Pearls in Other Shapes

How Many Pearls on a Strand?

Pearls are typically strung on temporary strands measuring 16 inches in length. In metric measurements, this is equivalent to about 400mm. The table below is based on dividing the strand length by the average length on the drilled dimension of the pearl. This table gives you an approximate number of pearls you may expect to see on a typical strand - actual pearl counts can vary from this estimate.

This table does not apply to irregularly shaped pearls (e.g. blister pearls, since the drilled dimension can vary dramatically) or pearls that are not stranded (earring pairs).

Pearl buying tips:

Freshwater Pearls are sold by the strand. Strands are usually 16" long (40 cm), but sometimes can be as short as 15.5". They are temporarily strung on thread or mono filament cord.

We try to stock pearl styles that can be restocked, or where very similar pearls are readily available. Since pearls are a "natural product", some styles and colors will be available only in limited amounts and may not be available again. It is best to purchase all the strands that you need for a particular project all at the same time.

Please be aware that you usually get what you pay for with Freshwater Pearls! In other words, the higher the price, the nicer the pearls. Higher priced pearls will be more consistent in color and shape and will have better luster. Pearl prices also tend to be higher for very small pearls (more labor to prepare the strands) or very large pearls (more rare and they take longer to culture).

The fresh water pearls we sell are cultured pearls; for more information about the pearl culturing process please see the All About Pearls page. For more tips and information about selecting and buying Freshwater Pearls, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions about Freshwater Pearls.