15 Cool Pearls for June and Beyond

By Brittany Siminitz | June 01, 2022

I find joy in seeking out the latest birthstone jewels as each new month begins, though in the past, June always felt less exciting.

Don’t get me wrong—pearls are exquisite, classic, and most certainly a staple in anyone’s collection. But from this writer’s point of view, pictures of pearl strands were just that—pictures of pearl strands. You don’t see the luminescence of the gems, can’t experience the sensory joys of a cool line of pearls in your hands. It’s a bit boring, even if the actual product is not.

Ananya Celeste pearl earrings — *Celeste earrings with pearls, enamel, and diamonds, price on request; Ananya*

Katerina Marmagioli pearl ring — *Tuberose ring in recycled yellow gold with freshwater Edison pearl, sky blue topaz, peridot, tsavorite, diamonds, and enamel, $3,500; Katerina Marmagioli*

Nadine Aysoy Tsarina earrings — *Tsarina Sun earrings in 18k yellow gold with 3.3 cts. t.w. yellow beryl, baroque pearls, 0.46 ct. t.w. brown diamonds, and 0.63 ct. t.w. white diamonds, $8,470; Nadine Aysoy*

Rosa Van Parys Rockstar pearl necklace — *Rockstar necklace in 18k yellow gold with akoya pearls, rhodolite, and diamonds, $66,450; Rosa Van Parys*

The last several years, however, have shown us that pearls are playing a big part in visually stimulating pieces, thrilling even as photographs on a web page. And really, what else is there to say that hasn’t already been written?

Sarah Kobak unicorn pearl ring — *Wearable Unicorn ring in 18k yellow gold with freshwater pearl, mint green tourmaline, and amethyst, €6,995 ($7,510); Sarah Kobak*

Cicada pearl tiara — *Tiara in platinum with natural pearls and 12 cts. t.w. diamonds, $143,650; Cicada Jewelry*

White Space Andromeda pearl earrings — *Andromeda ear jackets in 14k yellow gold with baroque pearls and 0.06 ct. t.w. diamonds, $484; White/Space*

Arman Sarkisyan pearl ring — *Ring in 22k yellow gold and silver with freshwater cultured pearl and 1.22 cts. t.w. diamonds, $16,250; Arman Sarkisyan*

Assael pearl and turquoise earrings — *Earrings in 18k yellow gold with golden South Sea pearls and 28 cts. t.w. Sonoran turquoise, $14,000; Assael*

I remember the moment pearls became something more—the gem everyone was talking about. Dior had just released its Mise en Dior pearl earrings in 2013—that much-replicated look in which a pearl sits on each side of the earlobe, the larger of the two in the back. Either pearls took off in a major way after that, or I was just more receptive to them. Regardless, I’ve been more open to pearls since and greatly rewarded in the creations that have come.