Akoya Pearls For the Bride - Getting the Perfect Shade of Wedding Pearls

For the bride who is a perfectionist, white pearls aren't just white. There are many subtle color variations in the highest quality saltwater pearls. Demystify the professional terms used by your jeweler so you get the perfect shade of color in your bridal pearl jewelry.

Color of Akoya Pearls

Pearl color isn't as simple to define as the color of other gems. Pearls look different according to the lighting and the background they are placed on. Presuming you've already decided on Akoya pearls because of their extraordinary luster, here's a clarification of the terms used to describe their color, a list of colors they come in, and some suggestions on how to avoid unpleasant surprises due to different lighting outside the jewelry shop.

The exact color of pearls is described in two parts:
The body color The overtone or iridescence

Pearl Body Color is divided into:
Hue: This refers to the basic sensation of color when you look at the pearls. Intensity: This refers to the lightness or darkness of the color. Saturation: This refers to the purity of the color.

Akoya cultured pearls are most commonly available in a neutral white hue or a cream hue. However, dark cream, yellow and golden hues are also found. Grey Akoya pearls sometimes occur naturally, and on occasion blue Akoyas are seen, but black Akoya pearls are never found naturally. They are color treated to achieve the black hue. White Akoyas are bleached to remove discolorations and after bleaching their natural overtone becomes apparent.

Pearl Overtone

Overtone is an almost transparent color that appears to float like a small circle on the surface of the pearl. The overtones on Akoya pearls may be pink, blue, green, ivory, or silver. The overtone may be made up of more than one of these colors. The combination of pink and blue overtones give a slightly purplish look that is highly valued. Up to three overtones may be seen in combination on the same pearl.

The overtone depends on the nacre thickness and the arrangement and size of the aragonite platelets that make up the nacre layers. It cannot be artificially reproduced. Orient, which is a rainbow like iridescence, is seldom seen in cultured Akoya pearls, being found more often in natural pearls and baroque shaped cultured pearls.

Color Changes

Pearls appear to change color when placed on different color surfaces or viewed under different lighting. Natural daylight is the best light to see what color the pearls really are. Direct sunlight is not advised for looking at pearls, but standing by a window on an overcast day should show the pearls true color and characteristics. However, as the light will vary according to latitude and time of day, artificial white light is usually more commonly used thanks to Exquisite Sparkling CZ(zircon) Lady Jewelry Set. For best results, neutral white light with a light color of 4,700 to 5,000 Kelvin is preferable try Wholesale price 925 jewelry set.silver jewelry set.925 silver necklace&bracelet jewelry.fashion jewelry set.Free shipping..

Pearls should always be viewed on a white background to discern the subtle color differences. Even fingerprints can alter the perceived color slightly, so pearls should be clean before choosing the color you prefer.

For wedding pearls, the bride may want to consider the lighting where the ceremony and reception will be held and view the pearls under those lighting conditions before making her final selection.

Having said all that, if you just can't get to a jeweler that has a large stock of Akoya pearls to choose your wedding jewelry from, ask for a pearls with a very high luster in a neutral white hue. You can often specify your preference of overtones, such as ivory, rose' or silver. Purchase your bridal pearls in plenty of time to try them with the dress and see how they look in different lighting conditions. A perfect look is still possible under imperfect conditions.