My affection for pearls is a finicky thing. At times, I’m unable to resist their perfect sheen, that crushingly elegant presence. Other times, they’re too impossibly proper, too uptight for me to feel at ease putting them on. But, like most things, it all really depends on how you wear them—how they’re styled. Or, in the world of designers like Hisano Shepherd, it depends on how they’re presented in the first place.
Shepherd, designer behind the amazing brand little h, is doing things with pearls that would make even the staunchest pearl opposer take an interest, and that’s all good by me. Though you will find an offering of traditional pearl jewelry from the brand—beautiful in its own right, and perfect for the pearl lover—what really has everyone talking is her geode creations, which, in many instances, take a cross-section of a pearl and fill it with sparkling gems for a look that’s so good. It’s literally cracking the pearl genre in half and dressing it up in ways that have us all rethinking it. Helplessly infatuated with them, these pearls I could never be hot and cold about.
Necklace in 14k white gold with freshwater souffle pearl, 2.19 cts. t.w. rubies, and 24.5 cts. t.w. sapphire beads, $3,078
Point collection earrings in 14k white gold with freshwater souffle pearls and 1 ct. t.w. sapphires, $1,552
Ring in 14k white gold with Tahitian baroque pearl and 0.5 ct. t.w. diamonds, $1,755
Finestrino stud earrings in 14k yellow gold with freshwater keshi pearls and 0.35 ct. t.w. emeralds, $810
Point collection earrings in 14k white gold with freshwater souffle pearls and 5.92 cts. t.w. amethyst and tanzanite, $2,862
Luxe collection earrings in 14k white gold with blue baroque akoya and white South Sea pearls and 1.5 cts. t.w. blue diamonds, $4,050 (also at top)
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