What Pearls are Most Popular?

From our years and years in the jewelry business I think it accurate to say there are two factors governing Pearl popularity:  Personal tastes, and budget.  That is just our opinion, but we see the theme played out often over time.
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We discuss types of Pearls in detail in other posts, just search "Pearls" from any of our Search Boxes to find these in our Jewelry Blog.  But to quickly recap the two basic types of Pearls are those grown in freshwater and those grown in salt water.  Pearls grown in freshwater mollusks mature faster and are larger.  Pearls grown in salt water mollusks have a range of sizes, but take much longer to reach maturity, hence, salt water Pearls have a higher price.  Of the variables used to determine Pearl value, the most discerning is luster.  The outer brilliance of the Pearl.  Freshwater Pearls tend to have a softer luster; salt water Pearls achieve - in almost every category - a much higher luster.  So in order of "Popularity" for the budget minded, assuming average to high grading:  

• Freshwater Pearls;
• Small to Medium (5mm - 7mm) Salt Water Akoya Pearls;
• smaller Salt Water Tahitian Pearls;
• smaller Salt Water South Sea Pearls;
• large to very large (7mm - 9+mm) Salt Water Akoya Pearls;
• Large Salt Water Tahitian Pearls;
• Large Salt Water South Sea Pearls;
• Salt Water South Sea Golden Pearls.  

Where budget isn't an issue:

Large South Sea Golden Pearls
Large South Sea White Pearls
Large Tahitian Pearls 
Large and Very Large Akoya Pearls

The universal popularity of Akoya Pearls cannot be overstated.  They are the "mainstream" of the Cultured Pearl trade.  Mikimoto Pearls, for example, are typically regarded as the best-of-the-best Akoya Pearls, and are usually marketed in the small to medium Akoya Pearl range.

Akoya pearls typically range in size from 5 mm to 9 mm in diameter. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

• Small Akoya pearls: 5 mm to 6 mm
• Medium Akoya pearls: 6 mm to 7 mm
• Large Akoya pearls: 7 mm to 8 mm
• Very large Akoya pearls: 8 mm to 9 mm

While Akoya pearls can occasionally be found outside this size range, pearls larger than 9 mm are quite rare and usually more expensive. The most common and classic sizes for Akoya pearl necklaces are around 6 mm to 7.5 mm due to their balance of size, elegance, and affordability.