Pearl earrings and necklaces UK (2026): Akoya vs freshwater, and the best at every budget

The best pearl jewellery for most people is a pair of Akoya pearl studs in gold: Goldsmiths' 9ct white gold 6 to 6.5mm Akoya studs are our pick. Under £100, its 9ct gold freshwater studs give a bigger pearl for less, and for a necklace, the 18 inch freshwater strand is the classic.

Every piece here is sold new by Goldsmiths, a UK authorised retailer, at Goldsmiths' own price on the date shown.

How we chose

We went through the pearl jewellery Goldsmiths has in stock and compared the details it gives for each: the pearl type, the size in millimetres, the metal, and the pearl quality where it's listed. We left out pieces set with mother of pearl rather than pearls. The explanations of pearl types come from GIA, the Gemological Institute of America. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never changes the price you pay.

Akoya, freshwater, South Sea and Tahitian pearls

GIA describes four main types of cultured pearl:

• Akoya pearls are the small white pearls most people picture when they think of pearls: usually round, with high lustre, according to GIA.
• Freshwater pearls are the most commonly produced pearls, often with many grown in one mollusc, and come in a wide range of sizes, shapes and colours at lower prices, according to GIA.
• South Sea and Tahitian pearls are larger, according to GIA. None of the Goldsmiths pearl jewellery we list is South Sea or Tahitian.

GIA judges pearls on seven value factors: size, shape, colour, lustre, surface, nacre thickness and matching.

The best pearl earrings overall: Goldsmiths Akoya studs

6 to 6.5mm Akoya pearls in 9ct white gold, cultivated in Japan, according to Goldsmiths. The classic round white pearl, at a price that suits a gift.

Best overallGoldsmiths 9CT White Gold 6-6.5MM Akoya Pearl Stud Earrings Earrings · White gold · Pearl £150Price at Goldsmiths, 28 October 2026 Full detailsSee it at Goldsmiths

For 18ct gold and a bigger pearl, Mappin & Webb's 7 to 7.5mm Akoya studs.

The best pearl earrings under £100

Goldsmiths freshwater studs, 7 to 7.5mm. Cultured freshwater pearls in 9ct yellow gold: a bigger pearl than the Akoya studs, for less.

Best under £100Goldsmiths 9ct Gold 7-7.5mm Cultured Fresh Water Pearl Stud Earrings Earrings · Yellow gold · Pearl £76 £95Sale price at Goldsmiths, 28 October 2026 Full detailsSee it at Goldsmiths

The best pearl drop earrings

Goldsmiths freshwater drops. Freshwater pearls hanging from 9ct white gold, with the pearl quality listed as AA, according to Goldsmiths.

Best drop earringsGoldsmiths 9ct White Gold Freshwater Pearl Drop Earrings Earrings · White gold · Pearl £175Price at Goldsmiths, 28 October 2026 Full detailsSee it at Goldsmiths

The best pearl and diamond earrings

Goldsmiths Akoya and diamond studs. Akoya pearls with 0.08 carats of diamonds in 18ct white gold, the diamonds G-H colour and SI1 clarity, according to Goldsmiths.

Best pearl and diamondGoldsmiths 18ct White Gold Akoya Pearl & 0.08ct Diamond Stud Earrings Earrings · White gold · Pearl · 0.08ct total £650Price at Goldsmiths, 28 October 2026 Full detailsSee it at Goldsmiths

The best pearl necklaces

Goldsmiths freshwater strand, 18 inches. A classic 18 inch (45cm) string of 6 to 6.5mm freshwater pearls in 9ct yellow gold, according to Goldsmiths.

Best necklaceGoldsmiths 9ct Yellow Gold 6-6.5mm Freshwater Pearl Necklet Necklaces · Yellow gold · Pearl £250Price at Goldsmiths, 28 October 2026 Full detailsSee it at Goldsmiths

For a single pearl instead of a strand: a 6.5 to 7mm freshwater pearl with diamonds, on a 40cm 9ct white gold chain.

The luxury strand: Mappin & Webb Akoya. An 18 inch strand of 6.5 to 7mm Akoya pearls in 18ct yellow gold, with the pearl quality listed as AAA.

The luxury strandMappin & Webb 18ct Yellow Gold 6.5-7mm Akoya Pearl 18" Necklace Necklaces · Yellow gold · Pearl £2,000Price at Goldsmiths, 28 October 2026 Full detailsSee it at Goldsmiths

The best pearl bracelets

Goldsmiths freshwater bracelet. 6 to 6.5mm cultured freshwater pearls in 9ct yellow gold, 7.5 inches long. Thomas Sabo's links and pearl bracelet pairs freshwater pearls with blackened sterling silver, and adjusts from 16 to 19cm.

Looking after pearls

GIA's advice: keep pearls away from perfume, make-up and hairspray, whose chemicals can dull the pearl's surface, and from ammonia and chlorine, so take them off for cleaning and never wear them in a pool.

Buying pearls as a gift

Pearl studs and a strand are among the safest jewellery gifts: there's no size to guess. Goldsmiths' extended Christmas returns, which we read in October 2026, cover items bought between 1 October 2026 and 3 January 2027, if unused and in their original packaging, with proof of purchase. Always check Goldsmiths' own page before you order.