The classic elegance and luster of pearl jewelry has become more of a curse than a blessing. They may be considered lovely discount jewelry but are usually relegated into the background, in stuffy events like weddings, christenings and coming out balls. Handmade Pearl jewelry has sometimes been equated with squares, spinster aunts, grandmothers and the old South. Fashion Pearl jewelry have had a hard time competing with more edgy cheap jewelry like the luscious and high class gemstones like diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and even semi precious stones like opal and garnet.

Although perfectly round pearls are the best known, there are a variety of shapes of pearls that can be used to create pearl earrings.

Round pearls are spherical. Surprisingly, round pearls are relatively rare because it is difficult to maintain the round shape over the two or three years it takes to form a pearl, especially in freshwater pearls.

Near round pearls, like they sound, are also spherical in shape, though not perfectly round.

Ringed pearls have grooves forming rings

Button pearls are symmetrical, usually oval or circular, and slightly flat. They are often used to make pearl earrings because it is easy to attach a post to the flat surface.

Oval pearls are symmetrical, smaller at the ends and larger in the middle.

Drop pearls are teardrop shaped - smaller at one end and larger at the other.

Baroque pearlsare not symmetrical and have a sort of free form shape.

Semi-baroque pearls have a recognizable shape, such as round or oval, but are not symmetrical.