Hi Kheri,

My first choice of pearl is one that has orient (rainbow color play), translucency (water), and reflectivity (mirror). In strands, the pearls should be harmoniously composed. Shape and surface perfection are secondary features and in strands are always judged by the overall impression they create. A pearl without orient is not a pearl to me except for calcareous concretions like conch pearls that by their very nature do not have orient. Although such pearls can be attractive and very costly, they are only something I would accept as a gift but not buy for myself.

Zeide