For the woman who wants to set herself apart from the crowd, there is nothing more dramatically beautiful than a uniquely exotic and contemporary designed pearl necklace. A look at today’s pearl necklaces—one of the oldest forms of personal jewelry—shows them being incorporated with a mix of gems, more precious metals and a wide variety of designs in varied lengths and styles. Pearls make a serious statement and any woman who wants a necklace that is both extraordinary and often out of the ordinary will appreciate the special beauty pearls lend to varied styles and length of necklaces.

Once upon a real and recent time, the "preached" mode for choosing your pearl necklace was to ensure that "all pearls in the strand blend well in regards to size, shape, color, quality, luster, orient and complexion". Given the recent availability of a wide assortment of pearl hues, size, shape, etc., it is not surprising to see pearl strands mixed rather than matched to meet the aforementioned uniformed classic pearl necklace blend. Today, pearls of different origins, sizes, colors and, closely matched shapes and quality are strung together in strands that span the availability spectrum, thus, satisfying and meeting every taste, need, and budget. Dramatic double strands with multi-size pearls, multicolor pearl jewelry and pearl pendant necklaces are a few of today’s contemporary pearl necklace fashion trends.

Today’s pearl necklace designs also appeal to the woman who purchase strands for herself and appreciates the affordability, design versatility and the wide variety of pearls. In choosing your cultured pearl necklace, buy one with the best pearls you can afford and choose the design based on its effect on your appearance and personality and, in accordance with your needs. Long necklaces are informal, versatile and slenderize the neck, thereby, elongating its appearance. Short necklaces are demurring, sophisticated and enhance a long neck. Follows is a guide to pearl necklace lengths, pearl strand styles and corresponding fashion terms:

Collar or Dog Collar (10 to 13 inches): one or multiple strand necklace of gems or pearls designed to be worn closely around the mid center of the neck. A collar accentuates the neckline of v-neck blouses, shirts and off-shoulder dresses.

Choker (14 to 16 inches or 35 to 40cm): a short necklace of single or multiple strands with the middle resting in the hollow or at the base of the neck. It rest just above the breastbone or collarbone. Being the most versatile of all pearl necklaces, the choker complements almost any neckline and is appropriate for all styles.   

Traditionally, a pearl strand was offered in two main varieties—the classic uniform or graduated design. A uniform pearl necklace has pearls which are equal or closely equal in size. Since cultured pearls of certain origins and sizes are round less than half the time, i.e., South Sea or Tahitian Pearls, it may take years to find the right pearls to match for a necklace of this design. Consequently, the cost is often more than that of a graduated pearl necklace consisting of pearls increasing in size gradually towards the center of the strand. A graduated necklace can be one of two varieties—the straight taper (a ruler when slide along the necklace from small end to its center touches all the pearls along its curves) or the compound taper (ruler touches just a few).

Princess (17 to 19 inches or 45cm): consisting of a single strand, the length of a classic princess pearl necklace measures halfway between a choker and a matinee length necklace and falling just below the neckline. Being well suited with crews, plunging necklines, deep v-necks and button-up shirts or dresses, it is the most common length for pearl necklaces. Try a strand of Akoya or Freshwater pearls with a little black dress, skinny jeans, high-quality t-shirt, pantsuit or the summer’s wide array of sundresses.

Matinee (20 to 24 inches or 50 to 60cm): consisting of a single strand of pearls falling at the top of the bust line or cleavage. This length is appropriate for straight or clean-lined outfits and pairs well with shorter necklace for a layered style.

Long and even longer necklaces in ropes and lariats designs are at the top of today’s pearl fashion trends. Owing to their informal and versatile yet dramatic appeal, long strands with irregular shapes, baroques, multi size and multi mix pearls in golden, multicolor, black and white, cranberry or chocolate color are strong purchases.

Opera (28 to 34 inches or 70 to 80cm): a single strand of pearls that hangs below the bust line on the breast bone. As with the Matinee, this length is appropriate for straight or clean-lined outfits. Can be worn full-length or doubled for a layered look. 

Rope (40 to 48 inches): rope pearl necklace consist of a single strand of pearls (sometimes referred to as a Sautoir) that hangs at or below the navel. Generally worn knotted, doubled or tripled for the layered look. Some rope necklace designs offer strategically placed or hidden clasps that allows for breaking it down into choker or necklace and bracelet.

Lariat – traditional (48 inches and over): a long strand unattached at the ends, allowing for knotting or tying and may feature tassels or different beads hanging from both ends.

Lariat – contemporary (18 - 20 inches): a short version of the traditional lariats with both ends swinging freely from a slide catch or pearl shortener clasp or one end free such as the Y-Necklace.

Bib: a multi-strand and multi length pearl necklace with the shortest strand sitting on or at the base of the neck.

Torsade: a multi-strand pearl necklace on which the strands are twisted together.

Pearl pendant necklace: consist of a removable sculptured ornament, a pendant setting, to which a pearl is glued, screwed or suspended. The chain may be continuous or made from links of narrow, wide, flat, semi-flat or round precious metal.  Other chains are made from a variety of materials such as silk, leather, hemps formed into cords or strings.

Whatever your choice, remember to buy a pearl necklace with the best pearls you can afford and choose your design based on its effect on your appearance, personality and taste.