How to Buy Pearls Online

Co-authored by Hunter Rising

Last Updated: August 25, 2021 References

Pearls are beautiful and timeless additions to your wardrobe, but buying them in stores can get a little expensive. Luckily, you can save some money and time by shopping for your pearls online. Almost all pearls you buy online are grown on farms rather than naturally found, but there are a lot of scammers trying to peddle fakes. Don’t worry, because we can help you find a reliable seller. We’ll start with how you can find a trustworthy site to buy pearls and then move on to the characteristics and types you should look for!

Method 1

Method 1 of 15:
Check the site for accreditations.

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Legitimate sites are approved by the BBB and Jewelers of America. When you find a site that sells pearls, scroll through the home page and the About section to see if they list any accreditations. If you see accreditations from the Better Business Bureau and Jewelers of America on the site, you can trust them to sell you real pearls. If you can’t find a seal or listing anywhere on the site, then buy from somewhere else.^{[1]
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- You can also see if the website has been mentioned by any reputable news outlets.

Method 2

Method 2 of 15:
Look for positive reviews.

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If past customers are satisfied, you’re safe to buy from the site. Search for the name of the website and the word “reviews” and read through what the past customers have said. If they’re mostly positive and the reviewers seem satisfied with their purchase, you can probably trust the website as well.^{[2]
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- Be on the lookout for fake reviews. If the review has grammatical errors or repeats the brand name a lot, it’s probably not legitimate.^{[3]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 15:
Make sure you can reach customer service.

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Safe sites offer multiple ways to communicate and answer questions. Find the customer service links on the website and make sure they list an email, at least 1 phone number, and a live chat option. Try reaching out to the customer service links asking for help with a purchase. If the customer service representatives are responsive and helpful, you can safely shop there.^{[4]
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- If you don’t see any way to contact the website, you should avoid shopping there.

Method 4

Method 4 of 15:
See if the site gives certificates of authenticity.

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Certificates ensure you’re getting genuine pearls instead of fakes. Scan through the site and see if they send a certificate with every purchase. The certificate should list the details of the pearl so you know it’s legitimate. If the site doesn’t authenticate your purchase, then they could be selling fake pearls.^{[5]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 15:
Read through their return policy.

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If you can't find a return or exchange process, don't buy. Scroll through the site to see if they list any policies about returns or exchanges. If the site’s legitimate, they’ll offer you options if you aren’t satisfied with your original purchase. If you can’t find anything listed on the site, then you should shop somewhere else.^{[6]
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Method 6

Method 6 of 15:
Choose the pearl size based on your budget.

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Larger pearls are more expensive than smaller ones. Pearls come in a range of sizes from 1 mm up to 20 mm.^{[7]
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- If all the other qualities of the pearl are identical, then the size determines the final value.

Method 7

Method 7 of 15:
Opt for round pearls if you want high-end jewelry.

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Pearls are more valuable if they’re perfectly round. Since pearls are made naturally by oysters, they don’t usually have a lot of consistency. Pearls can look oblong or have teardrop shapes, but they won’t be as expensive. If you’re looking for pearls that are a little rarer and pricier, look for spherical ones.^{[9]
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- When they aren’t symmetrical, pearls are referred to as “baroque.”

Method 8

Method 8 of 15:
Watch out for surface imperfections.

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Smooth, clean pearls have a higher value than ones with imperfections. Pearls aren’t always smooth since they’re built up over time and they’re a relatively soft gemstone. If a pearl has bumps, chips, cracks, or any other blemishes on the surface, it won’t be as valuable as one with a smooth finish.^{[10]
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- Small spots on a pearl won’t decrease its value as much as a chip or crack.^{[11]
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Method 9

Method 9 of 15:
Go with high-luster pearls for added value.

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Shiny, reflective pearls cost more than dull or dim varieties. The luster of a pearl is how well it shines and reflects lights. The most expensive pearls have a mirror-like finish with bright and sharp reflections. As pearls appear duller or diffused, their quality and value go down.^{[12]
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Method 10

Method 10 of 15:
Choose which color you like.

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Pearls come in a variety of colors, so choose what you like best. While you may be used to the milky white color of pearls, the colors can vary from blue, green, gold, and even black. Pearls also have iridescent overtones that reflect light in a slightly different color. The color you choose all depends on what you prefer, but rose overtones look best on fair skin and gold tones look best on darker skin.^{[13]
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- If you don’t want a natural-colored pearl, you can also buy them dyed.

Method 11

Method 11 of 15:
Ensure sets of pearls match.

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Strings and strands of pearls should have matching qualities so they look uniform. If you’re buying a strand of pearls, like a bracelet or necklace, ensure that they all share qualities with one another. If they don’t match one another, you’ll save some money but the differences may stand out.^{[14]
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- Since it’s rare to find pearls that look exactly the same, matching sets are more expensive.

Method 12

Method 12 of 15:
Get freshwater pearls for a cost-effective option.

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Freshwater pearls are the most common and most affordable. Freshwater pearls come in a lot of different shapes and colors, but they’re well-known for their warm overtones. While they may not look as glossy or metallic as more expensive varieties, freshwater pearls are still an amazing and attractive option if you’re on a budget.^{[15]
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- Bright and lustrous freshwater pearls are rare, so they’ll cost more money.
- Freshwater pearls start around $50 USD but larger, rounder ones could go for around $2,000 USD.^{[16]
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Method 13

Method 13 of 15:
Pick Akoya pearls to ensure they’re round.

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This variety is made to consistently produce round pearls. Akoya pearls are from Japan and are formed on round pieces of shells, so they’re more likely to stay spherical. They usually come in lustrous pink, silver, white, gold, gray, and blue varieties. They’re a little more expensive than freshwater pearls since they have more consistent shapes.^{[17]
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- Akoya pearls rarely come in colors like black or green. If you see a pearl listed as that color, ask the seller if it was dyed or enhanced before purchasing it.
- Akoya pearls are usually between $300–10,000 USD.^{[18]
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Method 14

Method 14 of 15:
Go with Tahitian pearls for striking dark colors.

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Tahitian pearls naturally have dark hues. Unlike other pearls, the Tahitian variety usually only comes in dark reflective shades like greens, blues, blacks, and purples. They’re the second-most valuable type of pearl grown on farms, so they are a little more expensive than the other varieties.^{[19]
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- Tahitian pearls usually start around $500 USD and can go up to higher than $25,000 USD.^{[20]
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Method 15

Method 15 of 15:
Buy South Sea pearls for the most luxurious look.

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The South Sea varieties are the rarest and most expensive pearls. The White South Sea and Golden South Sea pearls are the most lustrous and largest pearls available. They usually come in creamy white, silver, or gold colors and can be up to 20 mm in diameter. If you’re looking for the most luxurious option, go with either variety.^{[21]
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- South Sea pearls typically come from Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
- South Sea pearls usually range from $1,000 USD to more than $100,000 USD.^{[22]
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Warnings

Avoid websites that don’t offer contact information or have any reputable accreditations since they’re most likely scammers selling fake pearls.^{[24]
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