Article Presented by:
PearlsOnly Written by: Norma Jones
One of the most frequent inquiries I receive is from men looking for the perfect pearl gift for the women in their lives. Whether it is a gift for a daughter, a wife, a girlfriend, a fiancée, a bride, Mom or Grandma - here are three easy tips to help you find her the perfect pearls.
Tip #1 - Play Detective
Get ready to do some undercover work.
Interview Friends And Relatives
Her close friends and relatives will be a gold mine of information. Be sure to let them know that you are looking to buy her the perfect pearls and need their help. Ask to keep this a secret surprise, be ready to interview and take notes. Here are two questions to start off:
A. Does she borrow pearls from her friends or relatives?
B. What pearls do they think she will just LOVE?
Her friends' and relatives' answers will be great starting points. They can give you a bit of insight into what she likes and wants.
Stake Out!
Take a look in her jewelry box. What is her favorite jewelry piece? This is a good starting point for a general idea of jewelry size and style. Does she like fine and delicate jewelry or is her preference bolder? Also, measure necklace, bracelet length and/or ring sizes.
Here's an important tip while staking out her jewelry box– does she already have classic white pearls? If not, then the classic white pearl strand is the place to start. If she already has one, then consider these following pearl options:
A. Black, pink and lavender pearls
B. Tahitian cultured pearls
C. South Sea pearls
D. Double or triple strand of pearls in white and other colors
The next step in your stake out is in her closet. What are her favorite clothes? Is she casual or more formal? What colors does she prefer? Does she like bright and vibrant colors or more subtle and muted?
Here are a few starting points based on your findings:
A. If her favorite outfit is a light pink sweater twin set, then look towards a strand of classic white pearls with matched stud pearl earrings.
B. For the very fashion forward, look to black pearls – Black cultured Akoya, Freshwater and Tahitian.
C. If she is very active with lots of outdoor gear, start with jewelry pieces that can be worn away from her hands such as earrings, necklaces and pendants.
D. If her wardrobe favors floral prints and pastels, white, pink and lavender pearls are a good place to start.
E. For the business executive, larger white and black pearls will make a powerful statement.
F. If she has the only very best, white and golden South Sea cultured pearls will be sure to impress – these pearls are the largest and rarest.
G. For a very non-traditional woman, black as well as jewel-tone color pearls in greens, reds and blues will be a wonderful addition to their jewelry wardrobe.
Tip #2 - Size Matters
Yes, this is true, the size of both the pearls and finished jewelry length are important too.
Pearl Size
The "sweet spot" for freshwater and Akoya cultured pearls is the 7mm to 8mm range. This will be your best balance between value and the WOW factor. Also your pearl size choice should size up or down based on her physical size. The 7mm to 8mm range is a good starting point for an average sized woman at about 5'6", roughly 150lbs (about a dress size 10). Here are a few caveats and tips:
A. As a woman ages, she should wear larger and larger pearls.
B. Larger pearls are also appropriate for formal and evening events.
C. South Sea and Tahitian cultured pearls are much larger and break the mold of traditional pearls. As a result, your sweet spot for Tahitian pearls will be in the 10mm to 11mm range and South Seas will be in the 12mm to 13mm range. These pearls are very large and do command attention.
D. Larger pearls set into earrings, rings and pendants are also very appropriate.
E. Choose Akoya for the best classic white pearl and freshwater for their amazing value.
Bracelet and Necklace Length
There are a few set bracelet and necklace lengths. The most popular are 7 inches for a bracelet and 16 inches for the necklace. However, you may need different lengths based on your research in her jewelry box and closet.
Here are a few tips to choose a bracelet length:
A. Measure her wrist then add a full inch then round to the closest half inch increment. For example, the average size wrist is about 6.10 inches. Then, add an inch then round to a 7 inch bracelet.
B. Measure a favorite bracelet from her jewelry box. If it is a precious metal and thin bracelet, add one half inch to one full inch as pearls will take up more width.
C. The bracelet length should be measured with a closed clasp as it would be worn.
Next, are a few tips to choose a necklace length:
A. A 16 inch necklace is most popular and will lie in the hollow of an average sized woman's neck.
B. Every inch longer you want the necklace to fall, add about two inches to the overall length of the necklace. For example, if you want the necklace to be about two inches below the hollow of her neck, your necklace length should be 16 + 4 = 20 total inches.
C. A necklace should fall at least one inch above or two inches below the neckline of her favorite clothes.
D. Measure a favorite necklace from her jewelry box and add one half inch or more as pearls take up more width. For large Tahitian and South Sea necklaces, add at least one full inch.
E. Here's a online page with a classic necklace lengths and how each falls when worn - http://www.pearlsonly.com/pearls/customer/pages.php?pageid=299
Tip #3 – A Gift from YOU
This is most important – this gift is from you. The gift is from your heart and a present for her. Be sure that it reflects your love.
A Few Parting Words...
Buying Together
If you are thinking about more than one matched jewelry piece such as a pair of earrings, a bracelet and a necklace, it is a great idea to buy them at the same time. Pearls are individually and naturally created inside of living organisms as a result, it can be harder to find matched pearls later on. This is especially important with earrings and a matched necklace as they are often worn and seen together within close proximity of each other. Pricing can be better for a complete set and pieces can be individually packaged then given at different times.
PearlWizard(tm)
PearlWizard(tm) is a free, easy and step-by-step online tool created by GIA Certified pearl and leading industry experts. More importantly, it has been tested and approved by front line pearl customer care professionals who help satisfied customers choose their perfect pearls every day. The online tool can be located at this following URL - http://www.pearlsonly.com/pearls/customer/pearlwizard.php?id=16&ext=1
About the Author:
Norma Jones is a GIA certified Pearls expert and the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at www.PearlsOnly.com. PearlsOnly is an internet based eCommerce business that provides high quality pearl jewelry direct to consumers. Our goal is complete customer satisfaction with the best selection of the finest pearls anywhere. We leverage our multinational presences to offer our clients high quality pearls, with above-and-beyond customer service at incredible prices. Visit us online at http://www.PearlsOnly.com or call us at 1(888)834-4148.
