Pearl Buying Guide: Color
Since there is no governing standard for pearl colors, it is important to note the subtle differences between our color denominations.  When you are purchasing a pearl online, it is best to describe and/or know as much as you can about what you want and expect.   As you can see from this photo, there are many different colors, which are subtly, yet definitely, unique.  Note in particular the cherry and the aubergine colors.  An aubergine color will photograph very similar to a cherry, the difference being in the body color of the pearl.  Aubergine exudes a deep purple color from its center, whereas Cherry is almost purely a reddish pink color. Although they both share a reddish pink overtone, the aubergine is decidedly darker and more purple. 


When I choose pearls, I look for those that are really different.  Many people have no idea that Freshwater pearls can naturally be this "Aubergine" color.  I myself was surprised when I saw them, having seen so many treated Freshwater pearls of that hue. 

This is because the Blue and the Pink color bases are opposites, and thereby provide the largest range of color for a single white pearl.   If we call a pearl "Silver" we are not only referring to the overtone, but also the general appearance of the pearl.   "Silver" describes a pearl that is "Mirror" colored.




Cherry:  As previously described, a cherry pearl is one that has a reddish pink body color and a reddish pink overtone.  These pearls look like rosy copper pennies.

Pistachio Pearls:  Similar to the term peacock, "Pistachio" is a term usually used when describing Tahitian pearls.  A Pistachio pearl is one that is mint green; if it does have an overtone it will be subtle, and is generally silver, gold, or rose.  

Aubergine: Yet again, we have another color term that is typically used with Tahitian pearls.  Aubergine is the French word that means "eggplant."  A pearl that is Aubergine is generally the body color of an eggplant, i.e. dark purple.  Usually Aubergine pearls have overtones that are reddish or greenish, they are seldom all dark purple, though it is certainly possible.


Iridescent Blue: 99.9% of the time, "Iridescent Blue"  Freshwater pearls are treated to be this color.  In the world of pearls the word "Iridescent" refers to a rainbow like effect upon a pearl's surface, similar to that of gasoline upon pavement.  At Honest Pearls, all of our pearls are naturally colored.  Thereby our Iridescent Blue pearls are very rare, and seldom match perfectly to one another, due to the nature of the color itself.  If  you imagine the unlikelihood of two snapshots of the different puddles of gasoline having identical swirls of colors, then you will understand why it is so difficult to find two naturally colored iridescent blue pearls that match exactly.  Iridescent blue pearls have a blue to purple body color with a bright green/gold/silver overtone and high luster.

Golden Peach:  Golden Peach pearls are those that are orange/pink body color with a golden overtone.   A "Gold" pearl is a Golden Peach pearl whose golden overtone and luster are so strong that it looks more like 14kt Gold then it does a Peach pearl.

Lavender:  Lavender describes pearls that are a light purple with either a silver, gold, green, or rose overtone.

White Opal: White Opal is a color that is a cousin to Lavender.  This term describes a pearl that is very light purple or blue with sheer lavender and silvery blue overtones.