White Pearl Necklace

The White pearl necklace is the "classic" piece of pearl jewelry. Akoya pearls are the most traditional type of pearl used in necklaces, but freshwater pearls, Tahitian pearls, and large South Sea pearls are also used, giving  stunning effect to a White Pearl necklace.

Akoya Pearls have the traditional white, silver, or cream colors, while Tahitians and South Sea pearls yield  pearl necklaces of darker tones. Freshwater pearls can be either white or dark, and are generally more affordable than the saltwater pearls.

Pearl necklaces come in a wide variety of styles:

• Bib: Consists of several strands of pearls of varying lengths.
• Collar or Dog Collar: Consists of multiple strands of pearls worn high on the neck.   12-13 inches long.
• Choker: Similar to a collar, but is worn somewhat lower on the neck. 14-16 inches long.
• Princess: The "classic" length for a pearl necklace, lying slightly below the neck. 17-19 inches long.
• Matinee: Traditionally worn for semi-formal occasions, works well with suits and dresses. 20-24 inches long.
• Opera: Generally worn at formal occasions with evening dresses. The pearls should fall below the bust line. To be worn during the day in less-formal settings, the strand can be doubled over. 30-36 inches long.
• Rope: This is the longest of all pearl necklace styles. It can also be doubled, as well as knotted. Some rope necklaces have multiple clasps, which allow it to be broken down into shorter strands. Over 36 inches long.

The pearls used in a White Pearl necklace can all be of the same size or they can be graduated. Good matching of the pearls is important, both for aesthetic reasons and for the highest value. The size of the pearls in the necklace is subject of tradition. Traditionally, certain pearl sizes are considered appropriate for women of various ages, and the size of the pearls is also considered an indicator of the wearer's wealth and social status.

Smaller pearls are generally appropriate for teenage girls and younger women while medium size pearls Pearls are worn by women in the range of the mid-20s to mid-30s. They show a woman who, in a sense, has "come of age," but the pearls still remain modest and not too showy. Larger White Pearl Necklaces exhibit an aura of status, class, and success. These pearls tend to be more expensive  Large Pearls such as Tahitian and South Sea are both rare and expensive. They are generally worn by wealthy women of more mature years.