Plenty of pearl buying guides will tell you all about what region to buy pearls from, how much to spend, whether to get salt water or fresh water pearls … and will then leave you completely on your own when it comes to color, like a toddler looking at a sea of legs in a shopping center, but none of them belong to his Mom… We wouldn’t blame you for wailing at the top of your lungs!

Sure, pearl color choice is a personal decision. But what about when you’re buying for a gift for somebody … and they’re meant to be a “SURPRISE!!”. We give you some advice on which pearl colors will suit which people.

White Pearls - These look great with olive skin tones, and also with dark eyes and hair, like most Asian complexions. That doesn’t preclude everybody else though! Anybody that enjoys having a classical look will love white pearls. If you’re giving a pearl gift that will be designed for evening wear, white pearls are one of the best choices.

Black Pearls - Ironically, these look beautiful on both very pale people, and very dark African-American complexions. Black pearls are another traditional choice, and convey a little more luxury than do white pearls. Dark colors like black are also said to suit Scorpios and Sagittarians best.

Lavender Pearl Set

Lavender Pearls - Lavender, as a color, looks great with Oriental complexions, and also with standard white complexions with brunette hair. Lavender pearls say that you’re a unique, individualistic sort of person, but not necessarily bold and brash. Pastel colors like lavender are said to suit Cancers, Libras and Capricorns best.

Peach/Pink Pearl Earrings

Peach/Pink Pearls - Peach and pink pearls have a sweet, warm, childlike atmosphere. In fact, these are a great color of pearl to give if your gift is for a child. As with lavender pearls, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn gals are said to enjoy these pastel colors, and complexion wise, peach and pink suit Oriental and tanned, Caucasian complexions. They do tend to make pale blonde girls look a bit washed out, and are out of place on very dark skins.

Multicolored Pearl Necklace

Multicolored Pearls - Multicolored pearls say that you know what everyone else does - and you don’t want a bar of it! The elegance and simplicity of pearls gets its own funky, modern twist with multicoloured strands, and they are surprisingly cheap. Vibrant, varying colors like these are great on Gemini chicks ;-), and Aquarian girls will love the ‘I’m different to you!’ statement that they make. Brunette Caucasians, tanned Caucasians and chocolate brown girls look beautiful with multicoloured pearl strands.

Golden South Sea Pearls

Golden Pearls - Golden pearls make for a rich, classical look, even though the color is not a standard one for pearls. If you have a lady that likes to be different, but just a little bit, golden pearls are a great choice. Golden pearls suit most complexions, apart from pale blondes and Oriental skin tones. Gold is the traditional color of Leo, but suits Capricorns and Geminis just as well.