10 Best Pearl Necklaces UK 2022 | John Lewis, ASOS and More

Are you looking for a string of pearls that resemble the iconic Vivienne Westwood necklace, or would you prefer a single pearl pendant? This section will take you through how to pick between the many stunning options available.

There are many types of pearl necklaces, so the first step is to decide if you're looking for a string of pearls or a single pearl pendant on a chain. While a string of pearls is very versatile, they are definitely more of a statement piece than the pearl pendant.

Strings of pearls work just as well paired with a shirt for an office look, as they do with a simple tee and jeans for heading out to the pub. The same goes for a pendant, but as pearls catch the light, strings end up being much showier than a simple metal chain. The right one for you really depends on your style.

Love being complimented for your jewellery and being the centre of attention? Go for a string of pearls. If you are more reserved and don a more understated style, the pendant might be better. Of course, nothing is stopping you from mixing the two. Layered necklaces are a great way of levelling up any look and are perfect if you're indecisive!

Choker, princess necklace, opera necklace or pearl rope? Finding the right length is essential for achieving the pearl look that you crave. Read on to find out what these terms mean so that you can pick the right one for you!

Pearl chokers are all the rage right now, but they're definitely not just a trend. They've stayed stylish for decades; it's only now that the TikTok generation is catching up. They're the optimum choice from rappers to royalty as they're both classy and edgy. Depending on how you style it, you could wear a choker to a wedding or an underground rave.

The average choker size is 14-16 inches, but if you work out a lot or have a bigger neck than average, you might want to measure your neck first as you don't want your choker to literally choke you!

The princess necklace is usually 17-19 inches long and is the go-to length for most first-time pearl necklace buyers. These look amazing over a shirt collar or with a strapless dress - as pearls look gorgeous on bare skin. 

If you're unsure which length to go for, the princess necklace is a great choice as it's not too long or too short - it's somewhere in the middle. If you're completely lost as to what length you want, purchase a few cheap faux pearl necklaces in various lengths and take them for a spin before getting real pearls. 

The opera necklace is not as versatile as its shorter siblings, but it's just as sexy. It's around 25-26 inches long and can be worn as either one long, statement strand or doubled up to become two necklaces in one! It can also be knotted at the neckline, which is great for a vintage look. 

Opera necklaces are usually worn in the evening, but again this depends on your style. Most people would wear it as a special occasion look, but there aren't any rules when it comes to fashion - it's all about outwardly exhibiting your personality and mood.

If you thought the opera necklace was long, wait until you get a load of the pearl rope. These luxurious strings are usually around 36+ inches long. Though typically very expensive due to the sheer amount of pearls it takes to create one, they can also be made up of several clasps and broken down into multiple shorter necklaces, which is ideal for pearl lovers who want every look. 

Like the opera necklace, the pearl rope can also be doubled or even tripled to give the appearance of wearing multiple necklaces. After all, the legendary Coco Chanel said that "A woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls". Of course, that doesn't just apply to women! Pearls are universally flattering.

Nothing says 'I'm on top of things' than strings upon strings of pearls. These also look amazing when worn down the back of a backless garment, adding drama and ultimate class to your evening look.

There are many different types of pearls; freshwater, Tahitian, Akoya, but which one's are the best? Well, Tahitian pearls (aka black pearls) and Akoya are so rare and expensive that we haven't included them in our top 10. We consider freshwater or faux to be the way to go for those of us who aren't millionaires! 

Freshwater pearls are the most common, meaning that they're the most cost-effective way to purchase real pearls. However, just because these pearls aren't rare, it doesn't mean they're not special. What sets freshwater pearls apart is that they come in eccentric, unique and beautiful shapes, unlike the traditional round pearl.

They also vary in size and colour, with pearlescent overtones of white, pink, rose, cream and even shades of black. These pearls are ideal for those on a budget and those who like their jewellery to be unique, as one freshwater pearl necklace will never look the same as another.

If you don't have the cash to invest in real pearls, aren't interested in spending loads of money on your jewellery, or just want to try pearls out to see if you like them, faux pearls are a great option. Faux pearls can be created from shell, plastic, glass or ceramic, and then painted to achieve that signature pearl sheen.

The downside of faux pearls is that most of them are low-quality, and the paint can wear off, revealing the dull plastic underneath. To overcome this, just make sure not to get your faux pearls wet, and remember to take them off once you're finished wearing them.

Pearls are also not vegan, as they are produced by molluscs when a foreign thing enters the shell. Interestingly, they are technically cruelty-free as they aren't produced by testing on animals, but they are an animal product. For that reason, vegans tend to gravitate toward imitation pearls. 

Pearls are usually white, but many have different coloured overtones. Some can have a silvery tint, some rose and some lilac. Sometimes, the overtones are so dominant that the pearl themselves appear to be pink! 

If you're aiming for the classic pearl look, go for white or cream, but if you want something a bit more soft and feminine, go for lilac or rose-tinted pearls. Though these colours are indeed characterised as feminine, they look amazing on men too and are great paired with a contrasting black leather ensemble.

Want something a little more edgy? Take a look at black pearls! They look great with pretty much anything. If you love mixing colours or just can't choose between them, why not just go for a pearl necklace with different coloured pearls! There are so many options available, that we're sure you'll be able to find a necklace that you'll love.

Now that you're equipped with more in-depth info about the wonderful world of pearl necklaces, you're ready to select your perfect accessory from our top 10 list of the best necklaces available in the UK.

No matter what you're wearing, a well-thought-out piece of jewellery can always elevate an outfit. From a glittering stack of rings to a simple yet elegant bracelet, adding a touch of silver or gold is the cherry on top. 

We bet you can't wait to take your new pearl necklace out for a spin! Pearl necklaces are a sound investment because they'll probably never go out of style. We hope you enjoyed our buying guide and list of the top 10 best pearl necklaces in the UK.

Author: Lara Delmage