Overtone Ist die secondary color visible on a pearl's Oberfläche, layered over the base body color. It is what gives pearls their depth und uniqueness — flat-color pearls look generic, while overtoned pearls have personality.

Was is overtone?

Overtone is created by light refracting through the upper Perlmutt layers. Different pigments und structural elements in the Perlmutt produce different overtone colors. Higher-quality pearls have more pronounced und distinctive overtones.

Common overtones by pearl type

Akoya (white base)

• Pink / Rose — most prized; soft pink-rose shift over white
• Silver — cool Silberblau shift; rare
• Cream — warm yellow undertone

Tahiti- (dark base)

• Peacock — green-mit-purple shift; signature color
• Aubergine — deep purple over dark base
• Silberblau — metallic blue-gray; rare Premium
• Green — bottle-green tint
• Cherry — reddish-pink (very rare)

Südsee (white or golden base)

• Weiß base: pink overtone, silver overtone, cream
• Golden base: champagne, light gold, deep gold, 24K

Süßwasser

• Weiß base: pink, lavender, peach (natural)
• Pink base: cherry, deep rose

Overtone und value

Distinct, vivid overtones command Premium pricing:

• Tahiti- peacock und Silberblau: 20-40% Premium over uniform-dark Tahiti-
• Akoya rose-pink overtone: 15-30% Premium over plain white
• Südsee pink overtone: 10-20% Premium over uniform white
• Golden Südsee deep gold/24K: 30-50% Premium over light champagne

How to identify overtones

1. Hold the pearl 6 Zoll aus a window or bright light source
2. Slowly rotate the pearl
3. Watch for color shifts — these are the overtones
4. Distinct overtones (peacock, aubergine) are obvious
5. Subtle overtones (rose, silver) require more careful inspection

Multiple overtones

Some pearls have multiple overtones — e.g., peacock-aubergine, cherry-pink, or Silberblau. These multi-overtone pearls are particularly prized in high-end Schmuck. The most-coveted Tahiti-Perlen combine peacock mit hints aus aubergine — sometimes called "rainbow peacock."

Overtone vs body color

Body color = the underlying color der pearl (white, gold, dark gray)
Overtone = the secondary shift visible over the body color (pink, silver, peacock, etc.)
Orient = the iridescent rainbow effect across the entire Oberfläche (rare und Premium)

Browse by overtone

• Tahiti- (peacock, aubergine, Silberblau overtones)
• Akoya (rose, silver overtones)
• Weiß Südsee (pink, silver overtones)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Wie hoch ist die difference between pearl color und overtone?

Farbe Ist die base body color (white, dark gray, gold). Overtone Ist die secondary color visible as light reflects off the Oberfläche. A pearl can have a white body mit pink overtone, or dark body mit peacock overtone.

Are overtoned pearls more valuable?

Yes, generally. Distinct vivid overtones command 15-50% Premium over flat-color pearls der same type. The most prized: Tahiti- peacock, Akoya rose, golden Südsee deep gold.

How do I see pearl overtones?

Rotate the pearl under a window or bright light source. Distinct overtones show clear color shifts. Subtle overtones (rose, silver) require careful inspection at the right angle.

Was is "orient" in pearls?

Orient is a rainbow-like iridescent effect across the entire Oberfläche — rarer than overtone, und even more valuable. Some Tahiti- und Südseeperlen show orient in addition to overtone.

Can overtones be artificial?

Some treatments (bleaching, irradiation) can enhance overtones in lower-Qualitätsstufe pearls. Reputable sellers disclose treatments. natürlich-overtone pearls show consistent color shifts; treated pearls often have flatter or unnatural overtones.