PICK A PEARL

Whether you’re looking for a simple stud necklace or a string of pearls, you can find some of the world’s best and most affordable pearls in this gem of a shop in Coron

Affordable, quality pearls and lucky dip. Pick A Pearl is the only store in Coron that sells only pearls. Nothing else. They have the largest collection, from simple stud to the most unique and intricate designs in the market. Owners and jewelers Arnold and Susie Nepomuceno opened Pick A Pearl in Coron 2019 to offer a range of everyday quality pearls and custom-made pearls at a price every man can afford. The shop also affords you a unique lucky dip experience. For US$20, you can dip your hand inside a jar containing 5,000 pearls, with your eyes closed, and the pearl you pick out is yours. This coming summer, customers will also be able to pick a clam from the shop’s aquarium, for a fee, and find their pearl.

Home of the world’s deepest golden South Sea Pearls. A string of quality pearl necklace will cost you millions from a high end jeweller in Makati, Manila. In Coron, you can buy a similar quality necklace for a fraction of this price. Coron is the source of the world’s deepest golden South Sea pearls, highly valued in the world market for its natural color. A choker made from 34 pieces of exquisite golden South Sea pearls will cost you from Php500,000 (about US$9,100) at Pick a Pearl.

“Coron has more than six pearl farms,” shares Arnold. “You can find the deepest golden color South Sea pearls only in Coron, and nowhere else in the world. Australia is known for its grey and white South Sea pearls, Tahiti for dark pearls, China for freshwater, giveaway pearls, and Coron for the deepest golden coloured pearls.”

Bestsellers and recommendations. Nepomuceno says an 8-9mm pearl, set in 18ct gold, stud style, mirror lustre, sells for about US$380-500. An 11-12mm stud pearl costs about $600. The bestselling Pandora-style stud necklace with the pearl stud drilled through to insert a chain costs about US$500-600.

For jewelry tailor made to your design, you’d have to wait for a couple of weeks. Adjustments of ready made pearl jewelry takes only an hour or two, done at the shop. You can choose your preferred metal material from 9K, 14K to 18K solid solid gold, with or without stones such as diamonds or other gem stones.

How to choose a pearl. Color, shape, size, lustre, quality of the surface, affect the value of a pearl. Ideal pearls will be round, with a smooth surface, not marred by small holes or fish bites. Lustre refers to the pearl’s shine. A mirror-like shine is highly valued. Pearls come in all shapes and sizes, with shapes ranging from the drop, circle or round, and baroque. Choose your color to match your complexion as pearls, next to your face, lends its brilliance.