Pearls are some of the most versatile gems around. They come in myriad qualities, colors, shapes and sizes. What’s there not to like about pearls? Although technically an organic gem, pearls have a more feminine appeal then fossil gems and can be worked into most any design. The range of qualities is so vast in pearls that even though lay people can quickly pick up the 4 Cs, pearl grading is something entirely different, yet oh so obvious to the eye.
Pearl rings are some of the most feminine pieces of jewelry around. They are quite different from gemstone rings in that they have a more organic look to them. Whenever you need to lighten up the hard edges of a ring design you might want to think of how you can mount a pearl on the ring. Pearls are not the most durable of gem materials in comparison to gems that are minerals. Pearls have a soft layer of nacre that can be damaged if given a blow.
Pearls are also affixed differently to a ring. They are actually glued on like this pearl ring on the left and can come off with repeated exposure to water. They are also sensitive to perfumes and other astringents that would not affect other gems. So what is it about pearl rings that makes us want to own them?
One of the qualities of pearls that is a tad bewitching is the pearly luster that you can see in the ring to the left that most women find quite beguiling. The clearer and more mirror like, the better the pearl. The second is the range of colors that pearls come in. A black pearl ring is one of the most beautiful jewelry pieces around and has quite a bewitching quality about it.
Pearls no matter the color pair up very well with all precious metals whether platinum, yellow gold, rose gold, or some of the newer metals like titanium. Pink and peach colored pearls have been quite popular in recent years especially in combination with rose gold. Black pearls on the other hand go very well with white metals like palladium, platinum or white gold.
Then you have the exotic colored pearls like pistachio, chocolate and cinnamon colored Tahitian 
pearl rings that look quite regal when mounted in a well designed ring. Mother of pearl rings round out the budget end of the pearl family which although not technically nacre is still considered pearl material. Mabe pearl rings are what are called cultured blister pearls that are actually formed on the inside of the shell by affixing a “seed” to the inner shell.
A Tahitian pearl ring is in the higher price range as far as pearls go because of their quality, rarity and size. The gold pearl ring is more popular in the far East where skin tones better compliment the golden color of this pearl. Tahitian pearl rings although from the far east have taken up residence in the Americas and Europe as the most popular organic gems mounted in rings.
There are many brides that would prefer a pearl engagement rings but this is simply not practical because of durability issues. Most women who would like a pearl in their engagement ring will typically have it mounted on the shoulders instead of the center and keep their center stone as a diamond. Then there is the pearl diamond ring which has elements of design that marry the hard brilliance of diamonds with the soft elegance of pearls.
Pearls and diamonds have been ideal companions for a long time since they bring their very different qualities to the design table. pearls are organic and flowing and add a sense of openness to ring designs. Diamonds must be positioned carefully and symmetrically so that their game with light can be played to the fullest advantage.
