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How to Value Antique Cultured Pearls

The only gem to derive from a living creature, archeologists have found evidence of pearls worn as jewelry dating back as far as 3500 B.C. Pearls weren't successfully cultivated -- grown at will - until the early years of the 20th century. For this reason antique jewelry, antique being defined as over a hundred years old, makes use of natural pearls only. But you are likely to come across numerous "almost-antique" cultured pearls from the 1920s and 30s, and there are reliable techniques for valuing them.

Instructions

- 1
  Look first at the pearl's luster, which is a result of a healthy growing cycle in optimum conditions. This can range from a mirror-like brilliance in high-value pearls, to a milky radiance for mid-level pearls and a dull chalky surface for pearls valued at the low end of the market.
- 2
  Examine the pearl's shape. The most desirable pearls are perfectly round. The least desirable have what is known as a "baroque" shape -- this simply means that they have irregular bumps. In between are various semi-baroque shapes, such as the tear-drop.
- 3
  Measure the pearl's size. This can be a very important factor in its value, with examples in the 16- to 18-mm range being worth far more than their 8- to 10-mm counterparts.

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