A few measurements between you and a piece you'll forget you're wearing. Take your time — fingers swell with weather, wrists vary in mood, and the right pearl has as much to do with your skin as with the chart.
Understanding Pearl Sizes
Unlike diamonds measured by carat weight, pearls are measured by their diameter in millimeters (mm). Even a 1mm difference significantly impacts the volume and presence of the jewelry.
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The traditional standard. Highly versatile, suitable for professional environments, weddings, and classic styling.
Noticeable and luxurious. Often found in premium Freshwater or South Sea pearls. Ideal for commanding executive presence.
Rare and majestic. These pearls are undeniable statement pieces that immediately draw the eye.
Rings, fitted
Two methods, both worth doing twice. A ring should slide on with mild resistance and pass the knuckle without coaxing — the snug part lives between knuckle and base.
From a ring you already own
- Choose a ring that fits the finger you intend to size, and lay it flat.
- Measure the inner diameter — edge to edge, straight across the opening — in millimetres.
- Match the diameter to the chart below. If you fall between two sizes, take the larger.
With a strip of paper
- Cut a thin strip of paper, roughly 8 cm long and half a centimetre wide.
- Wrap it around the base of the finger, snug but not tight, and mark where the ends meet.
- Measure the marked length in millimetres — this is your circumference. Match it below.
A note from the atelier
Measure at the end of the day, when fingers are at their fullest, and in a warm room. Cold fingers run a half-size smaller and will betray you in July.
For wider bands — anything above 5 mm — round up. The ring sits differently on the finger and asks for a touch more room.
International conversion
| US | UK | FR | Diameter (mm) | Circumference (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | H | 47 | 14.8 | 46.5 |
| 5 | J½ | 49 | 15.7 | 49.3 |
| 6 · most chosen | L½ | 52 | 16.5 | 51.9 |
| 7 · most chosen | N½ | 54 | 17.3 | 54.4 |
| 8 | P½ | 57 | 18.2 | 57.0 |
| 9 | R½ | 60 | 19.0 | 59.5 |
The perfect necklace length depends on your neckline and personal style. Most of our Grande Lilith pendants come with an adjustable chain for versatility.
Choker
14 — 16 in · 36 — 41 cmSits at the base of the neck. Wears beautifully against bare skin, off-the-shoulder cuts, and high necklines that need a single line of contrast.
Princess
17 — 19 in · 43 — 48 cmRests just above the collarbone. The most worn length — quietly correct with crewnecks, blazers, denim. The one she leaves on for 72 hours.
Matinee
20 — 24 in · 51 — 61 cmFalls at the top of the bust. Reads more deliberate. Made for an open shirt collar at lunch and a silk slip after seven.
Opera
28 — 36 in · 71 — 91 cmReaches below the bust. Layers gracefully over knitwear; doubles cleanly into a longer choker. The length that makes a turtleneck feel decisive.
Rope
36 in and beyond · 91 cm +Past the navel. Knotted, doubled, or worn long. Reserved for evenings, ateliers, and the kind of dress that doesn't compete.
Our pearl bracelets are designed to drape elegantly. To find your perfect fit, measure your wrist tightly and add a slight allowance for comfort based on the pearl size.
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Snug Fit (+ 0.5 to 1.5 cm) Add 1/4" to 1/2" to your wrist measurement. Best for delicate chain and tiny pearl bracelets.
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Comfort Fit (+ 2.0 to 2.5 cm) Add 3/4" to 1". The recommended allowance for classic pearl strands (6-8mm).
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Loose Fit (+ 3.0 cm or more) Add 1 1/4" or more. Necessary for large, chunky pearls (10mm+) as the pearls reduce inner circumference.
| Standard Size | Length (Inches) | Length (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Small | 6.0 - 6.5" | 15 - 16.5 cm |
| Small | 6.5 - 7.0" | 16.5 - 18 cm |
| Medium | 7.0 - 7.5" | 18 - 19 cm |
| Large | 7.5 - 8.0" | 19 - 20.5 cm |
Earrings, by drop
Earrings are measured from the top of the ear post to the lowest point of the piece. Length sets the mood: a stud is a punctuation mark; a long drop is a sentence.
The everyday answer. Disappears into a workday and lifts a soft sweater Sunday.
Just below the lobe. Movement without commitment. Lives easily under hair worn down.
Reaches toward the jaw. Sharpens a face. Pairs with hair tied back and a clean neckline.
Past the jawline. The choice for evenings, opera houses, anniversaries — and Tuesdays, when the mood asks for it.