Become a Pearl Expert
The Ultimate Guide
We show you how to grade and select pearls like a professional buyer. Learn the truth about the pearl industry and how to avoid paying retail prices.
At Pure, we want our pearl earrings to be affordable for everyone. We’ve created this collection to showcase the best pearl earrings under $500 for a fast and easy shopping experience. Choose from a large selection of pearl stud earrings consisting of Freshwater and Akoya pearls, drop-shaped Tahitian dangle earrings and even dainty pearl and diamond earrings for those looking for a touch of charming sparkle. Every pair of pearl earrings in our collections are handmade to order, meticulously matched for color, overtone, size and luster, and mounted in your choice of .925 Sterling Silver or 14K Gold earring designs here at our Los Angeles, CA based workshop. Our dedicated team of pearl specialists and craftsmen are here to make sure each and every pearl earring purchase is absolutely gorgeous and will be a meaningful gift cherished for years to come, without breaking your budget.
The key to buying high quality pearl earrings under $500 is to focus on finding pearls with the highest luster possible, then look at size and color. In this price range, your options will be primarily Freshwater or mid-range size Akoya pearls, with some Tahitian drops mixed in at the higher end of the $500 limit. Freshwater pearls will offer you the best range of sizes and colors to choose from, delivering beautiful luster and long-term durability, perfect for everyday wear. Akoya pearls will give you that famous mirror-like luster, perfectly round shape and iconic “Mikimoto” look. No matter which pearl earring type you choose, look for high luster, clean surfaces, beautiful matching and secure mountings that are easy to use. By prioritizing craftsmanship and luster you can easily find a gorgeous pair of pearl earrings under $500 that will feel refined and timeless … pearl earrings that are built to last for years to come.
The best pearl earrings under $500 will be primarily in the Freshwater and Akoya pearl types. Our most popular Freshwater pearl earrings are the classic and iconic white pearl studs in the 7.0-8.0mm size range, with the next most popular pearls in the 6.0-7.0mm range. For a more luxurious statement, we recommend going up to the 8.0-9.0mm size; these are pearls made to be noticed! The color-treated black and classic white Japanese Akoya pearl stud earrings in the 6.0-6.5mm up through 7.5-8.0mm range are highly popular, and will give you that iconic "Mikimoto" pearl look, but you may have to step down in quality in the larger sizes. Another unique but gorgeous option would be to focus on either Freshwater or Tahitian pearl drop-shaped dangle earrings, which offer an artistic, romantic look that will always get noticed.
Absolutely. The best course of action is to choose your pearl type, then focus on getting the highest levels of luster possible, and then choose your preferred size, color and mountings. The under $500 price range offers plenty of beautiful, lustrous options to choose from, ensuring you can buy a stunning pair of pearl earrings while still staying on budget.
Within this budget, we have plenty of options to choose from. Look for classic pearl stud earrings, slim dangles, baroque pearl dangle earrings and a few pearl and diamond earring designs. With Freshwater pearls, you'll have a larger range of sizes to consider, ranging from 6.0-7.0mm up through 8.0-9.0mm pearls. For Akoya pearls, stick with sizes under 8.0mm, and AA+ Quality.
Definitely. The most popular choice of pearl stud earrings will always be versatile, elegant and suited for everyday wear or even dressed up for a night on the town. The dangle earring designs in this category are chosen for their modern, versatile looks which transition from a day at the office to more formal occasions easily and beautifully.
Both 14K Gold and Sterling Silver offer excellent value; gold is generally more durable and longer lasting, but there is an increased cost associated with this precious metal. Sterling Silver is an excellent alternative to 14K White Gold, but is softer and more malleable. However it can cut down on the costs of the design allowing you to purchase slightly larger pearls.
There are plenty of sites like eBay out there that will offer pearl earrings under $500 but the earrings can be very low quality or even commercial grade. Stick with reputable vendors with a long track record of offering high quality pearls at affordable price points and with a solid return policy. Always focus on bright, reflective luster and make sure your pearls are well-matched and are clean to the eye on the front and sides.
We show you how to grade and select pearls like a professional buyer. Learn the truth about the pearl industry and how to avoid paying retail prices.
Read our "How To..." Articles
Cultured pearls come in 5 main varieties: Akoya, Tahitian, Freshwater, White and Golden South Seas and Sea of Cortez pearls. Each type of pearl has its own unique beauty to...
This is by far the most common question I get, and for good reason. Pearl size is one of the key factors affecting the price and also one of the first things to be noticed. While there is no def...
Fine pearls are one of the least understood and most niche gemstones in the jewelry world – even professional jewelers often run into trouble identifying pearl types, understanding grading...
This is the second most common question I field on a weekly basis. It's not always an easy answer – it depends on a variety of factors like personal style, which events you’d like to...
So you’re looking for “white pearls” that look nice and you found a great deal on a Japanese Akoya Pearl Necklace, BUT then you found a comparable White Freshwater Pearl Neckla...
I get so, so many questions about our Hanadama pearls! What are they? What makes them special? Are they worth the price? So I put together this sweet Insider’s Guide to Hanadama Pearls for...
Pearl grading standards are a MESS. Seriously – standards are all over the place, they vary from seller to seller, farmer to farmer and auction to auction. Walking an industr...
It has been said before that the world of pearls offers a rainbow of color to choose from, and it is never so more true than today. Pearls offer an astonishing array of colors for everyone to lo...
Free 2-Day FedEx on all orders within the USA. Overnight delivery options start at $35.
Most orders ship within 1-2 business days, sometimes same day.
International shipping is affordable and fast. Most international packages arrive in 2-4 business days.
Your package is fully insured. If your order is lost or stolen before delivery, we got you covered.
Our Pricing Explained
Luxury Grade Pearls. Lower Prices.
Luxury Grade Pearls.
Lower Prices.
The true value of pearls lies in their quality. We sell true luxury grade pearls without traditional luxury store markups.
We source the worlds finest pearls and sell direct to customers like you. You can expect to save about 1/2 the cost of traditional retail.
Pure Pearls Pricing
Traditional Retail Pricing