Question about pearl grade and bracelets vs. necklaces

[Heidi]

Hello All -

This may not be the right place for this question, I hope Caitlin will move as necessary.

My question is a general jewelery design one: Do you typically use a higher grade/quality of pearls for bracelets and rings than for necklaces or stud earrings? I have been told by a couple jewelers (gem-setters) that a slightly lower grade gem is tolerated in items which will not be brought right up to ones eyes, such as a necklace or pendant. Does this translate to pearls?

Thanks for indulging my curiosity.

[Raisondetre]

I always thought stud earrings were the highest grade - that's why the gem strands are also known as loose pearl earring grade. My understanding is also that if a necklace is stated as AAA then it should be an AAA strand, but the size graduation may be a bit different than a bracelet because of the length. I would expect earrings, pendants and rings to be made with higher grades (apart from flaws concealed by setting) as they are more isolated. But I'm not a jeweller and I don't make any accessories myself, so I could be wrong.

[Pearl Dreams]

I can only speak for myself. When selecting which pearls I'll use for what, I select the pearls in this order:

best: for earrings
next best: necklace
last selected: bracelet (since this will take more wear-- why use my best?)

[jshepherd]

We use the best for what we call "stand-alone pieces". This would include earrings, rings and pendants. With these pieces the majority of the pearl is exposed. In strands and bracelets a smaller percentage is exposed and shape tends to blend.

[pearlescence]

I'm with Pearl Dreams. Best earrings, then solitaire pendants, then necklaces and finally bracelets because they get knocked about more in wear and aren't that close to the eye unless the person is looking.
A necklace is closer usually because the person looking will usually be on the same level whereas a person's eye's aren't usually level with a wrist - which also tends to move around more.

[jerin]

Hi,

if making anything for myself I would also choose the necklace over a bracelet for the same reasons you mention. But it is true, if there are some pearls not quite the same quality in a necklace, they will tend to "disappear" amongst the other finer ones.