A drop pearl earring incorporates the pearl's quiet beauty to the drop design's attention-getting look. It's dressy and casual at the same time. It draws attention but in a quiet way.

While every woman can wear pearls, not everyone can wear drop earrings. Yes, jewelry does make a difference in how a woman looks but we must remember that they are accessories and their main purpose is to enhance or complement a look. We don't dress up for the jewelry the jewelry dresses up for us. Here's why:

The shape of the face
Earrings, regardless of design, bring attention to the face which is why it is very important to choose the right pair to wear. In the case of drop pearl earrings, the pearl as the focal point of the jewelry is either used attached to a stud or hung from a chain connected to a stud that pierces or hangs from the ear lobe. This design acts as a 'pointer' and where does it point? Down, towards the chin.

Depending on the shape of the face, this design can either flatter or exaggerate. When using drop pearl earrings in a pendant design, this is a good thing to remember, since pendants can draw attention downward.

Why pearls are precious
Before the pearl got strung to hang from your drop earrings, it traveled some ways from the bowels of a mollusk to the hands of the jeweler. Pearls are as rare as they are beautiful and no two are exactly alike, which in part makes them a favorite choice for jewels.

Of the more than 8,000 different species of mollusks, there are only 20 kinds who can produce pearls consistently. That is why natural pearls are quite rare. They also are not always the ideal shape and size to use as jewelry that is why people have turned to artificial methods of producing pearls, also called cultured pearls. This method was perfected by Kokichi Mikimoto of Japan.

Cultured pearls are essentially artificial implants. This is a more ideal method of creating pearls because it affords a certain control over the size and shape. Natural pearls are formed 'naturally' without outside help from humans.

That is not to say that cultured pearls are less valuable than natural pearls. Their only difference is that cultured pearls are produced differently.

Pearl quality
The focal point of a drop pearl earring is of course the pearl. If you're planning to buy a pair, this is not only a beautiful addition to your collection, but is also a worthwhile investment.

The price of the pearl depends upon its quality which in turn is dependent on several factors: the color, shape, size, luster, nacre thickness and texture of the pearl.

Pearl color varies from the usual white, silver and cream to green, blue, gold and black. The color of the pearl depends upon the type of mollusk that produced it and water conditions. Sometimes, in the case of cultured pearls, the kind of nucleus used to stimulate the mollusk can also affect the pearl's color.

Shape is one area where personal taste may be a high deciding factor. The most expensive kind is the perfectly round ones, because these are rare. Drop pearls are shaped like teardrops but their shape doesn't mean they are not valuable at all. A lot of good-quality pearls are drop-shaped and are preferred after the spherical ones.

Generally, the larger the pearl, the more valuable and its size is measured by its diameter. It's worth noting, however that size is not the sole determinant of value. It could be the size of a cherry but if it's dull with lots of imperfections, it should not be worth much at all. Most pearls fall in the 6.5 to 7.5 mm range.

Nacre is the substance from which pearls are made of. This is the same substance that you'll find inside the shell of a mollusk or oyster. Nacre affects the luster and color of the pearl and generally speaking, the thicker it is, the higher the value of the pearl.

Texture is also a consideration, since pearls, unlike gemstones, are prized based on their surface. A clean and smooth surface is an indication of a good quality pearl. It should be shiny, reflective and without spots, bumps or discolorations.