Why does one strand of white cultured pearls cost so much more than another one that’s the same size?
The cost is directly related to quality differences. Many cultured pearls today have a shell nucleus over which the pearl coating is extremely thin. This is true whether you are considering Japanese “akoya” pearls or “South Sea” cultured pearls, whether white, golden, or black. Thin nacre pearls are usually heavily treated in order to make them look like something much more rare and valuable, but the nacre can begin to chip or peel, and eventually you will have little more than shell beads remaining.
