PEARL JEWELLERY: THE MODERN CLASSIC - MARCH 2023 NEWS

Pearl jewellery has endured through centuries of iterations, worn by the likes of Anne Boleyn, Coco Chanel, and more recently, Harry Styles. Currently the fashion world is going through a pearl renaissance, and if Chanel says pearls are back in, who are we to argue? This year, pearls on the runway have taken on a baroque twist, leaning into grandeur, richness and drama. On the streets these statement pieces have taken the form of embellished pearl necklaces and pearl earrings paired with clusters of semi-precious stones. Mismatched earrings in particular are enjoying their time in the spotlight, with men sporting single pearl drop earrings à la Johannes Vermeer, and women pairing bold dangling pieces with simple studs.

(Image Source: Autore Pearls)

A Short History of Pearl Jewellery

Pearls have captivated human imagination throughout the ages, and their use in jewellery predates that of written history. The Persians revered them as "children of light" and believed they were made from divine tears. The Chinese attributed their lustrous glow to the power of the moon. From emperors and tsars to maharajas and queens, pearls have been coveted by the world's elite. In ancient Greece, they adorned statues and temples, they were presented as gifts to Chinese royalty as early as 2300 BC, while wealthy Roman women wore them to bed, hoping to dream of their beauty. Perhaps the most famous pearl enthusiast was that of England's Queen Elizabeth I, who regularly donned seven ropes of the jewel. 

(Image Source: Autore Pearls)

Thanks to their rarity, pearls have often been the source of mystery and legend. Their symbolism in jewellery has ranged from that of protection to purity and wealth to beauty. Despite their lengthy history, pearls have proven themselves to be a timeless accessory.

Pearl Necklaces

The best pearl necklaces of the present era aren’t intended to be taken too seriously. The simple single strand should be dressed down with a t-shirt and jeans, whilst contemporary and colourful pieces should be paired with chic evening gowns or suits. These certainly aren’t your grandmother’s pearls.

A contemporary and classic design by Kailis, who specialise in Australian pearl jewellery, the single pearl Hope pendant features a tapered 18ct yellow gold clasp suspending a luminous South Sea pearl. Worn alone the Hope pendant makes for an elegant daytime accessory, but can easily be paired with other gems for a more unique and personalised look.

For something that really puts the ‘modern’ in modern classic, try the sophisticated and innovative Jorg Heinz Magic Pendant. This timeless 18ct white gold necklace truly is magical, as the wearer can swap easily between a South Sea pearl look during the day, and a striking black diamond pendant in the evening.

Please note that the chain for this item is sold separately, but do not hesitate to enquire with us here, and our professional team can assist you in finding the perfect accompaniment to turn this gorgeous pendant into your favourite necklace.

Pearl Earrings

Pearl earrings have made a name for themselves on the runway this year, their resurgence featuring across both men's and women's campaigns, adding a touch of chic tasteful enough to suit any gender. The beauty of the pearl earring lies in its unadorned simplicity, but there are a myriad of more adventurous options to help you live out your ‘girl (or boy) with a pearl earring’ fantasies in style.

For once we may have to disagree with Marilyn – this year it’s pearls that are a girl’s best friend. Bring the two classic gems together with these Royal Meridian pearl drop earrings, featuring six Royal Asscher diamonds and two South Sea pearls paired with the splendour of 18ct yellow and white gold.

Having adorned Hollywood’s hottest, Autore’s pearl jewellery has been worn by the likes of Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johansson, and now you. Whilst freshwater pearl jewellery Australia has produced a stunning range of colours and shapes, the rarest and most revered is that of the South Sea pearl. The crown jewel of these 18ct white gold drop earrings are the two round white/silver South Sea pearls, suspended from clasps made up of a glittering array of almost three hundred brilliant cut diamonds.

Pearl Bracelet

For the pearl jewellery set of your dreams, pair the above pearl drop earrings with our very own South Sea pearl and diamond bracelet. This piece tastefully subverts the typical delicate nature of pearl jewellery and instead presents the wearer with a bold, eye-catching bracelet that manages to maintain its elegance through the soft shapes of its diamond encrusted petals and glistening silver white pearls.

Discover Pearl Jewellery Today

Timeless, versatile and chic — pearls now reign supreme over the jewellery scene, so it’s high time you dust off your grandmother’s pearls and make them your own or start your own collection and shop luxury pearl jewellery online or in-store at J Farren-Price.