Baroque Pearls Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Pearls are usually known for their flawless round shapes and immaculate surface, but these stunning gems actually come in many different shapes. Meet Baroque Pearls: the gems of the seas that aren’t perfectly round! These include off-round pearls, teardrop pearls, long and elongated pearls, and more, and are all one-of-a-kind, and perfectly imperfect! While these pearls may be an irregular shape or have an uneven surface, they are just as mesmerizing as their symmetrical counterparts.
So, what types of baroque pearls are there? How valuable are they? What should you be looking for when shopping for pearls? And how are these pearls actually made? We’re answering all these questions and more below, in our comprehensive Baroque Pearls Guide.
FUN FACT: The world’s most expensive pearl is, in fact, baroque. The gem weighs 75 pounds and it’s valued at $100 million!
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Choose a chic boho style necklace, a versatile pearl bracelet, baroque Tahitian pearl necklaces or a dangling pair of pearl earrings and upgrade your jewelry collection with one-of-a-kind gems of the seas.
The term ‘baroque’ finds its origins in the Portuguese word for ‘imperfect’ – ‘barocco’ in Portuguese. The term was first used in relation to a pearl in a French dictionary from the end of the 17th century, describing a gem that is imperfect in shape (off-round).
Baroque pearls gained a lot of popularity during the Renaissance years, when jewelers valued the gems for their unique and organic beauty. Their main use was in the creation of small figures, where the pearls were used as actual body parts. The finest example is a piece from the 16th century called ‘The Canning Jewel’, where a large baroque gem is used as a merman’s torso.
The famous painting ‘Girl with the Pearl Earring’ by Johannes Vermeer depicts a young girl wearing a very large baroque pearl earring. The art piece, which gained its nickname as ‘Mona Lisa of the North’ was painted in the 17th century, during the Dutch Golden Age.
The most famous baroque pearl in the world is no other than ‘La Peregrina’. The gem has a long and rich history since being discovered in Panama in the 16th century. It as once owned by Napoleon, as well as by British royals, it was lost many times and later found, only to end up in the possession of Hollywood royalty.
FUN FACT: “La Peregrina” is set in an elegant necklace that is valued at $11.8 million.
The vast majority of freshwater pearls are actually baroque pearls. In fact, over 90% of them are! This is why round pearls are more valuable – they are simply more rare.
The pearl formation process does not always occur in the soft tissue. Some pearl cysts are stuck in muscular tissue, where they encounter resistance from the surrounding muscles. This ultimately leads to the formation of irregular, imperfect pearl shapes.
The vast majority of freshwater pearls are irregularly-shaped because these gems are mantle tissue nucleated and not bead nucleated. Off-round pearls are found in saltwater, too. Baroque Akoya pearls are rare, and the often teardrop-shaped South Sea and Tahitian baroque gems are very valuable. However, almost half of cultured Tahitian pearls are baroque and semi-baroque (slightly irregular in shape).
FUN FACT: Most black baroque pearls are cultured in Tahiti, while most South Sea baroque pearls come from Australia.
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Choose baroque pearls, classic round, Akoya pearls, dainty Freshwater, Tahitian, or stunning South Sea gems. Shop your dream pearls at the best prices online!
Pearl shapes fall under four general categories: round, drop, baroque and circle (a subtype). Moreover, there’s a lot of variety in terms of shapes when talking about these pearls. Due to their wide range, each subtype is favored in the creation of specific jewelry pieces, from romantic to religious jewelry.
Used as charms in designs featuring multiple gems or as statement gems in their own right, baroque pearls are highly versatile. Below, let’s explore their many shapes, which can be broken down into 12 different categories:
Coin pearls are round and flat, similar to a coin. Because of their large flat surface area, coin pearls have an amazing luster and are commonly used in jewelry.
This is both the general name for these non-round gems, and also a subtype. These elongated, spherical pearls usually have a dented and uneven surface.
When two pearls fuse together, they are known as twin pearls.
Potato pearls are small and lumpy, and, like the name suggests, similar to a tiny potato.
Cross pearls are rare, but they are highly sought after for religious jewelry. As the name suggests, cross pearls naturally form in the shape of a cross.
Stick pearls are also known as BIWA pearls. The main characteristics of stick pearls is that they are long, flat and narrow, like a stick.
Rice pearls are particularly small pearls that resemble grains of rice. They are rounded, but not perfectly round.
With wide bottoms and narrow tops, egg pearls resemble small eggs, as the name suggests.
Heart pearls are similar to coin pearls, but under the shape of a heart, making them great picks for romantic jewelry.
Teardrop pearls have a pear-shaped silhouette, they resemble teardrops and are often used in earrings. They are at high demand and often more valuable than other types of irregular pearl shapes.
Leaf pearls are paper thin with an uneven surface. They are the most delicate and the thinnest of the irregularly-shaped pearls.
Keshis are the rarest type of these irregular gems. They are created when the mollusk rejects the seed but continues to develop the pearl, so keshi pearls do not have a center particle. They are elongated and extraordinarily lustrous and few know that keshi pearls are, in fact, composed only of nacre.
Baroque pearl jewelry comes in many styles and designs, ranging from classic and elegant to modern and bohemian. Due to the off-round shape of these gems, baroque pearl jewelry is slightly less formal than traditional round strands. A wide variety of designs include single pearls on more casual settings, from silver to rubber and leather. Next, we’re taking a look at some of the most popular of these jewelry types.
Off-round gems make for a stylish, unique pair of earrings. There’s an impressive variety of dangle earrings on the market today, including drop styles, hoops, threaders, chandelier earrings and many more types of earrings. Opt for these unique earrings for a day-to-night look that feels and looks effortless, without compromising on chicness.
Shop the Tahitian South Sea Dangling Tincup Earrings
Classic baroque strand necklaces are a great alternative to the slightly more traditional strands featuring round gems. Opt for a necklace adorned with Freshwater, Tahitian or South Sea pearls if you are looking to boost the uniqueness factor or add visual interest to a more formal ensemble.
Shop the 14-15mm White South Sea Necklace
For a more casual look, go for bohemian baroque pearl necklaces. Including pearls set on leather or rubber, surfer-style neckpieces are a beach staple. They are suitable for anyone and have an effortless, unisex appeal that adds weekend / vacation vibes to any casual look.
Shop the Golden Leather Necklace
Round pendants are a classic choice, but if you are all for unique gemstones, opt for a baroque pearl necklace featuring a statement irregular gem. You can choose a gem with subtle irregularities (like a pear-shaped, oval or teardrop gem) or you can go for a highly irregular pearl and treasure it for its uniqueness.
Shop the 15mm Pink Freshwater Solitaire Designer Pendant
Black, white, golden, or pink bracelets with off-round gems are true statement pieces that pair well with both business wear and cocktail-ready attire. Take your time finding a bracelet that speaks to you, whether it’s one featuring more uniform gems, or maybe highly irregular pearls that belong to a cohesive color palette.
Shop the Tahitian South Sea Multicolor Bracelet – AAA Quality
Similar to baroque pearl necklaces, bracelets featuring off-round gems of the sea denote beachy appeal and pair well with boho ensembles, from weekend attire to resort wear and downtime style. Choose a boho style pearl bracelet on leather – and wear it on its own or stack it up with other favorites.
Shop the Tahitian South Sea Baroque Pearl Leather Bracelet
There are many benefits to choosing baroque pearls – keep on reading as we touch on the main points.
Unique Appeal: Baroque pearls come in distinctive, unique shapes that all offer visual interest and appeal. These days, the imperfections of these pearls are no longer seen as such. Instead, designers and buyers alike celebrate the organic and highly personal look of off-round pearls.
Self-Expression: Due to their uniqueness, baroque pearls allow the wearer to express their style in a non-conventional way. While they are still precious gems, their different shapes and appeal make wearing these gems a highly personal experience.
Affordability: One of the more practical advantages of opting for baroque and semi baroque pearls is that they come at lower prices. Round pearls come with double or triple price tags, but baroque gems offer pearl lovers the possibility of owning real gems at a fraction of the price.
Gorgeous Colors and Luster: It’s a little known fact that often, the irregular shapes of a baroque pearl actually accentuate both the luster, iridescence, and color of the gem. Tahitian pearls in particular display an array of colors in a single gem, providing endless iridescence and different overtones from all angles. As for luster, the ridges and denivelations often improve luster due to the fact that the light bounces back, allowing light to refract from every angle.
Baroque pearls are real pearls, which means that they are valuable. However, not all baroque pearls are the same. In general, baroque pearls are less expensive than round pearls, but their value depends significantly on their type. Freshwater baroque pearls (which are abundant) are much more affordable than Tahitian black gems or South Sea baroque pearls. Off-round pearls are about 25-35% the cost of round pearls when compared with gems of similar type and size.
You can find both real and fake baroque pearls on the market. The easiest way to find out whether your pearl is real is by gently rubbing it along the surface of your tooth. A real baroque pearl will have a grittiness to it, while a fake one (both glass and plastic) will be perfectly smooth. Moreover, pearl jewelry pieces where you notice that all baroque pearls seem to have the same shape or to present intentional ridges instead of organic shapes are most likely fake.
There are many factors that contribute to the value of a baroque pearl: luster, size, pearl type and color. Luster refers to the pearl’s ability to reflect light. In terms of color, darker shades are more valuable than lighter ones because they are more rare. Larger pearls in desirable shapes (such as teardrop or shapes that present a certain symmetry) are more valuable than small and significantly misshapen pearls.
And there you have it: your ultimate guide on one of nature’s most beautiful gems, Baroque Pearls. Plus a few pieces ready to upgrade your jewelry box! From gorgeous teardrops to coin-like pearls, these stunning gems come in the widest range of styles and shapes. Perfect for any occasion and outfit, baroque pearls are can be worn with casual looks, to office-ready and formal.
Let us know in the comment section below: what types of pearls are your favorite? Classic rounds, or these uniquely shaped baroque pearls?
The classic beauty of a pearl necklace is simply unmatched. Luster, elegance, and glow, real pearls have it all. Whether you’re looking for 30th anniversary gifts, unique types of earrings (including baroque pearls), or gifts for grandma, browse our extensive collection of premium pearl jewelry.
Discover the delicate charm of Freshwater Pearls, lustrous Akoya pearls, and elegant Tahitian and South Sea Pearls in a gorgeous assortment of shades.
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