An Ultimate Guide to Pearl Shapes

Pearls are charming, exquisite, and timeless. They can seamlessly uplift your appearance and make you appear more confident and composed, provided you pick the best in the market. 

Pearls are one of the most versatile gems in the world. They come in a wide range of shapes and colors. And every form is the epitome of personification in itself. Right from round to baroque to button pearls, the world of pearls offers a wide range of shapes for every budget and taste. 

So, whether you are planning to get new pearl jewelry for yourself or just curious to learn about different shapes of pearls trending in 2023, here is a crisp guide. It can help you find the perfect pearls you desire with ease. 

How do Pearls Form Their Shape?

The shape of a pearl largely depends on the size and shape of the irritant. When this irritant decomposes, it releases a gas that can create internal bumps and blisters in the nacre layers. This effect creates ridges in the pearl. 

Sometimes, a small pearl accidentally attaches itself to a bigger pearl. The nacre covers the pearls, leading to bulges and lumps in the final piece. Besides these factors, sudden changes in salinity and water temperatures can also impact a pearl’s surface, shape, and appearance.

Lastly, pearls rotate and move while growing. Constant exposure to pointed objects or lack of space can lead to circles and ringed patterns on the pearls. Stay with us as we throw light on the different types of pearl shapes available in the market.

Also see: Types of Pearls: Akoya, Tahitian, Freshwater and South Sea

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11 Most Common Pearl Shapes

Round / True Round Pearls

Are all pearls round? No,only 5% to 10% of harvested pearls qualify as perfectly round pearls. It is one of the rarest and most expensive pearl shapes worldwide. Also known as the “eight-way rollers,” these brilliantly symmetrical, circle pearls can roll seamlessly in all directions. Japanese Akoya pearls are known for their perfectly round shapes and are widely used in pendants, necklaces, and earrings. 

Near-Round / Off-Round Pearls

Near-round pearls may seem round to your eyes. But in reality, they are oval or egg-shaped. Experts identify these pearls by rolling its strand on a plain surface. These pearls are found in almost every pearl type but are more common in Freshwater cultured pearls. Near-round pearls make for a great cost-effective alternative to round pearls.

Oval Pearls

Oval pearls are known for their brilliant elongated appearances. Jewelry designers use this pearl shape in designing earrings and bracelets. To everyone’s delight, oval-shaped pearls are comparatively more affordable than round pearls.

Button-Shape Pearls

Button pearls or flat pearls have a domed top and a flat or slightly curved bottom. The flat surface perfectly sets on the ear lobe, and hence designers use it for creating versatile earring collections. That’s not all. Many leading jewelry brands also offer exquisite button pearl necklace collections. 

Drop-Shape Pearls

It is a type of irregular pearl that mysteriously resembles a teardrop. These extremely valuable and symmetrically extended pearls possess an immaculate pear shape. Although designers prefer to use different pearl shapes in their collections, drop form is one of their favorites. It also makes for a great gifting option this festive season. 



Semi-Baroque Pearls

Semi-baroque pearls come with a slightly asymmetrical shape. This distinct shape makes them one of the most popular choices for statement jewelry collections comprising necklaces and bracelets.

Baroque Pearls

These are non-spherical and irregularly shaped pearls. The baroque shape is the most common and accounts for around 50% of a pearl harvest. They can be uneven, off-rounds, drops, tops, and even oblong pearls. Connect with an expert to understand what flat pearls are called.

Circled Baroque Pearls

Baroque pearls that feature at least one circle are known as circled baroque pearls. Tiffany’s first introduced this pearl-shaped jewelry as “Circles of Love” in the 1970s. Besides the plain hues, this oddly shaped pearl also features beautiful color banding concentrations, making it one of the most popular pearls in the world. You can get this shape in Tahitian, Freshwater, and South Sea pearls. 

Free-Form Baroque Pearls

What are free-form baroque pearls? Any pearls that are not round are called free-form baroque pearls. The best part is that you can get this shape in almost all pearl types. This versatile pearl can be used in jewelry items like rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Consumers love these free-form baroque pearls for their unconventional and boho looks. 

Tokki Pearls

Tokki is a Japanese term that means ‘small bumps.’ And it is what Tokki pearls look like. With an amazing bum on its surface, these odd-shaped pearls are popular for pendants, lockets, and earrings.

Keshi Pearls 

It is one of the unique Keshi pearls found in different shapes and configurations compared to natural round pearls. They can be flat, oval, or irregularly round. Many leading jewelry brands offer stylish Keshi pearl collections to cater to the ever-evolving fashion needs of consumers. Moreover, Keshi pearl necklaces and earrings are highly trending in 2022. 

Also see: Pearl Sizes: All you need to Know

How Does Shape Affect Its Value?

These are just a few. There are many more pearl shapes and names that you should know about. Moreover, besides size, luster, surface, and nacre, the pearl shapes also play a vital role in determining its value. 

For instance, the round is the most valuable pearl shape that fetches the highest dollar. However, there can be an exception for some beautifully and interestingly shaped baroque or free-from pearls. The crux is that different pearl shapes are graded differently. 

So, what are you waiting for? Use the information given in this post and select the best pearl shape for you and your loved ones this festive season and become the center of attraction wherever you go!


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Navkiran lives in Punjab state of India with her husband and an exceptionally perfect furry companion named RAIN. When she is not writing, you can find her busy cooking, decorating & organizing her home, or watching TV series.

Navkiran Dhaliwal is a pro blogger and copywriter with 10+ years of experience working with clients from all over the world. She has written for several renowned online magazines and newspapers.

Navkiran lives in Punjab state of India with her husband and an exceptionally perfect furry companion named RAIN. When she is not writing, you can find her busy cooking, decorating & organizing her home, or watching TV series.

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