How to Size Pearls

When you are talking about jewelry, size really does matter. It plays an important role in determining the value of many gemstones, including pearls. On average, pearls can range in size from less than one millimeter to more than 22 millimeters. While you're not likely to find a pearl that will break records, it is important to know how to size pearls so that you make sure you are getting your money's worth, whether you are buying or selling.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape with millimeters

Instructions

1. Hold your pearl still with one hand. With the other, line up the millimeter line of your measuring tape with one edge of the pearl.

2. Measure a round pearl at the thickest part of its diameter. Measure a fancy pearl, or a pearl that is not perfectly round, at the thickest part of its diameter, then from the very tip to the base at its highest point.

3. Express all pearl measurements in millimeters. For measurements lower than 10 mm, round to the nearest 0.25 of a mm (5.25 mm). For measurements greater than 10 mm, round to the nearest 0.1 of a mm (11.2 mm).

Tips & Warnings

• The sizes of pearl strands are expressed by the smallest and the largest pearls on the strand; the are always rounded to the nearest 0.1 of a mm. For instance, the size of a strand of pearls may be expressed as having 7.4 to 12.3 mm pearls.

References

• ShecyPearlJewelry.com: Pearl Size
• AllAboutPearl.com: Pearl Size