Between Downton Abbey, The Crown, and The Favourite, costume designers are more enamored than ever with pearls—which means it’s the perfect time for jewelers to capitalize on pop culture’s obsession with the classic gem Pearls are so timeless that touting their trendiness may seem ­counter to their nature—unless you hope to sell more of them.…

As jewelry trends come and go, pearls remain a classic. But whereas previous generations might have been inspired by Coco Chanel or Audrey Hepburn, today’s ­fashion-forward consumers are eager for bold takes that flip the script on pearls as a traditional accessory. Here you’ll find a glossary of everything you need to know about the luminous gems…