A single strand of pearls has timeless elegance. When you opt for a single strand of pearls, it leaves no question about what you’re wearing, and the piece’s simplicity allows it to be worn for almost any occasion. A single-strand pearl necklace is a simple necklace made from one string of natural or cultured pearls.
When buying a single-strand necklace, you’ll want to decide whether you want a natural pearl or a cultured pearl. The natural pearls come from saltwater oysters, while the cultured pearls are made by inserting a foreign object in an oyster and allowing the oyster’s enzymes to form a pearl around it. In general, cultured pearls tend to be more uniform and rounder than natural pearls, but some cultured pearls look very similar to wild.
Buying guide for the Best Single Pearl Necklace
Pearls are not created equally. The beauty of pearls ranges from creamy white to golden yellow, and all types of pearls have their unique beauty. There are also south sea pearls and the Tahitian pearls varieties. For this, one should be well-informed about the various types of pearls to buy the best pearls for oneself. Depending on what you’re planning to wear your single strand necklace with, you may want a pair that is more complementary to it. Here are some points to consider:
Color, Luster, and Nacre
The three main characteristics that can affect the beauty of a pearl are color, luster, and nacre.
Color refers to the hue of the pearl. You may want pearls with either a pink or silver tint depending on your preference. Combined with their high luster, these colors make them look very appealing.
Luster is the appearance of a pearl’s surface. The high luster pearls have a very reflective and shiny surface, while the low luster pearls have a more matte appearance. Generally, high luster pearls tend to be more expensive than soft luster pearls because it takes more time and resources for a pearl to reach its high luster.
Nacre is the inner layer of a pearl’s shell. The thicker the nacre, the more beautiful and lustrous the pearl will be. A thick nacre enhances the color and luster of pearls, making them look brighter and smoother than pearls with thin nacres.
Size
The size of a pearl is essential, but it’s not as big as you think. The size will only affect how your necklace dangles or sways as you move around. The bigger the pearls on your single strand necklace are, the more prominent they’ll be, and it can affect how noticeable your chain is throughout the day. A single strand of round pearls without any other adornment can sometimes look too plain, making it hard to notice. That’s why having big pearls on your necklace may make it harder for you to blend with your outfit.
Type of Clasp
The size of your pearls is essential, but so is the clasp on your necklace. Depending on the size and thickness of your pearls, you may want a different type of clasp to hold them together.
Reviews of the Best Pearl Necklaces
1. Freshwater Cultured Pearl and Diamond Pendant
An opulent and luxurious way to accessorize your outfit. The necklace is a single strand with a sterling silver lobster claw clasp. The pearl jewelry can be fastened at either 16 or 18 inches, making it versatile and perfect for wearing with most outfits. The pearls are 8-8.5mm in size, which means they will stand out well but won’t look too big on smaller people. It has a shiny surface with no visible imperfections, meaning the pearls were carefully selected and should last a long time.
The clasp is tiny but secure, meaning it will hold the pearls in place even if you’re playing around with them or moving about during physical activity. The black diamond accents mean the necklace has some sparkle, making it look luxurious and upscale. This type of clasp compliments the chain and makes it stand out as expensive, but it also looks like something you can wear casually without feeling you’re wearing something too dressy.
Since its made of 14k white gold, the pearl necklace is very durable. As such, it should last for many years, even with everyday wear and tear. The metal – see also bronze necklaces – will not tarnish over time like sterling silver sometimes does. The rhodium coating also means the metal won’t spoil, and the necklace will look new for longer.
Pros
- Sparkly diamond accents
- Secure lobster claw clasp
- Durable white gold material
- Can be fastened at 16 or 18 inches
Cons
- The lobster clasp could be small
2. Cultured Pearl Necklace 1/10 ct tw Diamonds Sterling Silver 18″
The cultured pearl necklace has Multi-Color Cultured fine Freshwater Pearls. Its set with Sterling Silver Clasp from Bseals is a perfect setting for those who want to have more than one color of pearls. The necklace is made of 8-8.5mm cultured freshwater pearls. Its length is 18 inches; hence it will fit anyone from children to adults.
The chain is not too long, and it’s not too short. It’s just the perfect length for single-strand necklaces. The stones are graded AA, so they’re very high in quality, and it shows when you look at them with a microscope up close. They have a bright reflective surface which enhances their color making them look very lovely. The quality is outstanding, and the clasp holds it together with no concerns of falling apart or losing pearls which could hurt children playing with it.
The 18” cable chain is secured with a sterling silver lobster clasp. The lobster clasp is very functional and easy to open and close, although it’s a bit small. This type of clasp is typically used for bracelets or watches, but some people use it on necklaces. It doesn’t stand out, nor does it look appealing, which means you can use this necklace with any outfit without looking out of place. The color and clarity mean this necklace has no imperfections, making it look great up close. It does not have any visible inclusions, which means the pearls are very high quality and should last long.
Pros
- High-quality pearls
- Long-lasting
- Great for any outfit
- Diverse colors allow you to select your favorite
Cons
- Somewhat small lobster clasp
3. Cultured Pearl Necklace Diamond Accent Sterling Silver
This classic pearl necklace is a single-strand necklace with a pearl in the center. It has a sterling silver diamond-encrusted clasp, making it look even more elegant. The cultured freshwater pearl is 9 – 9.5mm making it big enough to stand out but small enough to be worn by almost anyone from children to adults. The Pavé-set round diamond accents add a touch of sparkle to the pearl, making it look gorgeous. It also means they’re inlaid into the metal for a secure hold.
The 18” freshwater cultured pearl is securely set on the necklace’s sterling silver diamond-encrusted fancy clasp. This type of clasp can stand out and look appealing; it also shows if the piece of jewelry is expensive or not. Since the surface of this pearl is not shiny, people will notice that there is something special about it right away. The clasp is relatively tiny, but it holds the pearls together. The diamonds on the clasp spell out ‘simply elegant,’ and they’re only noticeable up close, making it perfect for any outfit.
The Modern Legacy collection is a trendy and modern take on pearls. The sterling silver is electroplated with rhodium, making it feel like real silver preventing tarnishing. It comes with a certificate of authenticity in a simple box, making this necklace perfect for gift giving or as a treat for yourself.
Pros
- Perfect size pearl
- Elegant and stylish
- Comes with a certificate of authenticity
- It is electroplated with rhodium
Cons
- Can tarnish if the rhodium plating is scratched off over time
4. Freshwater Cultured Pearl Necklace White Topaz Sterling Silver
The freshwater-perfect pearl necklace comes with a lobster claw clasp. It’s a single strand that enhances versatility and can be fastened to 18 inches. The pearl is 8-8.5mm in size, which means it will stand out but not look too big on smaller people. There are no visible imperfections, meaning the pearls were very carefully selected.
Sterling silver is rhodium plated, making it look like real silver and preventing tarnishing over time. It’s a versatile necklace that can be worn with almost any outfit; the sterling silver lobster claw clasp means you can wear it at 16 or 18 inches to suit your neckline. The classic white pearls are paired with beautiful white topaz accents, making this pearl necklace stylish and timeless. The metal will not tarnish over time like sterling silver sometimes does, and the rhodium coating also means it won’t spoil.
They either come in cultured black, chocolate, golden, or pink. These pearls are dyed, so they’re not naturally white. They come with a certificate of authenticity. They are easy to care for since you only need to wipe them with a soft cloth to clean them.
Pros
- Sparkly diamond accents
- Durable rhodium plated silver material
- Stylish and timeless classic style
- Can be fastened at 16 or 18 inches
Cons
- All pearls are dyed
5. Cultured Pearl Beaded Y Necklace Sterling Silver
The cultured pearl beads necklace comes with a lobster claw clasp and adjustable necklace length from 18 inches. It’s made of sterling silver and features rhodium-plated metal, which means it will look like real silver and not tarnish over time. The pearls are individually knotted at the back for added durability, so there are no sagging or breakages.
There are no visible imperfections, meaning the pearls were carefully selected and should last a long time. The beaded design adds some extra style to this pearl necklace, but it also means the pearls are more likely to fall off over time. The metal will not tarnish over time as sterling silver does, and the rhodium coating also means the metal won’t spoil. Their maintenance is easy as you only need to wipe them with a soft cloth.
The lustrous oval cut of the Y necklace gives the necklace a luxurious look, and it’s a versatile style that you can wear with anything from casual outfits to dressier ones. The black diamond accents give the necklace some sparkle, making it look expensive and upscale without being too showy. Moreover, the rhodium coating means the silver won’t tarnish over time and is easy to maintain. It comes packed in a jewelry box, which is a nice touch as it makes it easy to give as a gift.
Pros
- Sparkly diamond accents
- Durable rhodium plated silver material
- Lustrous oval-shaped cultured freshwater pearls
- It has no visible imperfections
Cons
- May belong to those with short necks
FAQ
Q.Are single pearls worth anything?
A. Pearls come from many different sources, and some are more valuable than others. The best single pearls are made from the Akoya oyster, a saltwater species. Akoya pearl necklace has high value because Akoya is rare.
Q. Which brand has the best pearls?
A. A lot of brands sell pearl necklaces, but some are better than others. Any brand that sells high-quality cultured pearls has good quality material. A necklace with 8mm cultivated freshwater pearls is one of the highest qualities you can get on the market today.
Q. What is the most expensive single pearl?
A. Black pearls are rare, which means they are expensive.
They can be 10mm or more significant in size, and the price tops several dollars for one large pearl.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are some excellent single pearl necklaces on the market today (see also necklaces with a cross pendant). They all have beautiful qualities that make them worth buying, and it mostly depends on your tastes when deciding which one is best for you.
