July 17, 2025, 5:28 am | Read time: 6 minutes
Pearl jewelry has shed its dusty reputation and has long become a casual “it” accessory that everyone can afford. Both real pearls and high-quality imitations are now available for every budget and style. STYLEBOOK has compiled the most popular pearl bracelets for you, based on ratings and the number of customer reviews on Amazon.
What Types of Pearls Are There?
Pearls are not all the same. Generally, there is a distinction between real (natural pearls) and fake pearls (decorative pearls, imitations). Among real pearls, there are natural and cultured varieties from different habitats. While freshwater pearls come from rivers or lakes, saltwater pearls usually grow in shells in the sea. These fine differences affect color, luster, size, and price. Unlike many saltwater pearls, freshwater cultured pearls usually do not have a solid core, making them often more durable and resistant to damage.
How Do Pearls Form?
A real pearl forms when a foreign object enters a shell or oyster. It begins a natural defense reaction by layering nacre around the intruder. After about six months (for freshwater cultured pearls) or even up to four years (for South Sea pearls), a shiny, fully developed pearl emerges.
Are Cultured Pearls Real Pearls?
Cultured pearls are real pearls. While natural pearls form without intervention, cultured pearls are created by intentionally introducing a small irritant, usually a core or tissue piece, into the shell. The shell then forms its nacre layers, just like with natural pearls. The result is a fully-fledged, high-quality pearl that is, however, deliberately produced.
Do Pearls Grow Indefinitely?
Once a pearl is fully formed or removed from the shell, its growth process ends. Even if it remains in the shell, nacre formation will eventually be completed because either the introduced foreign object is fully encased or the shell ceases its activity. In cultivation, pearls are usually harvested at a specific time, as staying too long in the shell can lead to surface irregularities or a loss of the typical luster.
What Are Freshwater Cultured Baroque Pearls?
In your search for a beautiful pearl bracelet, you have likely come across this term: freshwater cultured baroque pearls. These are real pearls cultivated in freshwater mussels, primarily in lakes, rivers, or ponds in China. What makes them special is their baroque shape. They are not round but irregular, slightly curved, and each pearl is unique.
What Are Pearl Imitations Made Of?
Artificial pearls are usually industrially made from glass, plastic, or ceramic and coated with a nacre layer. Although they may look convincingly real, they lack the characteristic layers of real pearls. However, they are often more robust, easier to care for, and available in a wide range of colors.
Are There Real Pearls in Different Colors?
The color palette of real pearls is also surprisingly broad. In addition to the classic white, there are pink, lavender, cream, and even nearly black variants. The color depends on the type of shell and environmental conditions.
How Can I Recognize Real Pearls?
Real pearls have small irregularities, are not perfectly round, and show fine grooves or growth marks. When rubbed against the teeth, they feel slightly rough, unlike artificial pearls, which are usually completely smooth. The luster of real pearls also appears more vibrant and multi-layered.
What Care Do Real Pearls Need?
Real pearls love skin contact, as natural skin moisture and oils help keep the surface of the pearls in good condition. This helps them maintain their luster and vibrant appearance. However, pearls are sensitive to chemicals, perfume, or harsh cleaners. It’s best to wipe your pearls briefly with a soft cloth after wearing them and store them separately in a soft pouch to avoid scratches.
Why Are Real Pearls Relatively Affordable Today?
Thanks to modern cultivation methods, pearls can now be produced deliberately and in larger quantities. This significantly lowers prices without compromising quality.
The Most Popular Pearl Bracelets Made of Real Pearls
Luxury Budget: Pandora Link Bracelet with Pearls
The bracelet combines real pearls with Pandora’s signature link elements, is available in various sizes, and can be wonderfully combined with other Pandora charms.
Larger Budget: Thomas Sabo Charm Pearl Bracelet
The freshwater pearls of the elastic bracelet are delicately shiny and slightly irregular. The bracelet offers the possibility to attach up to three charms in the loop of the typical Charm Club logo bead.
Medium Budget: Secret & You Pearl Bracelet
This elastic bracelet comes from a brand specializing in cultured pearls. It consists of 22 freshwater cultured baroque pearls, each 8-9 mm in size, all irregular and unique in shape. Available in several colors.
Smaller Budget: GD Good Pearl Bracelet
The high-quality freshwater pearls are held in various shades of white and strung on a stainless steel chain, plated in 18K gold.
Small Budget: Luinno
This elastic bracelet impresses with its classic look and real pearls with a beautiful shimmer. The freshwater cultured baroque pearls are relatively regularly shaped and each about 8 mm in size.
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The Most Popular Pearl Bracelets Made of Fake Pearls
Larger Budget: Fossil Heritage Stainless Steel Bracelet with Pearls
The shimmering glass pearls of this vintage-look bracelet appear very high-quality and are strung on stainless steel. The practical lobster clasp makes it easy to put on.
Medium Budget: Purelei Diligence Pearl Bracelet
Made from high-quality shell pearls and robust, waterproof stainless steel, the bracelet remains color and shape stable, even with daily wear. The adjustable length of 18–22 cm ensures a perfect fit and makes the bracelet versatile.
Small Budget: Ruby Pearl Set for DIY
With this DIY set, you can easily create individual pearl bracelets yourself. It includes decorative pearls of various sizes and different small pendants.
Unusual: Swarovski “Nice” Bracelet with Feather
This unique model combines Swarovski crystal pearls with a rose gold pearl, a delicate feather in pink pavé, and sparkling Swarovski zirconia.
What Is the Spiritual Meaning of Pearls?
In many cultures, pearls represent purity, wisdom, and inner strength. They are considered symbols of calm, harmony, and feminine energy and are astrologically associated with the birth month of June.
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When Is a Pearl Wedding Anniversary Celebrated?
The pearl wedding anniversary is celebrated after 30 years of marriage. The name symbolizes the preciousness and rarity of a long-term relationship, just like a pearl that naturally grows through time, patience, and sensitivity.