Freshwater Pearls Earrings
Everyday pearl studs in white or with a warm glow of natural color. Shop High Grade and Gem Grade freshwater studs matched as pairs, from a dainty 4–5mm to the classic 6–7mm, in sterling silver or solid 14k gold settings.
Frequently asked questions
Are freshwater pearl earrings real?
Yes. The pearls are genuine nacre grown by a freshwater mussel. They are cultured, meaning farm-grown, which is true of virtually every real pearl sold today, and each pair ships with a certificate recording its listed specifications.
What size pearl earrings should I choose: 6 mm, 8 mm or 10 mm?
6 mm reads dainty and suits daily wear; 8 mm is the classic stud that covers the centre of the lobe; 10 mm is visibly pearl from across a room. If you are unsure, 7 to 8 mm is the size most people are happy with.
Can I wear pearl earrings in the shower?
No. Soap, hot water and shampoo dull nacre and can loosen the setting. Put pearl earrings on after getting ready and take them off before washing.
Are pearl studs hypoallergenic?
It depends on the post metal, not the pearl. Sterling silver posts suit most people; nickel is the usual cause of reactions. Every stud we sell has a sterling silver post.
How do I clean pearl earrings?
Wipe the pearls with a soft cloth dampened with plain water after wearing, and clean the metal separately. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner, jewellery dips or silver polish on the pearl.
Are pearl earrings a good gift?
Yes, and the safest pearl gift: no sizing, no length, and studs suit nearly every face and outfit. Pearl is the June birthstone and the 30th anniversary stone, which covers two of the usual occasions.
Freshwater pearl earrings: what to know before you buy
Freshwater pearl earrings are the lowest-risk pearl purchase: no length to choose, nothing to size, and a pair of studs suits almost everyone. Ours use the same sorted pearls as our strands, stated to the nearest 0.5 mm and backed by a Certificate of Authenticity that records the listed size, grade and color. Here is what the common search phrases mean for this collection, including the styles we do not make.
Pearl stud earrings
Pearl studs are what we make: one round freshwater pearl on a post, with a setting that sits flat to the lobe. Our studs run from dainty 4–5 mm pairs to full-size 6–7 mm pearls, in plain settings and a haloed setting with a metal rim. A real pearl stud earring is matched as a pair for size, color and luster, which is where most of the sorting work goes.
Pearl drop earrings and pearl hoop earrings
We do not currently carry pearl drop, dangle, teardrop or hoop earrings. The pearls we select are sorted for round and near-round strands and studs, and we would rather list fewer styles than pad the collection.
Real pearl earrings: what to check
A real pearl earring is nacre, not a coated bead. Check the surface under a loupe for the fine platelet texture, look at the post setting for a clean nacre edge rather than a peeling coating, and treat a flawless, perfectly identical pair at a low price as a warning. Our certificate records each pair's listed size, grade and color; it is a seller's document, not an independent appraisal, and no "AAA" label is a standard. The seven tests are in how to tell if pearls are real.
Gold pearl earrings and silver pearl earrings
The metal in a pearl earring is the post and setting. Our studs are made in sterling silver or gold-plated sterling silver, and every post is sterling silver. Silver suits white pearls with a cool overtone; gold suits the rose and cream overtones most freshwater pearls carry.
Small, large and big pearl earrings: 6 mm, 8 mm and 10 mm
| Pearl size | How it reads |
|---|---|
| 5–6 mm | Small pearl earrings: dainty, everyday, often a first pair |
| 7–8 mm | The classic stud size; covers the centre of the lobe |
| 9–10 mm | Large pearl earrings: visibly pearl across a room |
| 11 mm and up | Big pearl earrings; rare in freshwater at round quality |
Sizes are stated to the nearest 0.5 mm and measured at the widest point. What each millimetre looks like, and why price rises faster than size, is in pearl sizes explained.
White pearl earrings, pink pearl earrings and treated colors
White with a rose or cream overtone is the natural color of most freshwater pearls, and it is what most of our studs are; the exception is the 6–7 mm gold stud, an Edison pearl in its natural champagne gold. Pink and purple occur naturally but are often enhanced. Black freshwater pearls are always dyed or irradiated, and a deep, uniform gold on an ordinary freshwater pearl usually is too. Our gold studs are Edison pearls in their natural color, never dyed, and each product page says so. The complete list is in pearl colors explained.
Cultured pearl earrings and natural pearl earrings
Every pearl earring sold new today is cultured: a farmer started the pearl and the mollusk grew it from nacre. A natural pearl earring would be an antique or an auction piece. Ordinary freshwater pearls are solid nacre with no bead at the core, and Edison pearls carry 2 mm or more of nacre over a small bead, so a stud has nothing to wear through. The difference between cultured, natural and imitation is explained in are freshwater pearls real?.
Pearl wedding earrings and pearl bridal earrings
For a wedding, a 7–8 mm pearl stud in silver or gold to match the dress hardware is the safe choice, and it matches a pearl strand without competing with it. Studs also make the easiest bridesmaid gift, because nothing has to be sized. Matching necklaces and bracelets in the same pearl size make a set.