There’s a renewed interest in pearls as of late, as you’ve probably noticed. Statement jewels, where a large, luminescent pearl plays a central part of the design, are, as ever, beloved. But I’m focused on styles a little less pearl jewelry and a little more jewelry made from pearls. Yes, I believe there is a difference.
Because when you think of a pearl necklace, what comes to mind? A strand of pearls, most likely—even to those who have a vault of pearl images living in their mind, it’s hard to forgo the traditional definition.
So I’m not sure I’d call a pendant adorned with pearls a pearl necklace, even if that’s precisely what it is.
Take the pair of earrings featured here, for example. They’re pearl earrings, but they’re not pearl earrings. You get where I’m going with this?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrBjwsjhsnp/
Via: @prabalgurung
Pearls were all over the spring 2019 runways, from Chanel (as is typical) to Prabal Gurung, my favorite iteration, which featured really cool, cascading earrings made from pearls (the earrings are by Tasaki, where Prabal is creative director)—pearl earrings, that they are, but pearl earrings, they are not.
Where many diamond jewels can take the ins and outs of daily life—showers, pools, hairspray, perfume—the porous pearl may not withstand such a wallop, so jewelers may find themselves replacing a tiny pearl or two over time—particularly if jewels like these are worn on the daily, as these styles are typically meant to do. A quick lesson in pearl care with the purchase of pieces like these may help your customers to keep their jewels in pristine condition for the long haul.
Still, the good things in life come with a little risk, don’t they? With these jewels as the reward, I’m totally good with that.
Top: Mini pearl flower earrings in 14k yellow gold, $410; Barbela Design
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