Pearls have had a long history as precious gemstones - as gifts for ancient royals or prized possessions sought-after by anxious criminals - from China, to Europe, to the Americas. Learning how to choose the right pearl earrings for the right occasion is a skill you can benefit from if you want accessories that flatter your best features. While naturally formed pearls come in all forms of irregular shapes and often cannot be used for jewelry, cultured pearls can be grown in a variety of shapes - spherical, oval, teardrop and baroque. Learning how to choose the right pearl earrings for the right occasion will involve finding a design or combining various shapes of pearls that suit your face shape. If you’re interested in choosing the right pearl earrings for the right occasion, it pays to familiarize yourself with how pearls are valued, whether they are pearl drop earrings or otherwise. Pearls are measured based on their diameter with larger pearls being more highly valued. Several factors determine the value of a pearl - color, overtone, size, shape, luster and surface quality. The color of a pearl can range from white, cream, silver, blue, pink, gold and black. Choose a color to suit your skin tone and the occasions you may be wearing your pearl drop earrings to. Luster refers to the reflective quality of a pearl and the more luster a pearl has the more valuable it is. Surface quality is also an important consideration; the less imperfections like bumps there are on a pearl, the more highly prized it is. Pearls are delicate gems and are generally softer in composition than other jewels. Because of this, they are prone to damage like cracking and scratches. Its porous nature also makes it susceptible to other substances like perfume, sweat and makeup. Keep your pearls clean by wiping them with a soft, damp cloth and try putting on these accessories after you’ve worn your makeup and applied your perfume. Accessories like pearl earrings are designed to draw attention to your face. Carefully choosing the right pearl earrings for the right occasion is important if you want to flatter your face and enhance your features.