My thoughts (probably more of them than you wanted, ha): I'd get freshwater over akoya. Freshies have come up in quality hugely in recent years. They're more budget friendly and more sturdy, with nacre all the way through rather than a nacre-coated bead like akoyas are.
I'd go for more showiness (larger pearls or more of them) over the very top quality, in the same way I would with a diamond. Dollar for dollar, I don't think the small difference in quality, for example between PP's freshadama and their still very nice AAA grade, is nearly as noticeable as the difference in size. I've heard over and over about women starting out with the standard 16-18 inch 7-8 mm and soon leaving them in the jewelry box because they just seemed a little light on wow factor (although that's not everyone, of course).
Personally, I'd pick one of these instead. I have grown kids and I'd still be wearing any of them. PP has a 10% discount this month so the price would be a little less than what's listed below:
- 8.5-9.0 mm AAA - This would be a definitely noticed size difference over 7.5-8.0 mm.
Each and every 18 Inch AAA strand we offer has been hand-selected in Asia by our expert buying team, who select only from the top grade available. This means that although the pearls are freshwater, they boast nearly perfect shape, surface and luster. The size of the pearls in this strand range...
www.pearlparadise.com
- 6.5-7.0 mm rope AAA-
You will appreciate the versatility of a 35-inch strand of pearls. You can wear it long in a sort of casual elegance style, or you can wrap it for a double-strand look. It's really like having two strands in one.
www.pearlparadise.com
OR AA+ quality in the rope- (I have several ropes and do not find the slight off-roundness of the lower grade noticeable in a rope of smaller pearls. And smaller pearls seem to me to look more lustrous anyway, all other things being equal. I guess it's because there's more "arc" to them)- This is a lot of pearl, impressive, and I also think long strands are more hip, while still being classic.
https://www.pearlparadise.com/colle...h-75-80-mm-aa-white-freshwater-pearl-necklace
-35 inch 7.5-8.0mm AAA
Opera length is very nice too. It can be worn doubled but is also short enough to wear long, and perhaps would get more use than the 54 inch, especially if she's small or doesn't wear much jewelry. Personally, I'd avoid the "matinee length," though (the lengths between the standard 16- 18 inch and the long 35 inch and above strands). I dunno, they just seem to me kind of awkward lengths or something, lol.
You will appreciate the versatility of a 35-inch strand of pearls. You can wear it long in a sort of casual elegance style, or you can wrap it for a double-strand look. It's really like having two strands in one.
www.pearlparadise.com
- 7.5-8.0 mm double strand AAA - a double strand. Perhaps a little more formal/traditional and less versatile than opera to rope length, but neater, doesn't migrate throughout the day.
This stunning double strand of 7.5-8.0 mm pearls is composed of round (AAA) quality pearls. The pearls' surfaces are virtually clean of any imperfections and exhibit high luster. This 17 and 18-inch nested strand is double-knotted on silk and finished with a polished 14-karat, square-style...
www.pearlparadise.com
I'd skip the bracelet and spend on larger or more pearls on the strand, first, and stud earrings, second. The usual thing is strand and earrings. A matching bracelet as well often seems a little too matchy-matchy anyway (which is out of style these days).
If it came down to it in your budget, I'd also forego earrings in favor of a more substantial strand. It is easier to match the earrings to the strand if you get them at the same time. But, if you have a budget constraint, you can always get earrings for a later occasion, perhaps showier ones than you could get at the same time. You could send the strand to a trusted vendor later on for matching. To me, the earrings and strand aren't worn close enough for small differences to usually be noticeable anyway. And then, with matchy-matchy being much less in style than it used to be, a younger lady such as your wife might rather wear different earrings anyway aside from formal occasions, who knows. If the budget allows, I'd get the earrings too but just saying, if it was me and it came down to it, I'd rather have the showier strand without the earrings.
Personally, I think the earrings look better (standing out a bit) in a larger mm size than the strand and at least about 8.5 mm. I loved my my 7-8 mm pearl studs when I first got them a few years ago but now they're what I wear when I don't have makeup on and don't want to be noticed (and they're hanadama akoyas).
Also, unless you know of her preference, I'd get the clasp in whatever metal color (white or yellow gold) matches her wedding rings.
You can ask them to email you photos and help you choose between a few, if you like. If it turns out she prefers something other than what you pick out or you have second thoughts upon seeing your choice in person. They might ask if you want rose, silver, or cream overtones. The rose/silver combination overtones seem very popular. I believe cream overtones are supposed to flatter darker skin, rose flatters fair skin. Silver overtones look extra bright white (someone correct me if I'm wrong on the overtones, please). With length, I believe 18 inch is the most popular, over 16 inch.
Of course you know your wife, budget, and preferences best so as always, jmho!
Finally, we love photos, if you get a chance to show us what you finally decide on...
Good luck and happy anniversary!
