Twelve Pearls gives everyone the opportunity to own and enjoy these stunning underwater gems. Our collection consists of Freshwater, Saltwater Akoya, Tahitian & South Sea Pearls. Whichever you choose, we're sure they will take pride of place in your jewellery collection and treasured forever.

Pearl Sizes

FRESHWATER
AKOYA
TAHITIAN
SOUTH SEA

Spherical pearls can range from 2mm to more than 20mm in diameter. Irregularly shaped pearls, though, can sometimes reach an impressive 50mm in length.

As with other gems, a larger pearl is typically more valuable. The larger the pearl, the more rare it tends to be, and the more it costs. But fine quality pearls can be small, and low quality pearls can be large, so a pearl's ultimate worth depends on how it combines the compete mix of value factors.

Cultured pearls types - akoya, Tahitian, South Sea, and freshwater - often occur in distinct size ranges, although the differences are getting less pronounced due to changes in culturing practices by many pearl producers. In the recent past, the smaller cultured pearls in a jewellers inventory tended to be akoyas. Cultured pearls larger than 10mm were most often South Sea or Tahitian pearls simply because large sizes are more commonly cultured in mollusks from those areas.

The importance of a pearls size to its ultimate value depends on the pearl type. If a fine pearl is larger than usual for its type, it will be worth more than smaller pearls of the same type, because of the rarity of this desirable quality. If a South Sea and an akoya cultured pearl are equal in other ways, large size will have more effect on the akoya cultured pearls value than it would on the south Sea cultured pearls value. That's because large size is less common in akoya cultured pearls.

Traditionally these size ranges are typical:

Akoya - 2.0mm - 11.0mm (Measured in half sizes eg. 6.5-7.0mm)

Freshwater - 2.0mm - 15.0mm (Measured in full sizes eg. 6.0-7.0mm)

Tahitian - 8.0mm - 18.0mm (Measured in full sizes eg. 12.0-13.0mm)

South Sea - 9.0mm - 20.0mm (Measured in full sizes eg. 15.0-16.0mm)

The diameter of every pearl is measured in millimeters, varying from 2 to 20mm and rounded off to the nearest 0.5 mm for akoyas and the nearest 1mm for freshwater, Tahitian and South Sea pearls. Pearls in strands are measured differently. A Strand labeled as a 7.5mm strand will be comprised of 7.0mm - 7.5mm pearls, with the smaller pearls being placed near the clasp. If the differential in the strand is greater then 0.5mm (akoya) or 1mm (freshwater, Tahitian & South Sea) then the strand is considered 'graduated'.

Freshwater

5.0-6.0mm pearls are traditionally worn by girls ages 12 to 16 or very small women.
6.0-7.0mm pearls are best for petite persons or those wishing to maintain an understated, minimalist appeal. Because the pearls are smaller, often times it is more likely to have rounder freshwater pearls.
7.0-8.0mm pearls are slightly more substantial, while still making a refined statement.
9.0-10.0mm pearls are about the size of an eraser head on a No. 2 pencil. They are well suited for young adults or mature teens.
10.0+mm freshwater pearls are often not as consistent in shape and size due to the rarity of their occurrence. Furthermore, it is even less likely that a larger freshwater pearl will be round. For these reasons, this size range tends to highlight the natural cultivation process of Freshwater pearls.

Akoya

5.5 mm-6.0 mm These small pearls are traditionally worn by girls ages 12 to 16 or very small women.
6.0 mm-6.5 mm This size is the perfect gift for graduations. They are traditionally worn by young women ages 16-24.
6.5 mm-7.0 mm A strand of this size is considered the "starter" set for women in their mid 20s on up. It is the traditional present for all occasions.
7.5 mm-8.0 mm This size, traditionally worn by women age 30 and up, is the strand for the upwardly mobile woman. Not too flashy, 8 mm is big enough to give an air of importance. This size is a traditional wedding or anniversary gift through the fifth year of marriage.
8.0 mm-8.5 mm These pearls tend to be more expensive, so they are traditionally worn by women age 35 and up, and often signify financial success.
8.5 mm-9.0 mm A strand of this size are perfect for women ages 35 to 45 or a woman in her early 30s of high stature. They exude class. Jacqueline Kennedy's famous pearls were this size.
9.0 mm-9.5 mm These are very high-end pearls and are traditionally worn by women in their later years. You'll find these pearls in the jewelry boxes of wealthy women or dedicated pearl collectors.
9.5 mm-10.0 mm Pearls are rarely found in this size and even harder to match well, so they fetch a very high price on the jewelry market. Former First Lady Barbara Bush owns pearls this size.

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Tahitian

Tahitian pearls generally range between 8mm and 14mm. Some pearls reach 16mm and very exceptionally 18mm. To date, the record diameter is 21mm. Pearls that reach the extraordinary size of 21mm, which no matter what their colour make them exceptional gems.

South Sea

South Sea pearls are among the largest commercially harvested cultured pearls in the world. The average size of a South Sea pearl is 13 mm, with most harvests producing a range of sizes from 9 mm to 20 mm.