AKOYA PEARLS – Pearl Sizes

Akoya Pearls range in size from as small as 3.0mm to as large as 9.5mm. Pearls below 7.0mm are considered small in size. 7.0mm until 8.0mm are generally the most popular pearl sizes selected for necklaces, while anything above 8.0mm is considered to be more rare and valuable, especially in the higher qualities.

FRESHWATER PEARLS – Pearl Sizes

Freshwater pearls typically range in size from 5mm to 12mm, though occasionally some larger sizes can be found. Freshwater pearls below 7mm are considered small in size. 7mm until 9mm are generally the most popular sizes selected for necklaces, while anything above 10mm is considered to be more rare and valuable, especially in the higher qualities.

Typically the larger the freshwater pearl, the more difficult it is to find a round, lustrous pearl in that size. This is especially the case in pearls over 10mm in size.

SOUTH SEA PEARLS – Pearl Sizes

South Sea pearls dominate the pearl world in size, and are generally found between 9mm and 15mm, though some pearls can the most as large as 20mm in size! These larger and extremely rare pearls are extremely valuable, especially in the higher qualities. Pearls below 10mm are typically considered small in size.

10mm until 12mm are generally the most popular sizes selected for necklaces, while anything above 13mm is considered to be larger, rarer, and more valuable. South Sea pearl necklaces often graduate in size, though The Pearl Source offers both graduated and non-graduated pearl necklaces. None of our graduated necklaces graduate by more than 3 millimeters. They graduate slowly and evenly in size from the smallest-size pearls in the back to the largest in the front of the necklace.

TAHITIAN PEARLS – Pearl Sizes

Tahitian pearls generally range in size from as small as 8mm to as large as 16mm. Pearls below 10mm are typically considered small in size. 10mm until 12mm are generally the most popular sizes selected for necklaces, while anything above 13mm is considered to be larger, rarer, and more valuable, especially in the higher qualities.

Tahitian pearl necklaces often graduate in size, though The Pearl Source offers both graduated and non-graduated pearl necklaces. None of our graduated necklaces graduate by more than 3 millimeters. They graduate slowly and evenly in size from the smallest-size pearls in the back to the largest in the front of the necklace.

Pearl Sizing

Infographic by The Pearl Source