There are 5 major pearl types to choose from: Japanese Akoya, Certified Hanadama Akoya pearls, black Tahitian pearls from French Polynesia, Freshwater pearls from China, Golden South Sea pearls from the Philippines and White South Sea pearls primarily from Australia.

That said, there are a few pearl types that are more popular than others, and for customers new to buying pearls, we know you'll typically want to get straight to our #1 recommendations. Below you'll find our clientele's favored, most loved pearl earring choices.

For more information on the 5 main pearl types, and what makes each of them special, I highly recommend reading:

The Insider's Guide to Pearl Types

From classic Akoya pearl studs to dark and exotic Tahitian drops, the right style of pearl earring really depends on the wearer’s wardrobe, personality, AND your budget. Classic Pearl Studs are easily the most timeless and versatile, and are a "Go-To" choice for shoppers new to pearl jewelry. Studs are available in every pearl type, from lustrous Certified Hanadama Akoya pearls to budget-friendly Freshwater, exotic Tahitians and of course, the Queen of Cultured Pearls: White and Golden South Seas.

When it comes to pearls, size matters!

For a subtle look, go for 6.0–7.0mm pearls. A balanced, classic size is within the 7.5–8.5mm range. For bold glamour, 9.0–10.0mm and larger definitely make a statement.

White South Sea pearls, known for their impressive size and radiant glow, are ideal for a regal aesthetic. Let’s quickly examine each size range to determine which pearl size is right for you.

This pearl size is perfect for “First Pearls” gifts for young girls such as birthdays, First Communion, or graduation gifts. These diminutive pearls also are ideal for petite women, or those with smaller earlobes. The almost tiny size and gorgeous glow of these “Baby” pearl stud earrings make them an ideal choice for women and girls who prefer a subtle, understated look. Our 5.0-5.5mm Akoya pearl studs are the perfect fit here.

Similar to the 5.5-6.0mm size, 6.0–7.0mm pearl studs are a timeless and versatile choice, offering just the right touch of elegance without being overpowering. Perfect for everyday wear, these dainty pearls add a soft glow to the face and are ideal for women who prefer a more subtle, classic look. They're especially well-suited for younger women, first-time pearl buyers, or as a thoughtful gift for birthdays, graduations, or bridal parties. Their delicate size makes them a favorite for layering with other jewelry, while still maintaining the refined beauty pearls are known for. Opt for lustrous Japanese Akoya pearls, or budget-friendly Freshwater for this size range.

The 7.0–8.0mm pearl stud size is the most popular and universally flattering choice, striking the perfect balance between classic elegance and everyday wearability. These pearls offer a noticeable presence without being too bold, making them ideal for both professional settings and special occasions. They’re a favorite among women of all ages, from first-time buyers to seasoned pearl lovers, and are often chosen as a staple piece in any fine jewelry collection. Their versatile size complements every face shape and style, making them a go-to gift for anniversaries, milestones, or simply treating yourself. Choices include our best-selling Akoya pearls, durable Freshwater pearls or treat yourself to a luxury upgrade with Certified Hanadama Akoya pearls.

The 8.0–9.0mm pearl stud size is a stunning choice for those who want to make a more refined yet noticeable statement. These pearls exude a sense of sophistication and confidence, offering a luxurious look that transitions effortlessly from day to evening. Ideal for women who appreciate classic elegance with a touch of boldness, this size is perfect for seasoned pearl collectors, professionals in polished settings, or as a meaningful gift to mark significant milestones. Their larger size commands attention while still maintaining the timeless grace that makes pearl studs a jewelry essential.

This step up in size broadens your choices to all cultured pearl types: Japanese Akoya, PSL Certified Hanadama Akoya, gem quality Freshwater pearls, exotic Black Tahitians and smaller White and Golden South Sea pearls, so your options are only limited by your budget and taste.

The 9.0–10.0mm pearl stud size is a statement of true luxury and sophistication. These larger pearls offer a bold, glamorous presence while retaining the classic elegance that makes pearl studs so iconic. Ideal for women with a strong sense of style or those looking to elevate their everyday look with a touch of drama, this size is often chosen for formal events, black-tie affairs, or to celebrate major life milestones.

This size range is the rarest and largest that Akoya pearls can attain, so both classic Japanese Akoya and the certified Hanadama will vie for position as your most expensive options of each of the major pearl types, even White South Sea! Luxury pearl jewelry buyers should consider carefully which pearl type is most suitable: Hanadama Akoya are infamous for their mirror-like, "glossy" luster, while the White South Sea pearls are known for their softer, more touchable "glow" and thicker nacre layers.

The 10.0–11.0mm pearl stud size is the epitome of bold elegance, perfect for those who want their jewelry to make a confident and luxurious statement. These impressive pearls are eye-catching yet refined, exuding sophistication and power. Ideal for women with an established sense of style, they pair beautifully with both high-end business attire and formal evening wear. This size is especially well-suited for collectors of fine jewelry, women with more prominent features, or anyone looking to celebrate a major achievement with a truly unforgettable gift.

Akoya pearls are no longer an option in this size range, but you can still stick with lower-priced Freshwater pearls, or stick with your more luxurious choices of Tahitian pearls or White and Golden South Sea pearl types.

The 11.0–12.0mm pearl stud size is a showstopping choice, radiating luxury and commanding attention with every glance. These substantial pearls offer a bold, glamorous look that’s both regal and refined—perfect for women who embrace statement jewelry and aren’t afraid to stand out. Ideal for seasoned collectors, high-fashion enthusiasts, or as a milestone gift to mark a significant celebration, this size pairs beautifully with evening wear or elegant updos. With their impressive presence and timeless beauty, these pearls are reserved for those who truly want their jewelry to speak volumes.

While Freshwater pearls are still an option for pearl lovers wanting to step into these larger, more opulent pearl sizes, the majority of buyers will be drawn towards the more luminous White South Seas, colorful Tahitians and glowing Golden South Sea pearl types.

The 12.0–13.0mm pearl earring size is the ultimate in opulence, offering a bold and breathtaking presence that instantly elevates any look. These rare, luxurious South Sea and Tahitian pearls are ideal for women who have a deep appreciation for fine jewelry and aren’t afraid to make a powerful style statement. Their impressive size and luminous glow make them perfect for formal events, high-end fashion moments, or as a once-in-a-lifetime gift to mark extraordinary achievements. Best suited for confident, style-savvy women or collectors seeking the pinnacle of pearl elegance, these pearls are nothing short of spectacular.

A little-known facet about choosing the best pearl earrings for yourself or a loved one is you should take a person's  AGE  into account.

Young girls aren't going to be able to carry off large, exotic pearl earrings, whilst older women can easily wear a pair of 14.0mm White South Sea pearl studs for example. Their lived experience allows them to don larger, more ostentatious pearls and gemstone jewelry than younger women and girls who would look overwhelmed by this opulence.

We'll showcase some of the best pearl earring choices based on age range, along with our best recommendations for pearl earring choices.

For young girls just starting to wear fine jewelry, Akoya pearl studs in 5.0–6.0mm sizes are a perfect choice. These dainty earrings are lightweight, comfortable, and offer a soft, age-appropriate sparkle that’s ideal for everyday wear or special occasions like birthdays, holidays, and first communions. Their affordability and durability make them a wonderful introduction to the world of pearls, and a cherished keepsake they can grow with.

As girls mature into their teen and early adult years, Freshwater  or  Japanese Akoya pearl studs   in 6.0–9.0mm sizes become the ideal choice. These earrings strike the perfect balance between youthful elegance and timeless style. Whether it's for a sweet sixteen, graduation, prom, or just everyday polish, these classic pearls are versatile enough to suit both casual and dressy outfits. Akoya pearls, with their sharp luster and perfectly round shape, add a refined touch for those ready to step into a more sophisticated look.

Japanese Akoya studs in 7.0–8.0mm size range, or Tahitian drops — elegant, versatile, and ideal for transitioning from casual to career wear. These sizes offer a polished yet approachable look that enhances both work attire and evening ensembles. Luminous White South Sea pearls offer a sophisticated, polished aesthetic for this age range.

Akoya or Tahitian pearls in 8.0–9.0mm, 9.0-10.0mm and 10.0-11.0mm sizes, or South Sea drops — graceful, refined, and statement-making. These earrings add sophistication to any outfit and reflect a confident, established style. The older that you get, the larger the pearl jewelry you can carry off confidently.

Larger South Sea pearls (9.0–12.0mm) or bold Hanadama Akoya studs — luxurious, timeless, and unmistakably elegant. These pearls are perfect for marking milestones, celebrating achievements, or simply showcasing a life well lived.

Buying the perfect pair of pearl earrings is not just about price; you want to choose pearl earrings that will complement your face shape and personal style. Below is a small sample of the main face shapes, and which type of pearl earrings you should buy in order to ensure you look your best.

Other face shapes include Diamond, Triangle, Rectangle and more. To learn about which pearl earrings are best for your face shape, then read my blog:

The BEST Pearl Earrings For Your Face Shape

The key to a harmonious look is matching the pearl type (Akoya, Freshwater, Tahitian, South Sea), size, and overtone. For example, a Hanadama Akoya Necklace pairs best with Hanadama Earrings of a similar overtone—Rose, Silver, or Ivory/Cream. Matching luster and color creates an elegant, cohesive style. We recommend sticking within 1.0mm size difference in order to maintain the most cohesive, matching looks.

TRY:  Match the pearls within 1.0-2.0mm in size, along with pearl type, body color and overtone.

AVOID:  Mixing pearl types, like pairing Tahitian pearls with Akoyas, or creating a drastically different size difference between pearls unless you are deliberately trying to create a unique, artistic look.

Prices can vary widely depending on the pearl type, size, quality and earring design. Simple pearl stud earrings will be your baseline for pricing; adding diamond or precious colored gemstone accents can impact the price significantly.

As a general rule of thumb, Freshwater pearls will be the least expensive option, followed by Japanese Akoya pearls, Hanadama Akoya pearls, then Tahitians from French Polynesia with White and Golden South Sea pearl earrings topping out the list as the most expensive pearls to buy.

Freshwater pearl earrings are the most budget-friendly options by far and offer incredible value and beauty for entry-level buyers or gift-givers.

Because each Freshwater pearl harvest simply just dwarfs every other pearl type due to the way these pearls are farmed, the abundant supply of Freshwater contributes to their lower price points.

We tend to recommend purchasing the highest quality pearls you can afford, even if you need to step down a size. We offer AAAA Quality Freshwater pearls as the best alternative to more expensive Akoya. This pearl quality will rival some Akoya pearls for shape and luster, so you can have that classic, round white pearl earring without breaking the bank.

White South Sea pearl earrings and rare, matched Hanadama Akoya earrings are among the most expensive pearl types you can buy.

White South Sea pearls are prized for their large sizes and silky, glowing luster. Sizes start at 8.0-9.0mm and run up through 15.0-16.0mm and sometimes even larger. These pearls are prized for their regal sophistication and elegant appeal. For pearl stud earrings, we recommend sticking with the size range 8.0-9.0mm through 11.0-12.0mm, and opting for dangle earring styles for larger sizes. The reason for this is that the larger pearls are heavier, and as studs, they will start to both flop forward and not sit properly on the earlobe, but also repeated wear can start to stretch the piercing hole.

Certified Hanadama pearls are cream-of-the-crop Japanese Akoya pearls that are lab-tested for brilliant luster, nacre thickness and iridescent Orient. Each pair of pearls comes with its own individually numbered gemological certificate, testifying that your Hanadama pearls are the best of the best. Choose from pearl stud earrings starting at 7.0-7.5mm up to 9.5-10.0mm, the rarest size available. Please note that Hanadama pearls are drilled for setting as studs in the main, so are not usually available in dangle or hoop earring styles.

To learn more about the legendary Hanadama Akoya Pearls, read my article:

The Ultimate Guide to Hanadama Pearls

With our selection and dedication towards providing the #1 Google-ranked Pearl Education online for our clients, our tailored selection and creating each pearl jewelry purchase to order, PurePearls.com is easily the best place to buy pearl earrings online.

At PurePearls.com, we are pleased to offer one of the biggest selections of pearl earrings available online throughout the world. From classic pearl stud earrings, to drops, dangles, hoops and everything in between, our Pearl Earring Collection is guaranteed to dazzle and delight.

With over two decades of experience in specializing in pearls and pearl jewelry, along with direct relationships with pearl farms in Japan, French Polynesia, and Australia, and a fierce commitment to quality, we deliver unmatched elegance at prices you won’t find in traditional jewelry stores. Whether you're looking for everyday studs or luxury heirlooms, we’re here to help you choose the perfect pearl earrings for your needs, within budget and tailored to your style. 

At Pure Pearls, you get:

At Pure Pearls, we don’t just sell pearl earrings—we help you invest in timeless elegance meant to be passed down, generation to generation throughout the years to come.