every woman. Perhaps it’s the glow of a timeless classic, the ease of something beautiful you can wear every day, or the thrill of gifting an heirloom-quality piece, or you're looking to add a splash of color to your jewelry collection. Whether you’re searching for elegance, versatility, or luxury, we’ve curated the best pearl necklaces to buy right now tailored to real lifestyles, special moments, and discerning tastes.

This guide is your refined companion for selecting the top rated pearl necklace—not just the most beautiful, but the one that feels like it was made for you.

The best pearl necklace to buy for timeless elegance is a 7.0–7.5mm Akoya pearl strand—perfectly round, luminously white, and impeccably matched pearl to pearl throughout its layout. With their mirror-like luster and graceful silhouette, this pearl necklace is the “Little Black Dress” of fine jewelry: enduring, elevated, and endlessly wearable.

Your choice here is between the lower cost AA+ Quality, upgrading to the cleaner and more lustrous AAA Quality OR splurging on PSL Certified Hanadama Akoya pearls which are famous for having the highest levels of luster, thickest nacre and cleanest surfaces of all Akoya pearls. If you want to know more about Hanadama pearls, I highly recommend reading my article: The Ultimate Insider's Guide to Hanadama Pearls which will teach you everything you want to know about these stunning cultured pearls.

No matter which Akoya pearl necklace you choose, at Pure Pearls, our best-selling necklaces are hand-knotted with the finest silk between each gem, ensuring both beauty and security. The pearls are selected for their sharp, glossy luster and flawless symmetry—making your pearls a top rated pearl necklace AND a trusted choice among fine jewelry buyers. A piece like this is more than beautiful. It’s iconic.

If you're confused by the AA+, AAA and Hanadama grades I just listed, visit my detailed guide to grading Akoya pearls: The Insider's Guide to Grading Akoya Pearls

For women who want their pearls to keep pace with their lifestyle, a Freshwater Pearl Necklace is the best choice for everyday wear. These strands offer a softer glow and a subtler shimmer, making them perfect for jeans, blazers, or even a bare neckline and red lip.

Their lightweight feel and exceptional value make Freshwater pearls an ideal option for daily elegance without compromising your bank account.

The best pearl necklace for everyday wear shouldn’t always feel like a special occasion, sometimes, you should be able to reach for it effortlessly and wear it with confidence. Pure Pearls’ Freshwater Pearl Necklace Collection includes lustrous, colorful strands in a range of lengths and tones, all chosen for beauty, comfort, durability and most of all: wearability.

If a Freshwater pearl necklace sounds right up your alley, and you want to know more about how to buy these pearls, visit my article: The Ultimate Guide To Buying Freshwater Pearls

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, a graduation, or a wedding anniversary, few gifts are as meaningful—or as memorable—as a pearl necklace. It’s a gesture that feels intimate, personal, and enduring through time.

For milestone gifts, a classic Akoya strand is an exquisite choice. With its luminous white hues and graceful proportions, it marks life’s most important chapters with quiet luxury. For those seeking a more affordable yet still high-quality pearl necklace, Freshwater pearls offer an elegant and heartfelt alternative.

Every Pure Pearls necklace arrives in a keepsake-worthy box, ready to surprise and delight on that special day. When it comes to the best pearl necklace for gifting, look for one that tells a story—and becomes part of your lives.

Some moments just call for grandeur. Black-tie events, weddings, or once-in-a-lifetime celebrations, the best pearl necklace is one that turns heads—and keeps them turned.

Tahitian and South Sea Pearl Necklaces are the ultimate expressions of luxury. Their bold sizes, rare colors, and satiny luster transform any look into a statement. Choose Golden South Sea pearls for warm, sun-kissed radiance, or the mysterious, iridescent tones of a Tahitian Pearl Necklace for an unforgettable entrance.

White South Sea pearls, known as “The Queen of Cultured Pearls” are infamous for their opulently large sizes and deep, luminous glow that echoes the Silvery-White of a brilliant full moon at night.

At Pure Pearls, our Tahitian Necklace Collection and South Sea Pearl Necklace Collection feature strands hand-curated for collectors, brides, and women who understand that pearls are not accessories—they’re declarations of style, luxury and taste. If you’re searching for the best pearl necklace for weddings or gala occasions, this is where your moment begins.

If an exotic Tahitian or luminous South Sea pearl necklace is what you've been dreaming of, but don't know where to start, read my Ultimate Buying Guides, replete with real-life, non-Photoshop images, which lays out in detail exactly what to look for, and how to evaluate your next, best pearl necklace.

Read: The Ultimate Guide to Buying Tahitian Pearls

Read: The Ultimate Buyer's Guide to South Sea Pearls

Every woman’s perfect necklace is slightly different—but here’s how to find yours:

Your lifestyle, wardrobe, and vision of beauty are the truest guideposts. The best pearl necklace isn’t the most expensive—it’s the one you’ll treasure most in the years to come.

At Pure Pearls, every necklace is hand-selected for quality, craftsmanship, and elegance. Whether you’re drawn to the romantic shimmer of Freshwater pearls, the radiant brilliance of the Japanese Akoya, or the bold drama of South Sea and Tahitian strands, our collections are here to help you find your forever jewelry.