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Trend: Unusual pearl jewellery designs
During the last few years pearls have seen a true resurgence in popularity, due to a greater understanding as to the variety and types of minerals available from the bottom of the sea. Unconventional specimens such as baroque pearls have gone from being undesirable and misunderstood, to being appreciated for their abstract and unusual shapes within contemporary jewellery. The more traditional types of pearls have not been left unnoticed, and regularly get featured in some truly unique an daring designs.
Pearl jewellery was once considered the traditional staple of older women, where strings of them were made into necklaces of a monotonous colour, size, shape and design. In large part, the re-emergence of pearls as feature components in fine jewellery is down to celebrities and influential figures such as Michelle Obama and Kate Middleton wearing them in abundance.
Katerina Perez in Assael baroque pearl and diamond earrings and ring
Consider too, the shift in perception which has led to many jewellery aficionados wearing pieces with gemstones which were traditionally perceived as semi-precious. With times changing, they are now being used more and more because of the beauty of their appearance rather than the inherent financial value, and pearls have fallen to the same fate, due to the undeniable attraction of their lustre.
Assael 'Bubbles' collection rings and necklace by Sean Gilson with Tahitian pearls and coral
Pearls are a material which work with abstract and unexpected jewellery forms, as they provide a direct contrast to the glitter and clarity of diamonds, the vivid saturation of colour in precious gemstones, and the cold reflection of precious metal. Their matte lustre cannot be emulated, and as a result both the very best quality and the most unusual pearls have been pulled to the fashion fore for their moment in the spotlight!
Davide Maule
Davide Maule
'Il Mare D’Inverno' pendant necklace with Tahitian pearl, 3.11ct colourless and brown diamonds in 18k gold
Colette
Colette
'Swirl Huggies' earrings with 1.46ct emeralds and diamonds in black gold
Autore
Autore
'Dragon' necklace with 5.075ct colourless diamonds, black diamonds, moonstones, mother of pearl, and Keshi South Sea Pearls in white gold
Yael Sonia
Yael Sonia
'Spinning Wheel' bracelet from the 'Perpetual Motion' collection' with Tahitian pearls and 18k white gold
Yoko London
Yoko London
'Mayfair' earrings with Australian South Sea pearls and 3.57ct diamonds in 18k white gold
TASAKI
TASAKI
'Abstract Star' necklace in Akoya pearls and 18k yellow gold
Todd Reed
Todd Reed
Cufflinks with Tahitian pearl and coloured diamonds
Tessa Packard
Tessa Packard
'Northbound' earrings with peacock pearls and diamonds in 18k yellow gold
KOVA
KOVA
'Couture' ring with 6.1ct blue spinel, ivory pearl and black diamonds in 18k black gold
Ilgiz F.
Ilgiz F.
'Burdock' ring with faceted pearl, enamel and rubies in 18k yellow gold
Ornella Iannuzzi
Ornella Iannuzzi
'Precious Coral' ring with bi-colour Pistachio Tahitian pearl in black and green rhodium
Nikos Koulis
Nikos Koulis
'Lingerie' necklace with white and silver pearls and diamond in 18k white gold
Jordan Alexander
Jordan Alexander
Necklace with white baroque pearls, wrapped in 18k yellow, rose and white gold chain
Little H
Little H
'Three pearl' earrings with Tahitian Pearl Geode and black diamonds studs, with 2 pearl jacket set with Tahitian keshi pearl, rubies and Golden South Sea keshi pearls in 14K yellow gold
Buccellati
Buccellati
'Snake' brooch from the 'Animal' collection with baroque pearls, colourless diamonds, fancy yellow diamonds and rubies in 18k white, rose and yellow gold
Margot McKinney
Margot McKinney
Necklace with natural coloured cultured pink pearls accented with 30.83ct diamonds, blue sapphires, pink sapphires, orange sapphires, amethysts, and pink tourmaline in 18k rose gold
TASAKI
TASAKI
'Segment' ring in freshwater pearls and 18k yellow gold
Jewelmer
Jewelmer
'Illusion' necklace with South Sea pearl and diamonds in 18k yellow gold
Sarah Ho
Sarah Ho
'Lily Blush' ring with 4.53ct morganite, diamonds and pearls in 18k rose gold
Podnebesnaya
Podnebesnaya
'Pearls and Gem' ring from the 'Spheres' collection with pearls, zircon and diamonds
Hermes
Hermes
'Ombre et lumie' double ring with Tahitian and Akoya pearls and diamonds in 18k rose gold
Sammie Jo Coxon
Sammie Jo Coxon
'Gemini' earrings with freshwater pearls, amethyst, aquamarine, tanzanite, ruby, and fancy sapphire in 18k yellow gold
Qayten
Qayten
'Twist' necklace in gradating white and yellow Akoya pearls
WORDS
Jodie Smith is a San Francisco based writer, trend forecaster and creative consultant specialising in the jewellery and luxury industries.
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