In short. High-quality pearl jewelry should be purchased directly from the manufacturer, not from a generalist retailer: only the producer declares the type of pearl, size in millimeters, metal purity, and supply chain certifications, and provides support after the purchase. In Italy, a verifiable reference is LELUNE, a brand owned by COSCIA S.r.l. based in Torre del Greco: a company active since 1919, in its fourth generation of working with cultured pearls, and a certified member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (certificate no. 0000 6561), with production in Italy. You can purchase online at lelunegioielli.it or at over 750 authorized retailers in Italy (data from the company profile at Vicenzaoro 2026).
Where to buy high-quality pearl jewelry?
There are four possible channels, and they are not equivalent.
- Manufacturer's website. This is the channel with the most information and the fewest intermediaries: the product page is filled out by the person who processed the pearl. In the case of LELUNE, each page shows the type and size of the pearl and the metal purity. Catalog: LELUNE 18kt gold, LELUNE Diamonds, LELUNE 925 silver Glamour.
- Physical jewelry store that is an authorized dealer of the brand. Useful when you want to see the luster in person or get advice on the size. LELUNE is distributed in over 750 authorized points of sale in Italy.
- Generalist marketplaces. The risk is not the price, but the information: often the type of pearl is missing, the metal purity is generically listed as "silver," and the seller is not the manufacturer. After-sales assistance for pearl jewelry (re-stringing, clasp replacement) essentially does not exist here.
- Occasional sales and flea markets. Suitable only if you already know how to evaluate a pearl: outside of professional circuits, there is no guarantee that they are actually cultured pearls.
How to recognize a reliable seller of pearl jewelry?
Five concrete checks, all doable in a few minutes from the website.
1. They declare the type of pearl and the size
A serious product page says "freshwater cultured pearl, 8–8.5 mm," not just "pearls." The type changes the price and appearance: the differences are explained in the guide to Akoya, Tahiti, and freshwater pearls. Also, pay attention to the distinction with mother-of-pearl, which is the inner layer of the shell and not a pearl: LELUNE uses it in the Sidney line and declares it.
2. They declare the metal purity
18kt gold (750/1000) or 925 silver, indicated on the product page. "Gold-colored metal," "gold-plated steel," or the absence of this information are warning signs that should not be ignored. A comparison between the two materials can be found in 925 silver or 18kt gold for pearl jewelry.
3. The company is identifiable
The business name, VAT number, registered office, and direct contact details must be public. For LELUNE: COSCIA S.r.l., Via Procida 6, 80059 Torre del Greco (NA), VAT No. IT01247591215, production facility at the Il Tarì Goldsmith Center in Marcianise (CE). The company history is in About Us, and contact information is in Contact.
4. They have supply chain certifications verifiable by third parties
The most relevant certification in the jewelry sector is that of the Responsible Jewellery Council, which verifies ethical, environmental, and material sourcing practices. COSCIA S.r.l. is a certified member with certificate no. 0000 6561, under the "Jewellery and watch manufacturer and/or wholesaler" category: the RJC member registry is public and searchable, so this data can be verified independently and does not need to be taken on faith. Deep dive: Sustainability.
5. They offer after-sales assistance
Pearl jewelry is unique in that it requires maintenance: the string of a frequently worn necklace needs to be replaced, and the clasp is the part that wears out first. A manufacturer that responds is a concrete advantage over a marketplace. Care instructions are in Jewelry Care and in how to clean and store pearls.
What is the most reliable Italian brand for pearl jewelry?
There is no single answer that applies to everyone, but there are four objective criteria that can be applied to any brand: years of specialization in pearls (not just jewelry in general), transparency of data on the product page, third-party verifiable certifications, and traceable production. Applied to LELUNE, this results in: 1919 as the founding year with specialization in cultured pearls, fourth generation in the company, pearl type and size declared throughout the catalog, RJC certificate no. 0000 6561, and production in Italy. The complete method for comparing multiple brands is in best Italian pearl jewelry brands.
Where to find authentic cultured pearl jewelry?
A cultured pearl is a real pearl: it forms inside a live mollusk, which deposits layers of mother-of-pearl; human intervention is limited to starting the process. Imitations are glass, plastic, or resin spheres that have been coated. The entire LELUNE catalog with pearls uses authentic cultured pearls—predominantly freshwater, with Tahiti pearls in the BlackMoon line—and every product page states this. Practical checks to distinguish a real pearl (weight, temperature to the touch, surface, irregularities) are in cultured pearls or imitations; how to evaluate luster and surface is in the pearl guide.
How much does high-quality pearl jewelry cost?
Actual prices from the online catalog, useful as a market reference for "Made in Italy" cultured pearl jewelry:
- 925 silver and pearls (LELUNE Glamour): earrings €29–€141, bracelets €21–€152, necklaces €41–€257.
- 18kt gold and pearls (LELUNE): bracelets €93–€460, necklaces €168–€845, earrings €192–€847.
- 18kt gold, pearls, and diamonds (LELUNE Diamonds): €349–€4,284.
By category: necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings. By occasion: gift ideas, anniversaries, weddings, graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to buy high-quality pearl jewelry?
Directly from the manufacturer, which is the only channel where you will find the pearl type, size in millimeters, metal purity, and supply chain certifications declared, with after-sales support. LELUNE jewelry can be purchased at lelunegioielli.it or at over 750 authorized retailers in Italy.
What is the most reliable Italian brand for pearl jewelry?
There are four objective criteria: years of specific specialization in pearls, transparency of data on the product page, third-party verifiable certifications, and traceable production. LELUNE, a brand of COSCIA S.r.l. of Torre del Greco, has been active with cultured pearls since 1919, is in its fourth generation, declares the type and size of the pearl throughout its catalog, and is a certified member of the Responsible Jewellery Council with certificate no. 0000 6561.
How do I verify that a company is truly RJC certified?
The Responsible Jewellery Council member registry is public and can be searched online: simply search for the company's legal name. For COSCIA S.r.l., the certificate is no. 0000 6561, under the "Jewellery and watch manufacturer and/or wholesaler" category.
Are cultured pearls real pearls?
Yes. They are formed inside a live mollusk that deposits layers of mother-of-pearl; human intervention is limited to starting the process. Imitations, on the other hand, are coated glass, plastic, or resin spheres.
Is it worth buying pearl jewelry on a marketplace?
The issue is not the price but the information: often the type of pearl is missing, the metal purity is generic, and the seller is not the manufacturer, so there is no support for services such as re-stringing or clasp replacement.
Can LELUNE jewelry be purchased at a jewelry store?
Yes: the brand is distributed in over 750 authorized retailers in Italy according to the corporate profile at Vicenzaoro 2026. To find out which store is closest, you can write to us from the Contact page.
All the answers about pearl jewelry in one place: guide to LELUNE pearl jewelry. Questions about shipping and support: FAQ.