Pearl Earrings

Before the 19th century pearls were the most expensive gemstone and even more valuable than diamonds. Nowadays, pearls can be seen not only in evening wear, but also in everyday outfits.

Is there any difference between wild and cultured pearls?

Wild pearls that were taken out of the ocean are now found mostly in vintage and collector’s jewelry. That is not the case with more available cultured pearls grown on special farms. These pearls may be either freshwater or saltwater, depending on what water they were grown in. However, cultured pearl nacre is not inferior to wild pearls. But do not confuse it with imitation pearls, where nacreous paint is applied to glass or plastic.

What are the most expensive and valuable pearls?

Real pearl earrings can be made with beads of absolutely different shapes: round, pear, oval, drop, and baroque. But still the most expensive and rare are round pearls.

Among the most valuable pearls are the Akoya pearls with round white beads, Tahiti pearls with black stones, and South Seas pearls with white and golden beads, among which are the rarest shapes.

The main factors that determine a pearl’s value are the origin, shape, rarity of shade, luster, and of course the size of the beads (starting from 8mm, the price of pearls grows rapidly).

Despite the fact that everyone is used to the delicate colors of pearls, their palette is much bigger: cultured pearls come in silver, green, blue, eggplant and even petrol colors. It is worth noting that the classic models are made from more valuable pearls, while simpler beads are used in more unique and trendy jewelry.

The main trends in jewelry with pearls are now:

– Large baroque pearls in earrings.
– Pearl hoops.
– Inlay of large pearls with other stones or decorative elements.
– Different pearl earrings in a single look.
– Pearl studs.
– Drop earrings with pearls.
– Cuffs with pearls.

Designers like pearls

Pearl jewelry constantly appears in the collections of various brands, from mass-market to luxury segment.

This season, designers use very large pearls, like those used by Givenchy and Dolce & Gabbana, unusual shapes, like by Oscar de la Renta and baroque pearls, like pearl drop earrings by Burberry. And also different pearl earrings in one look, like those by Magda Butrym or spherically shaped, like the pearl hoops by Jil Sander.

Pearl earrings made of 925 sterling silver or gold are a great accessory for every day or for a special occasion. For example, pearl earrings for weddings are a classic look that never goes out of date.