Pearls have had a long history as precious gemstones – as gifts for ancient royals or prized possessions sought-after by anxious criminals – from China, to Europe, to the Americas. Learning how to choose the right pearl earrings for the right occasion is a skill you can benefit from if you want accessories that flatter your best features. While naturally formed pearls come in all forms of irregular shapes and often cannot be used for jewelry, cultured pearls can be grown in a variety of shapes – spherical, oval, teardrop and baroque. Learning how to choose the right pearl earrings for the right occasion will involve finding a design or combining various shapes of pearls that suit your face shape. If you’re interested in choosing the right pearl earrings for the right occasion, it pays to familiarize yourself with how pearls are valued, whether they are pearl drop earrings or otherwise. Pearls are measured based on their diameter with larger pearls being more highly valued. Several factors determine the value of a pearl – color, overtone, size, shape, luster and surface quality. The color of a pearl can range from white, cream, silver, blue, pink, gold and black. Choose a color to suit your skin tone and the occasions you may be wearing your pearl drop earrings to. Luster refers to the reflective quality of a pearl and the more luster a pearl has the more valuable it is. Surface quality is also an important consideration; the less imperfections like bumps there are on a pearl, the more highly prized it is. A pearl, unlike other gemstones, is delicate and can easily be cracked and scratched by other gems. Substances such as sweat, perfume and the like can affect its soft, porous covering. Taking good care of your pearl earrings involve wiping them down with a soft damp cloth and wearing them only after you’ve put on your makeup and your perfume. When trying to understand how to choose the right kind of pearl earring for the right occasion, bear in mind that earrings always draw attention to the face. It is important, therefore, to choose something that will flatter the shape of your face. The shape and design of a pearl earring can flatter your face or accentuate its flaws, so choose wisely.