What style of pearl jewelry has been most popular with your customers this year?
We put that simple question to a few retailers around the country, and the answers, while not exactly surprising, delighted us with their variety. They suggest that pearls have outgrown their classic wardrobe of strands, studs, and solitaire rings and now inhabit virtually every setting imaginable. Pearls gone wild, you might even say.
Susan Eisen, owner of Susan Eisen Fine Jewelry, El Paso, Texas
“Long strands with unique clasps. Yellow gold and pearls of all types. Jewelry with odd-shaped freshwater pearls. And stud earrings with diamond accents.”
“Necklaces with asymmetrical designs ranging in price from $350 on up, depending on the type of gold chain and the quality of the pearls. Many are made from recycled, previously loved strands brought in by my customers. We love taking apart strands that have pearls that have been broken or damaged, taking out the best ones and mixing them with gold chain in an abstract asymmetrical way. Then we repurpose their pendants and make enhancers they can wear with them!”
Jared Silver, president of Stephen Silver Fine Jewelers, Menlo Park, Calif.
Melissa Quick, president of Steve Quick Jeweler, Chicago
“Surprisingly, pearls are not a big category for us. But I did just get some pearl pieces from Amáli that I really love and think they will jump-start our pearl sales.”
Top: Pearl tassel sautoir necklace in 18k white gold with onyx and 6.92 cts. t.w. diamonds, $85,000; Stephen Silver
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