Pearls make a classic, sophisticated addition to any outfit, whether you're dressed in a sassy cocktail dress or a chic business suit. This June birthstone is an ideal gift for a bride-to-be, a proud graduate or a gal pal who's looking for a touch of elegance.

"Your jewelry collection is like your clothes in your closet," said Judson Murray, of Murray Jewelry in Longview. "With clothes, you have your basics: a little black dress, a white top ... with jewelry, your pearls are your basics. They go with everything."

Like diamonds and other precious gems, there are key factors to keep in mind when shopping for this affordable luxury. Charm put together some tips to help you pick the perfect strand.

What is a pearl?

There are three types of pearls: natural, cultured and imitation. A natural pearl forms when an irritant (sand, perhaps?) lands in a type of oyster shell. The oyster secretes a fluid, or nacre, as a defense mechanism, and as the fluid continues to coat the irritant a lustrous pearl is formed.

A cultured pearl goes through the same process, but there's one major difference: Nature isn't the only thing responsible for its creation. Cultured pearls are created when someone implants an irritant (in this case, a bead or a piece of shell) into the oyster. "This method results in a larger and more evenly shaped pearl," said Elaine Callahan, of Carolane Jewelers in Longview.

An imitation pearl is man-made and usually formed from glass, plastic or shell beads. They are obvious in their extremely uniform shape and color.

What qualities are key?

When you're looking to make a pearl purchase, remember to take your time. Be inquisitive with your jeweler.

"You can tell a lot about the quality of a pearl by simply looking at it," said Sondra Moore, of McCarley's in Longview. "Its size, blemishes, luster, uniform color and symmetry are some things to look at."

Size

A pearl's size depends on how long it's housed inside the oyster. Naturally, the prices of pearls increase as the sizes increase.

Surface

The surface of a pearl ranges from smooth to blemished. Smoother pearls are worth more than grainy ones. Irregular surfaces may show raised or depressed dots, color splotches or wrinkles.

Luster

The way the pearl's surface reflects light defines a pearl's luster. A pearl with a high luster would reflect objects fairly clearly, while a pearl with low luster would look a little dull or chalky.

Color

Pearl colors can accent and compliment the overall you, so think about skin tones, hair color and even shades you like to wear. While the most popular colors are whites, creams and pinks, pearls can be found in a variety of other hues, such as blacks and silvers.

Shape

Pearls come in many shapes, somewhere between perfectly spherical to baroque, or irregular. Some common shapes include egg, button and teardrop

Matching

No two pearls are exactly the same; however, most pearl strands are a careful blend of pearls that mirror each other in size, color and luster.

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Real or fake?

Run the pearl along the edge of your front teeth. A real pearl will feel slightly gritty or sandy, while a fake pearl will feel smooth. This is a standard test that most jewelers will allow, as long as you ask first.

Look and feel it. Absolutely flawless-looking pearls, as well as those that feel light when you bounce them in your hands, are probably fakes.