Pearls come in a wide variety of colors, ranging from white all the way to black. How pearls get their colors has been a mystery for 80 years. Scientists claim that pearl oyster species, the length of cultivating time, water temperature and even the pearl harvest season affect the pearl colors. No one can know the accurate colors before the pearls are removed from the shell.
The same oyster which is implanted with different bead nucleus may produce different pearl colors. Scientists still can’t find the exact answers. Oysters produce almost all colors of pearls. When mention about pearl color, we refer to body color. Body color is the predominant basic color of the pearl. Standard colors from black Tahitian pearls, to the milk white Akoya pearls, to the silver-white South Sea pearls. However, if carefully exam any color of these pearls, you will find their colors can be changed because of the surface reflection. The color range of Tahitian pearls varies from soft silver-gray to deep black, from peacock to green, it is no surprising to find pink, purple refractions at the same time. These refractions are so called overtones. The one or more colors that overlie the body color. On black pearls these colors are usually easiest to see in the lighter areas of the pearl.
Subtle combination of colors such as pink, blue, green and silver are common. Most of refraction of the black pearl color is green or pink. People often describe pearl’s color by using a combination of body color and overtone. On white pearls they are easier to see in the darker areas. For example, peacock Tahitian pearl means black Tahitian pearl with peacock overtone.
Overtone is an important factor to evaluate multicolor pearls (non-white pearls, black pearls for example). Different people have different preference on pearl overtone. White pearls with rose overtone are popular in United States and Japan. In France, people like white pearls with cream overtone. In South America and Spain, yellow and gold pearls are their favorite. Demands for white pearls with rose overtone have been great. So they are more expensive than golden and white pearls. Black Tahitian pearls are costly than traditional pink, lavender or yellow pearls.
There are many colors of pearls: white, gold, silver, pink, red, black, blue, gray and other colors. White with rose overtone is popular and blue-black metallic ribbon is the best. As a matter of fact, there is no high or low for pearl colors. They are all the same. However, the great demand and scarcity for a certain color hike the prices. Even so, the value of color only accounted for 10% for the pearls. Yes, pearl color does affect the price of pearls. This affection is more prominent on saltwater pearl than on freshwater pearl. It differs from type to type. Even pearls in a same category have quite different price level just because of their color. The presence of overtone color can make pearl more valuable. However, pearl jewelry is a decoration to inspire beauty of wearer. It is better to choose suitable one instead of precious one. Your primary concern should be what looks best on you.
