Choosing the Right Pearl Size by Age Groups
When buying pearls for her, traditionally, certain sizes are more appropriate for certain age groups. But, one of the hottest fashion trends of today is being non-traditional.
Use this pearl sizing chart to help you pick out the right pearl size for your special someone.
So, these “right pearl size” tips are just suggestions. You can look good in just about any size pearl, at just about any age, for pearl earrings, pearl necklaces, pearl bracelets, pearl pendants and other pearl jewelry.
Teens & Younger Teens: 12 to 16 years old & Younger
(delicate small pearls for a delicate teenager)
5-6mm – It is usually bought for young teens. This is because it’s quite small and dainty. Pearls of this size are also cool for very petite women or ladies who simply adore small gems. It gives a gracious, innocent and feminine impression, which suits their appearance.
These size pearls make great gifts for young teens for birthdays, Christmas, academic achievements and coming-of-age celebrations, like bat mitzvahs, confirmations, sweet 16 parties and quinceanera celebrations.
Young adults: 16 to 25 years old
6-7mm – This is the traditionally appropriate size for young ladies between the ages of 16 to 25, and will most often be fresh water pearls as well as Akoya. These pearls are still small enough for a younger aged lady. Yet, they are large enough for an older teen, getting up there in height.
Young women: 25 to 30 years old
7-8 mm – Generally, women over 30 wear these size pearls. It’s a great size for
a young woman looking for a starter pearl necklace. They make you look professional. So, they’re just right for job interviews and as business attire accessories. They make any career woman carry an air of importance. This is basically "The Classic Pearl Necklace", you really can't go wrong here. This size is very elegant and looks great whether you're at the office, shopping at the store, going out to dinner, special occasions, basically this size goes anywhere and everywhere. The nature of the gems here can be any of Akoya, fresh water, Tahitian or South Sea pearls, with the first 2 types being most often found since the later 2 are hard to find in such small sizes.
Young ladies: 30 to 37 years old
8-9 mm – This size range is the beginning of luxury pearl territory. These pearls
will have a nice "heft" to them, and look a tad larger than average for an elegant and glamourous presentation. These will tend to be more Akoya, Tahitian or South Sea pearls, even though top quality Fresh Water pearls are perfectly fine as well.
For women 30 years and older, this is the appropriate traditional size pearl. When crossing over to the rarer, larger harvests, this is the first size in the category. Any pearl size larger than this needs to remain in the oyster much larger. So, this size is more economical for the late 30s woman.
It screams success and can be worn at every occasion from black tie events to summer bar-b-ques. It's also classy, elegant and chic for evening wear pieces.
Ladies: 38 to 45 years old
9-11 mm – For 38 to 45 years old,or for extremely successful 30s women, 9 to 11 mm Freshwater,Tahitian or south sea pearls are preferred. This bringsstyle
and hipness to any attire. Pearl jewelry created with these gems are perfect for upper management and executive women who want to add some kick to their styles. (For a refined, discriminating woman who is serious about her pearls and won't settle for anything but the best. Also a solid choice for a woman on her way into upper management who now needs to notch it up over her well-worn 7-8mm strand.) Buy her pearls this big, and your gift is guaranteed to be a grand slam on Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day or your wedding anniversary.
Venerable ladies: 45 years old and older
Above 11 mm – Venerable pearls for venerable ladies. Bigger pearl strands of 11
mm and up are best for mature ladies of 45 years of age and up, also in the Tahitian and South Sea Pearl varieties even though Akoyas (hard to find in these sizes) and Fresh Water pearl would also fit. These gems, when ticking all the boxes in terms of quality, can be very
expensive. Some women absolutely adore jewelry and for them, the bigger and flashier the pieces are, the better. In this case, Edison, Tahitian or South Sea pearls that are 11 – 15 mm would be the best choice.
