How Much Are Pearls Worth? A Guide to Pearl Value

How much are pearls worth? This question resurfaced after a huge discovery in 2017, excavations at the Marawah Island near Abu Dhabi uncovered a beautiful natural pearl. After running tests, it was found that the pearl was 8,000 years old, dating back to the Neolithic period. It was soon dubbed ‘the world’s oldest pearl’ and displayed proudly at an exhibition at the Louvre Abu Dhabi titled ‘10,000 years of luxury’.

It is statistically not feasible to evaluate and price such a rare, exquisite pearl, now known as the ‘Abu Dhabi pearl.’ However, for all the other pearls, there is a tangible way to evaluate their worth and put a relevant price tag on them. So, before you buy your next pearl jewelry piece, it’s a good start to understand how much pearls are worth. 

EG13096Y45PL

14K Yellow Gold Diamond and Pearl Fish Wire Drop Earrings

Types Of Pearls

Natural and cultured are the two types of pearls we can encounter on the market. To make an informed decision before buying your next piece of jewelry, let’s dive into the ultimate comparison: Natural vs cultured pearls.

Unlike other gemstones that are formed under the earth and then mined, the formation of a pearl is nothing short of a miraculous occurrence. It involves a biological process, typically by an oyster, but it could also be any other mollusk. When a foreign object or parasite slips inside the oyster's shell, it defends itself against this invasion by covering it up. The oyster instinctively secretes a substance called nacre – usually silvery white – which coats the tiny irritant, layer by layer. Eventually, these concentric layers of nacre form a pearl.

Cultured pearls, also known as pearls of culture emerge when an oyster or mussel plays host to an object like a tiny piece of shell or plastic and encases it with layers of nacre through a wearing yet creative process that results in the enchantingly dazzling pearl formation as we know it today. The quality and color of pearls differ based on the type they are sourced from and the specific irritant that triggers their formation within them along with their conditions.

EG13935W45PL

14K White Gold Pearl and Diamond Halo Stud Earrings

A pearl could cost anywhere between a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands. Even though it is considered a semi-precious stone, there are pearls in the world that outshine and outprice diamonds as well.

When comparing price points, cultured pearls range from $100 to as much as $20,000, depending on their quality. On the other hand, natural pearls can start at $500 and surpass $100,000.

Many factors come into play to determine how much pearls are worth.

LR3607W45PL

14K White Gold Classic Cultured Pearl Diamond Accented Stackable Ring

Although not as expensive, Tahitian pearls from French Polynesia are famed for their unique, dark colors like black, deep blues, aubergines, and peacock greens. The Akoya pearls from Japan and China boast near-perfect round shapes in pastels such as cream, light pink, and silver, making them highly coveted.

Found in rivers and lakes, Freshwater pearls are beautifully shaped by nature. These pearls are cultivated by gently inserting a small piece into the oyster, inducing nacre production and resulting in stunning cultured pearls. While they’re just as authentic as their wild ocean counterparts, they're more widely available, making them a more accessible option for those looking to add pearls to their jewelry collection.

TB2952SVJPL

Sterling Silver Filigree and Pearl Station Bracelet

LR51814W45PL

14K White Gold Pearl Ring with Diamond Halo

3. Luster—Appearance also plays a huge role in pearl grading. When a pearl's luster or shine is naturally beautiful, it doesn't require any polishing or cutting. Glossier and sharper pearls are valued much higher and are considered to be of superlative quality.

3. Luster—Appearance also plays a huge role in pearl grading. When a pearl's luster or shine is naturally beautiful, it doesn't require any polishing or cutting. Glossier and sharper pearls are valued much higher and are considered to be of superlative quality.

4. Shape—Since pearls are treasures found in nature, they come in various imperfect shapes—round, oval, and baroque—with some irregularities. The more symmetrical they are, the more valuable they become. Round pearls, for instance, are highly prized for their near-perfect shape.

NK3706SVJPL

925 Sterling Silver Swirling Cultured Pearl Pendant Necklace

5. Color—Blemishes or imperfections on the surface of the pearl can also lower its cost, as flawless surfaces are lucratively valued. Finally, colored pearls and the ones with soothing pearly-white hues generally cost more than conventional white and yellowish-white ones.

The pearl grading system is more complex than other gemstone evaluations, as each pearl is as unique as a living creature. Taking your pearl to a professional to assess it properly is important. Six basic aspects determine the provenance, quality, and, therefore, the cost of the pearl. Size, of course, is one, and so is nacre thickness. 

Other key factors to consider are luster, shape, color, and surface quality. As natural pearls become increasingly rare, high-quality vintage pearls grow even more scarce and precious. Yet, stunning discoveries still happen—like when a Filipino fisherman found a 26-inch pearl that was valued at an astonishing $100 million.

The standard pearl grading system classifies them into 3 (sometimes 4) categories:

• AAA is the highest grading highlighting an outstanding shine and form.
• AA indicates that the pearl is top-notch with blemishes and a nice shimmer.
• A means the pearl still holds value, despite some imperfections and a lesser shine.

NK6627W45PL

14K White Gold Pave Diamond and Pearl Pendant Necklace

Pearl jewelry can be worth a fortune, especially world-famous necklaces. The Cowdray Pearl Necklace is famed for its 38 perfectly graduated gray pearls. Only 1 out of 1,00,000 pearls are this color, so this is no rare feat. In 2015, Sotheby's Hong Kong auctioned the piece for $5.3 million. The Baroda Pearl Necklace boasts seven strands and 330 pearls. Just one of the pieces of this necklace came up for auction at Christie's for a remarkable value of $7.1 million. They called it the most natural pearl necklace ever seen at an auction. And, of course, who can forget La Peregrina, a necklace valued at $11.8 million? It was first owned by Queen Mary of England, then Napoleon, and centuries later, it was gifted to Liz Taylor by Richard Burton.

Pearls can complement any outfit or occasion whether it's a lunch, with friends or a professional conference meeting later in the day.

Classic pearl necklaces are simply timeless, and they bring versatility to any look, much like this 14K white gold round pearl pendant This necklace flawlessly embodies class and adaptability, making it the go-to piece for any occasion, and upgrading your outfit in a captivating way.

Pearl Rings and Earrings: Grace your fingers with pearl rings, a testament to silent luxury. If you are a rose gold aficionado, consider this 14K rose gold cultured pearl and diamond ring. You’ll find yourself reaching for this wrap ring over and over again.

You can always complement them with these 14K rose gold diamond and pearl halo stud earrings. The delicate diamonds and lustrous pearls are sure to impress.

Top Tips for Finding the Best Value and Shopping for Pearls

If you are in the market for pearl jewelry, here are two tips to help you find what suits you best.

Set Your Budget: Start by deciding on your budget. Once you do that, you can consider shopping for a beautiful pearl while changing the type of metal and its design to suit your quest. Look at this Steel My Heart sterling silver cultured pearl bypass bangle. Composed of gorgeous twisting cables of sterling silver and cultured pearl caps at the bypass enclosure, it is synonymous with luxury.

Check Certifications 

Keep in mind that it’s of paramount importance to request certifications to confirm the genuineness and excellence of the pearls.Avoid resorting to traditional methods like scratching them against your teeth as it can cause permanent damage.

Pearls are gemstones that represent beauty and gracefulness while embodying a sense of charm that transcends time itself. Make an informed choice when buying pearl jewelry and appreciate their worth and significance.

Whether your taste leans toward chic or contemporary flair in jewelry pieces, we invite you to check out Gabriel & Co.’s pearl rings, dazzling earrings, amazing bracelets, and breathtaking necklaces.

At Gabriel & Co. New York, we offer pearl designs for every occasion and aesthetic, ranging from a tiny pearl pendant set in sterling silver to a stunning pearl center stone ring set in white gold. Visit us and choose your favorite pearl jewelry design.