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Pearls are a beautiful gift from nature. They are made of oysters, mussels, and clams. Although we mostly associate pearls with the color white, pearls come in various colors. They also come in various sizes and different spherical shapes. In fact, to some cultures, pearls represent wisdom, serenity, purity, and integrity.
Pearl jewelry is a timeless classic that can be worn by people of every age. Pearl drop earrings will bring a touch of elegance to your wardrobe, and you can wear them daily or save them for special occasions. They also make wonderful gifts for those around you.
There are many pearl drop earrings on the market to choose from. To help you find your perfect pair, we will discuss some factors you may want to consider before you make a purchase.
Before you delve into your own research, though, take advantage of ours and check out our list of the top pearl drop earrings in 2024 below!
Detailing the Top Pearl Drop Earrings of 2024
PAVOI Earrings — Best Overall
Key Features
- AAA+ rated pearls
- Available with different pearl sizes
- Available in white or yellow gold earrings
- 90-day money-back guarantee
These beautiful pearl drop earrings are available in five different pearl sizes. The pearls have been hand-picked and cultivated in freshwater and each have a rating of AAA, the highest rating a pearl can receive.
The pearls come on either white gold plated or yellow gold plated earrings, with the back of the earrings made from sterling silver, so you do not need to worry about having an allergic reaction.
This American-owned company offers a no-questions-asked 90-day money-back guarantee. These elegant earrings will make the perfect gift for any special woman in your life or even a great heirloom to pass from mother to daughter.
ZowBinBin Earrings — Runner-Up
Key Features
- Available in gold or silver
- Choose from synthetic or real pearl
- With or without cubic zirconia
- Comes in a beautiful gift box
Available with black or white pearls, the earrings are silver plated and hypoallergenic. They come in a yellow gold look, a rose gold look, or traditional silver. You even have the choice of multiple faux diamonds, one diamond, or no diamonds.
Choose between three different pearls, including synthetic or natural freshwater pearls. With so many options to choose from, you are certain to find a pair of pearl drop earrings within this selection that perfectly suits your style and tastes.
Plus, these earrings come in a beautiful gift box and will make an excellent gift for any special woman in your life.
Splendid Pearls Earrings — Contender
Key Features
- Available in different colors
- Freshwater cultivated pearls
- Sterling silver earrings
- Lever-back closure
These beautiful pearl earrings are made from 925 sterling silver with lever-back closure. Made from freshwater cultivated pearls, they are available in several colors including black, brown, green, gray, lavender, pink, or white. You could choose your favorite color, or purchase a different pair for every day of the week!
These fabulous drop pearl earrings are elegant in their simplicity and even come in a beautiful gift box that makes them an excellent gift for a friend, loved one, or even as a gift to yourself. Splendid Pearls has been selling jewelry in America for 30 years and is so confident in their product that they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you’re not satisfied.
The Pearl Source Earrings — Honorable Mention
Key Features
- Made from freshwater pearls
- Earrings include cubic zirconia stones
- Made from sterling silver and are nickel-free
- Comes with a gift box
These beautiful earrings are made from freshwater pearls and sterling silver hooks. They also have beautiful and clear cubic zirconia stones above the pearls, meaning they will suit several looks, from traditional to modern.
They are nickel-free and suitable for those who usually suffer from allergies and sensitive skin. Plus, the earrings are durable and you can easily squeeze the hoops to make them a little tighter, if you need to, without damaging them.
They make an excellent gift to surprise a partner or family member, whether it be for birthdays, anniversaries, or other special occasions.
OneSight Earrings — Also Consider
Key Features
- AAA-rated cultivated freshwater pearls used
- Sturdy hook fastenings made from sterling silver
- A gold-plated option is also available
- Black or white pearls are available
The freshwater pearls in these earrings come in natural white or natural black, so there is something to suit every taste. We love the classic white pearls but for something a bit different, you may want to purchase the black set. Plus, the earrings also come gold-plated, so they couldn’t be any cuter.
The pearls used are AAA-rated, have an excellent luster, and were handpicked. Available in different lengths, you’ll be sure to find a length you like. We love that they also are blemish-free and don’t tarnish easily.
What’s more, these earrings are of excellent quality and highly durable, yet they still come with a 180-day money-back guarantee just in case you’re not completely satisfied.
Buyer's Guide: Finding the Perfect Pair of Pearl Drop Earrings
Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Pair of Pearl Drop Earrings
Now you’ve seen our fabulous selection of the top earrings in 2024, you may feel inspired to do your own research. Continue reading to see the things you should consider before you invest in a new pair of pearl drop earrings.
Pearl color
Pearls come in different colors naturally. The main colors are cream, gray, or white. Some rarer colors include purple, pink, black, blue champagne, and lavender. If you find an extremely cheap pair and a rare color, it could be that the pearl has been dyed. You can contact the retailer to find out if this is the case.
Cultured or natural
Natural pearls are found in the wild, while cultured pearls are farmed. Cultured pearls are the cheaper option out of the two and the most common. There isn’t much of a difference in appearance between the two. However, you may like the thought of a pearl being natural as opposed to manmade.
Pearl size
Pearls come in various sizes. It is a good idea to have a pearl and earring size in mind before you shop. This will speed the process up and narrow down your options.
Pearl shape
Pearls also come in different shapes. Mostly spherical, but some are longer or thinner than others. If you want something a little more unusual than the round shape, you should look for baroque pearls or Keshi pearls.
Luster
When shopping for pearl drop earrings, you will find that the luster of a pearl is mentioned often. This refers to how reflective the pearl’s surface is. Higher-quality pearls will generally have more luster and thus look prettier.
Drop earring length
Consider how long you want your earrings to be. The more specific you can be when searching for your earrings the better.
Pearl type
There are four main types of pearls that are used in jewelry. If you like the description of any of the following types of pearls, you can begin your search with that type of pearl earring. The four types of pearls include:
- Freshwater: Freshwater pearls are produced by freshwater mussels. They are often farmed in ponds, rivers, and freshwater lakes. They are mostly white, but sometimes lilac, pink, or peach. If you come across real dyed pearls, it is probably this type of pearl that has been used. Freshwater pearls are not always round but can come in flat shapes, too.
- Akoya pearls: Ayoka pearls are inherently round and have a strong luster. Their color is mostly white or gray, with green, pink, or silver overtones.
- Tahitian Pearls: Tahitian pearls are also known as black pearls. This name is a little misleading, however, because these pearls can range in color from dark green and navy to gray and, as the name suggests, deep black.
- Golden or white south sea pearls: These pearls have thick skin and a luster that is more satin than shine. The golden color is currently more valuable than the white south sea pearl.
Pearl rating system
Pearls are rated from A to AAA. The more A’s, the better the pearl quality of your earring. Read below to see what each rating means.
- A: When a pearl has been rated with a single “A,” it means its quality is not great. The pearl may have a visible nucleus and not match the other pearl earring in appearance. The surface of the pearl will look a little chalky and lack a lot of luster. The blemish rate is less than 30%.
- AA: An AA rating on a pearl means you can see the nucleus upon close inspection. The luster is good but with blurred satiny edges. The blemish rate is a little lower, at between 15-20%. There will be little variation in shape and color.
- AA+: AA+ rating pearls are thick and you cannot see the nucleus. The pearl has a high luster and sharp reflection. The blemish rate of the pearls is only between 5-10%. The pearls will be a great match.
- AAA: AAA-rated pearls are the best you can get. The pearl will be extremely thick, and the pearls will match with no visible differences, while the blemish rate will be 5% or under. Pearls with this rating will be very high in luster, with reflections so sharp you will be able to see your own reflection on their surface.
Sustainability
For sustainability reasons, it is better to purchase a cultivated pearl instead of a natural pearl. Natural pearls are taken from the ocean, whereas a cultivated pearl is taken from a mollusk that is protected and used to create a pearl multiple times.
Metal type
Consider which type of metal you would prefer for your earrings; you may want to look for sterling silver, yellow gold, rose gold, or white gold. If you have sensitive skin or allergies, ensure the earrings you choose are nickel-free.
Authenticity
Wherever you purchase your pearls from should have evidence that they are real pearls (if that’s what you are told you’re buying). You can usually ask to see a certificate for assurance.
Faux pearls
You may prefer to purchase faux pearl drop earrings. Some vegans don’t want to wear animal products; plus, they are also cheaper.
Customer reviews
Before you purchase a set of pearl drop earrings online, it is wise to read the accompanying customer reviews. Choose a pair of earrings that have great customer reviews and avoid any products with mostly bad reviews.
Pearl Drop Earrings Price Range
For real pearl earrings, budget between $90 and $1,300. Natural pearls cost way more than cultured pearls. For faux pearl drop earrings, you can spend as little as $5 to as much as $30.
