Good quality pearl earrings?

[ea32217]

I've been thinking of purchasing a nice pair of pearl earrings, but not sure where to look and what size, or how much I should expect to pay. Is it even worth it to buy high quality pearl earring (studs)?

Any recommendations for brands and sizes would be great.
Also, (I feel stupid asking this), but I assume various brands are "nicer" than others?

ETA- A friend has been coveting a pair of Tiffany pearl earrings, and while they are beautiful, I don't know if they look/are any different than my cheapy fake ones. But I am also not a pearl earring connoiseur

[ea32217]

Jan 28, 2016 9:24:14 GMT -5 JCP said:

I am no means a connoisseur, but I have heard Mikimoto pearls are really nice quality. How they compare to Tiffany, I'm not sure.

Here's some basic studs for $340, I think the cheapest:

www.mikimotoamerica.com/pearl-types/akoya/earrings/stud-earrings-in-white-gold

Thank you. I have heard of Mikimoto. I just wish I knew what makes them better/worse than other brands?

[artgal84]

There are many types of pearls and at a range of prices. Freshwater are the least expensive while saltwater pearls like Akoya or south sea pearls cost much more. The pearls are graded (A, AA, AAA) by a number of things including; luster, blemishes and roundness. Akoya pearls have the most luster for a white pearl but there are also high quality freshwaters.

Mikimoto sells Akoya and they are beautiful but you can buy a similar product from a smaller company for much less, because of the branding. I usually shop from pearl paradise. Their service is great and their website has a lot of educational material, if you are interested in learning about pearls. They always have free shipping.

I would pick an Akoya stud like this for 118$ www.pearlparadise.com/p-2-70-75-mm-white-akoya-pearl-stud-earrings.aspx

Or a larger freshwater pair like this for 135$ depending on the size you want www.pearlparadise.com/p-157-85-90-mm-white-freshadama-freshwater-pearl-stud-earrings.aspx

Sign up for their emails because they send coupons once in a while (there will probably be one for Valentine's Day) and they have pearl point coupons for $ off too. I hope this helps you, I love pearls!