Pearls have different standards of quality than other types of jewelry. Before you try to purchase pearls online, familiarize yourself with the different levels of quality and options available to you. 

 

Here are a few basics: Pearls come in three different varieties. Imitation pearls are costume jewelry. They have no intrinsic value other than what they bring you through owning them. Natural pearls are very hard to find in online stores because they are so rare. Your best bet for genuine pearls online is to find cultured pearls. These pearls are manufactured naturally and are very high quality. 

 

Pearls also come in several different shapes. Most people are familiar with the perfectly round pearls available, but there are many other shapes as well, from tear drop to Baroque (which can have a highly unusual shape). Pearls also come in many different colors, too, but be sure to determine if the pearls you are buying are dyed or are naturally colored. 

 

For the most part, shopping for pearls online is no different than shopping for other types of jewelry online. There are specific tests that you’d do with pearls when you buy them in person, but since you don’t have that luxury, you’ll have to rely on the reputation of the online seller. 

 

You’ll need to pay attention to the quality and reputation of the online store you are purchasing from. Look for specific clues that will help you determine whether or not shopping at a particular store is a good idea. 

The first thing you should look for on a reputable pearl dealer site is a clear customer service and return policy. The website should be upfront about its policies. Look into how the store handles customer returns. You should also be able to locate the contact information very easily. Ideally, the store should have an e-mail address and a phone number displayed on the website. 

 

Before you buy, make sure to search the name of the jeweler and the word review to look for feedback on the seller. You may find that a store with a nice site is not all that it’s cracked up to be. Rely on the feedback of former customers to inform your pearl buying decision.