Pearl
jewelry is enjoying a heyday and for good reason. The classic choice comes in a
range of colors, shapes, and price points, making pearls accessible to just
about everyone. Celebrities are often seen wearing them at red-carpet events,
and pearls can lend an elegant touch to many occasions. Let’s get acquainted
with the ins and outs of pearls and learn the best ways to wear them.
Types of Pearls
Natural
pearls, which are extremely rare, are made when a speck
of sand or soil gets stuck inside an oyster or other mollusk. The mollusk
reacts to the irritant by coating the speck over and over with layers of
proteins and minerals called nacre, eventually creating a luminous pearl.
Nearly all of the pearls on the market today are cultured, meaning a starter
bead is intentionally placed inside the mollusk to start the process, then the
pearl is harvested after a period of time ranging from one to eight years.
The
most common types of pearls are Akoya, Tahitian, South Sea, and freshwater.
Akoya pearls can be pink or gold, while Tahitian pearls are a luminous black.
South Sea pearls are usually white, and freshwater peals come in a wider
variety of shapes and pastel colors.
Pearl Jewelry
Pearls
are used in all sorts of settings and types of jewelry. Rings, necklaces, and
earrings are popular choices, but bracelets and watches can also include pearls.
Some people enjoy the look of irregularly shaped freshwater pearls for their
jewelry collection, but others prefer the more uniform roundness found in
akoya, South Sea or Tahitian pearls. Settings that hold the pearl firmly in
place are best when it comes to preventing damage.
How to Wear Pearls
Once
delegated to the Sunday-best wardrobe or wedding attire, women are now wearing
pearls on a daily basis. Even when paired with jeans, they add a touch of
elegance. One of the most popular ways to wear pearls is on a necklace, like this pendant from Milano.
A necklace can be worn in a variety of lengths, from very short to long enough
to double up.
Many
women like to wear pearl necklaces in layers so that the different lengths and
pearl diameters offer a textured look. In fact, with all sorts of pearl
jewelry, “more is more” seems to be the common theme. Earrings are often large,
dangly and chandelier-like. Rings will commonly feature multiple pearls sometimes
paired with diamonds. The romance of pearls lends itself well to the current chunky
bracelet trend, too. Multiple rows of pearls paired with gold chains or bangles
create a weighty yet elegant look to wintertime ensembles.
Caring for Your
Pearls
If
you would like to stock up on pearl jewelry, you have a couple different
directions you could go. However, if you choose to invest in cultured pearls or
if you are lucky enough to inherit a set of natural pearls, you’ll want to
treat them very carefully.
Pearls
can be damaged or scratched easily, so take them off as soon as you get home.
If they need to be cleaned, use a gentle cleanser and light touch to scrub them
before letting them air dry. If you notice they are starting to lose their
luster, this might be because they’ve come into contact with perfume or
chemicals. Be sure to steer clear of both, even hairspray, when you are wearing
pearls.
Store
your jewelry in
a dark, cool place when it’s not being worn. Also, consider getting your
necklaces restrung every few years to protect the longevity of your valuable
pearls.
Pearl
jewelry will never go out of style. You can make sure your jewelry sets last
well into the future by choosing quality pieces and taking good care of them.
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