Pearl and Gemstone Jewellery: The Complete Guide to Stones, Meanings, Care and Gifting

Most jewellery boxes have one piece that gets worn far more than the rest. For a lot of people that piece is a pearl: a pair of drop earrings, or a bracelet with one coloured stone that matches nearly everything. Pearls and gemstones have been worn together for centuries because they balance each other. The pearl is soft and pale, the stone brings the colour, and the silver holds them both without competing.

I'm Chloe, and I founded Grainvity in 2022. Our jewellery collection is 25 pieces of pearl and gemstone jewellery, all made with freshwater pearls and 925 sterling silver. This guide brings together everything we get asked about it: what the pearls are, what the stones mean, what "925" actually tells you, how to pick a size, how to care for it, and how to choose it as a gift. Each section links to a deeper guide if you want more detail.

In short: pearl and gemstone jewellery combines real pearls, usually freshwater cultured pearls, with natural coloured stones such as lapis lazuli, citrine, amethyst, clear quartz or moss agate, set in silver or gold. Choose the stone by colour first and meaning or birthstone second. Choose 925 sterling silver for everyday wear. Pearls are soft (2.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale), so put them on last, take them off first and wipe them after wearing.

What is pearl and gemstone jewellery?

Pearl and gemstone jewellery is any piece that sets pearls alongside polished or rough-cut gemstones. The most common forms are beaded bracelets, drop earrings and necklaces where pearls and stones alternate along a strand or hang together from one hook.

The two materials are very different. A gemstone is a mineral (or, in the case of amber, a fossilised resin) that has been cut and polished. A pearl is organic: it grows inside a living mollusc, layer by layer, from a material called nacre. That difference is why they look so good together, and also why they need slightly different care.

Pearls: the part every piece has in common

Freshwater vs saltwater pearls

Almost every pearl sold today is cultured, which means a pearl farmer starts the process and the mollusc does the rest. The main types, as described by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), are:

• Freshwater pearls: grown in mussels in lakes and rivers, mainly in China. They come in a wide range of shapes and soft natural colours and are generally the most affordable real pearls.
• Akoya pearls: small, round saltwater pearls from Japan and China, the classic "string of pearls".
• Tahitian pearls: dark saltwater pearls from French Polynesia, in grey, green and peacock tones.
• South Sea pearls: the largest saltwater pearls, white or golden, from Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines, and usually the most expensive.

All of our pearls are freshwater pearls. That keeps real pearl jewellery in sterling silver affordable, and freshwater pearls are often almost solid nacre, which gives them a good glow for their price.

What is a baroque pearl?

A baroque pearl is a real pearl with an irregular, non-symmetrical shape. GIA lists baroque among the basic pearl shapes alongside round, near-round, button, drop and oval. Freshwater pearls are often baroque because they usually grow without a round bead at the centre. Ten of our 25 pieces are made with baroque pearls, and no two of them are identical.

Read more: Baroque Pearls: What They Are and How to Wear Them.

White, grey and black pearls

Freshwater pearls grow naturally in white, cream, pink and lavender tones. Grey and black freshwater pearls are usually colour-treated, while naturally dark pearls are most often Tahitian saltwater pearls. We use white and soft grey pearls. Grey pearls are cooler and more modern than white, and they work particularly well with warm stones like citrine, as in our Citrine & Grey Pearl Bracelet.

How to tell if a pearl is real

Rub the pearl gently along the edge of your front teeth. A real pearl feels slightly gritty because of its layered nacre surface. A glass or plastic bead feels perfectly smooth. Real pearls also feel cool and slightly heavy at first touch, and on a strand of real baroque pearls each one is a little different.

Gemstones: meanings by colour

Most people choose a gemstone by colour and read about its meaning afterwards, so here they are grouped by colour. The meanings are the ones traditionally associated with each stone in folklore and jewellery history. They're a lovely reason to choose a piece or give it as a gift, but they aren't medical or scientific claims.

Blue gemstones: lapis lazuli, aquamarine and blue apatite

Lapis lazuli is a deep royal blue stone, often flecked with gold-coloured pyrite, and has been mined in Afghanistan for thousands of years. It is traditionally associated with wisdom and truth, and it is the stone we use most: five of our bracelets feature it. Aquamarine is the pale sea-blue birthstone for March, traditionally linked with calm and the sea. Blue apatite is a brighter, almost tropical blue, traditionally associated with focus and inspiration.

Green gemstones: moss agate, amazonite and prehnite

Moss agate is a clear or milky stone with green, plant-like markings inside, traditionally associated with growth and new beginnings. Amazonite is a soft mint to sea-green, traditionally linked with harmony. Prehnite is a pale, translucent spring-leaf green, traditionally associated with peace.

Warm gemstones: citrine, amber and Persian red agate

Citrine is golden-yellow quartz and one of the birthstones for November, traditionally known as a stone of abundance. Amber is fossilised tree resin rather than a mineral, so it is very light to wear, and it has long been associated with warmth and good fortune. Persian red agate is a deep, rich red, traditionally associated with courage.

Purple gemstones: amethyst

Amethyst is purple quartz and the birthstone for February. Its name comes from the Greek for "not intoxicated", and it is traditionally associated with calm and clear thinking.

Clear and black: clear quartz, white crystal and black tourmaline

Clear quartz is colourless and bright, traditionally associated with clarity. Black tourmaline is glossy and opaque, long thought of as a protective stone, and tourmaline is one of October's birthstones. Worn together with pearls they make a sharp black-and-white look, as in our Clear Quartz & Black Tourmaline Baroque Pearl Bracelet.

Read more: Pearl and Gemstone Bracelets: What Each Stone Means and How to Choose.

Birthstones: which stones match which month?

Several of the stones above are official birthstones on the GIA birthstone list, and pearl is one of the birthstones for June:

• February: amethyst
• March: aquamarine
• June: pearl
• October: tourmaline
• November: citrine

Because every piece in our collection includes pearls, a pearl and amethyst bracelet, for example, covers both a February and a June birthday. Lapis lazuli, moss agate and amazonite are not official birthstones, so for the other months choose by favourite colour instead.

What does 925 sterling silver mean?

925 sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. Pure silver is too soft for jewellery that gets worn every day, and the small amount of copper makes it strong enough to hold clasps, hooks and wire. In the UK, The Assay Office sets the sterling standard at 925 parts per thousand, and a hallmark is legally required on silver items weighing 7.78 grams or more. Most beaded bracelets and earrings weigh less than that, so look for a "925" stamp or a clear description from the seller.

Sterling silver does darken over time when it meets air and moisture. That is normal, it isn't a sign of poor quality, and it polishes off with a silver cloth.

Choosing the right piece: bracelet, earrings or necklace

• Gemstone bracelets are the easiest way to wear colour every day, and they stack well with a watch. They need a wrist size, so they are the one piece where you need to measure.
• Pearl drop earrings are the easiest gift, because there is no size to guess. A plain baroque pearl pair, like our Baroque Pearl Silver Earrings, goes with everything. Gemstone drops such as the Moss Agate & Pearl Drop Earrings add colour near the face.
• A pearl and gemstone necklace is the statement piece. Our Baroque Pearl, Clear Quartz & Citrine Necklace is 48cm, which sits just below the collarbone on most people.

How to find your bracelet size

Wrap a soft tape measure, or a strip of paper you then lay against a ruler, around your wrist just below the wrist bone. Add about 1cm for a close fit or 1.5cm for a little movement. A 15cm wrist usually suits a 16cm bracelet. Beaded bracelets sit slightly tighter than chains of the same length, so if you're between sizes, go up. If you're buying a gift and can't measure, 16cm suits the most wrists, or choose the stretch-fit version of the Persian Red Agate Bracelet.

How to care for pearl and gemstone jewellery

The pearls and the softer stones decide how you look after a mixed piece. On the Mohs hardness scale, pearls are about 2.5 to 4.5, amber about 2 to 2.5 and lapis lazuli about 5 to 5.5. Quartz stones such as amethyst, citrine and clear quartz are 7, and aquamarine is 7.5 to 8. A pearl can be scratched by the stone sitting next to it, which is why storage matters.

1. Last on, first off. GIA's pearl care guide lists perfume, hairspray, cosmetics and perspiration among the things that dull pearls, so put your jewellery on after them.
2. Keep it dry. Take it off before showering, swimming, washing up or exercising.
3. Wipe after wearing with a soft, dry cloth.
4. Store pieces separately in soft pouches so harder stones and metal can't scratch the pearls.
5. Polish the silver only. Use a silver cloth on the metal parts, and never put pearl jewellery in silver dip or an ultrasonic cleaner.

Pearl and gemstone jewellery as a gift

Pearl and gemstone jewellery is one of the easiest gifts for women to get right, because it comes with a story. A birthstone, a favourite colour or a meaning that fits the moment gives you something to write in the card. A few ideas:

• Birthdays: match the birthstone, or pearl for June.
• New job or fresh start: citrine, traditionally the stone of abundance.
• Weddings and bridesmaids: the all-white Baroque Pearl & White Crystal Bracelet.
• Christmas: deep red agate or royal blue lapis looks rich against winter knits and velvet.
• Under £100: the Baroque Pearl Silver Earrings, Amazonite & Pearl Drop Earrings or Moss Agate & Pearl Bracelet.

For more gift ideas, see our Christmas gift ideas for her.

How we make our pearl and gemstone jewellery

Every piece starts with the pearls and stones themselves. Because baroque pearls and natural stones vary, the colour, size and shape of the piece you receive will differ slightly from the photos, and no two bracelets are exactly alike. All metal parts are 925 sterling silver.

If you'd like help choosing a stone or a size, email us at support@grainvity.com. Grainvity is based in Lincolnshire, UK, and ships to the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Singapore, the Gulf states and South Africa.

Frequently asked questions

What is pearl and gemstone jewellery?

It is jewellery that combines real pearls with natural coloured gemstones, such as lapis lazuli, citrine or amethyst, usually set in silver or gold. The pearls add a soft glow and the stones add colour.

Are freshwater pearls real pearls?

Yes. Freshwater pearls are real cultured pearls grown in freshwater mussels, mostly in China. They are generally the most affordable type of real pearl and are often almost solid nacre.

What is the best gemstone to pair with pearls?

Lapis lazuli is the classic choice because deep blue and white is such a strong contrast. Citrine and amber make pearls look warmer, green stones like moss agate feel natural and earthy, and clear quartz adds sparkle without colour.

Is 925 sterling silver good quality?

Yes. 925 sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver, the UK legal standard for sterling. It is strong enough for everyday jewellery and will last for years if you store it in a pouch and polish it occasionally.

Can you wear pearl and gemstone jewellery every day?

Yes, if you follow "last on, first off". Put it on after perfume and make-up, take it off before water and exercise, and wipe it with a soft cloth after wearing.

Which gemstones are birthstones?

According to GIA, amethyst is February's birthstone, aquamarine March's, pearl June's, tourmaline October's and citrine November's. All of these appear in the Grainvity jewellery collection.

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