I'm making a 14" square, 10" round, & 6" round cakes. I will be putting a pearl border on the top of each tier. Any ideas how many pearls I will need? Also, what size of pearl would look best? The same size on all 3 tiers or graduating sizes?  Thanks for the input.

Are you planning on placing individual pearls, or a molded row of pearls?  Individual placing pearl by pearl is a slow and tedious process...if this is what you are doing, did you charge enough to cover the amount of time for your labor?

As to size, it would largely depend on the style and trim of the entire cake.  If the pearls are the only decor, then you could use a somewhat larger one...but if the other trim is small and delicate, you'd probably need something more petite to keep things in scale.

Thank you for the reply Jeff, the only one so far. Yes, individual pearls. As far as the charge it is a gift for my daughter & son-in-law for their wedding, so the price is not an issue. The bottom of each (torted) tier will be bordered in a 2" sparkly ribbon. That & the pearls will be the only decorating besides some small piped dots. So, what is your advice for the pearl as far as size goes? Is an 8 mm big enough? I was think 8mm for the bottom tier. Do you think this is big enough?

ADo you have any pearls yet? Can you place some so you can get an idea? Do you know how to multiply to get an idea once you figure out the sizes? Just takes a little math, I would think.

I usually use a pearl mold for borders. That being said,  I don't want this to come off snarky but does it really matter how many pearls it takes for your border? 
They usually come in good size jars which does not give you a count but rather ounces and size.

You can get multiple sizes to see what works with your design.

AThat's what I'm thinking too, and others as well. What does it matter....Might explain the lack of replies.

OP- this is something that I'm SURE you can figure out on your own, right?  Get yourself a pearl mold or just it be by hand, one by one- you'll get there eventually- pretty simple. 

I think an 8 mm will be fine...I personally prefer borders to be rather small....especially when tiers are stacked.

Thanks for all your replies. The reason for my original question of how many pearls it will take is because I will be using individuals & not a mold. I was just trying to get an idea of when to start making them. However, this weekend I found white pearl candy Sixlets that I will be using. Much easier than rolling by hand & tasty also.

AYou know how you're referring to pearl sizes? They're going to touch each other, right? You can determine the circumferences involved in mm and then you have it, right? If you're buying gumballs, the package may not give the size. You may have to wing it.

Whoa MimiFix.....having a bad day? I am a hobby baker, only making a couple of decorated cakes a year for family. I probably do not have the knowledge that is needed to reply to most posts. But thank you for yours. Have a great day.

ASo that excuses your sarcastic jab at everyone who [B]didn't[/B] reply?

My intention was not to make a jab at anyone. I was simply surprised. I was hoping that someone had access to a chart that would provide what I was looking for.

Edit: After I posted and saw that you had posted in the mean time. Sorry, but I don't see how the having a bad day thing isn't some kind of jab. And I think most people thought you wanted them to do your arithmetic for you.

Round cake circumference= Diameter X 3.14.  Square cakes = Length of one side X 4.  I use a 12 inch long pearl mold  so i just divide my total inches by 12 & that tells me how many times I have to reproduce the mold.