Pearls for June: Why VIPs Love Pearls

June 21, 2022

By Katerina Perez

14 min read

The month of June is now in full swing, and with nothing but riviera cruises and seaside holidays on our mind, how fitting is it that the pearl is this month’s birthstone. Let’s take a deep dive into what society’s most glamorous and talented artists love about this fabulous gem.

Everyone loves a pearl. That’s just the way it is! From their translucent satin finishes to the way they glow against the skin, anyone without exception can wear a piece of pearl jewellery and feel elegant. From a double strand necklace to a simple pair of studs, they are effortlessly beautiful. 

Pearls are truly magical. As the only precious gem created by a living creature, they are the hidden treasures of the sea. The planet’s blue-green depths are filled with conches, oysters and clams that construct these natural marvels we hold in such high regard. Whether natural or cultured (made with human intervention), every pearl is one of a kind, as no two pearls are the same in either colour or often in shape. For this article, it was our mission to find out why this water-based biogenic material yields such power. 

<p>Katerina Marmagioli Pearl, diamond and aquamarine ring</p>

Katerina Marmagioli Pearl, diamond and aquamarine ring

From perfectly round cream-coloured freshwater pearls to Tahitian black pearls, this aquatic gem holds great importance in the world of haute couture, in all its glorious forms. Style icons and revered artists the world over have professed their love of pearls. Celebrated fashion designer Coco Chanel was known for never leaving her house without a strand of pearls around her neck, or a perfect pair of studs, to finish her look. The House of Chanel continues to honour its founder’s love of pearls by including them in many of its fine jewellery creations, as well as in the accents and details of its fashion collections. In her own words: “A woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls.” The epitome of timeless elegance, Grace Kelly favoured pearls above all other gems and was credited with the saying: “I favour pearls on screen and in my private life.” Finally, it was perhaps the fashion icon Jackie Kennedy who said it best: “Pearls are always appropriate.”

<p>Harwell Godfrey pearl and coloured gemstone necklace</p>

Harwell Godfrey pearl and coloured gemstone necklace

It’s important to note that women are not alone in their love of pearls. Over the years, men have developed an affinity for pearl jewellery. From single earrings to a simple strand worn around the neck, they have become stylish and daring accessories of the modern male wardrobe. Italian film director Federico Fellini was mad about pearls: “All art is autobiographical. The pearl is the oyster’s autobiography.” Many pearl jewels today are created with a nod to the male perspective and with men at the helm of many pearl jewellery brands, this versatile wonder has become the most gender-fluid gem of the moment.

<p>David Morris Deco pearl ring and earring</p>

David Morris Deco pearl ring and earring

I had the great pleasure of asking two important pearl brands why they adore working with this delicate gem. The first was Nepalese-born fashion designer Prabal Gurung. Appointed the artistic director of the pearl-centric jewellery brand Tasaki over five years ago, this creative designer also heads his eponymous clothing brand which is known for daring and innovative designs. He has brought a unique energy to his work in fine and high jewellery, using pearls as his dominant medium. He explains: “Pearls are timeless. Taking classic elements and envisioning them in modern designs is one of the many reasons I love working with pearls. Pearls are also extremely personal and versatile – evoking understated elegance or making a glamorous statement – all dependent on the person wearing them and what mood they want to convey. The ability to tell a story through not only elements and the overall design, but also with the person in mind, is always my ultimate goal when designing any piece within Tasaki Atelier.”

<p>Tasaki gold and pearl ear cuff, ring and bangle</p>

Tasaki gold and pearl ear cuff, ring and bangle

Mr Haga, the design director at Mikimoto shares a similar view on pearls. Fascinated with their ability to be both striking and classic, Mr Haga is incredibly proud to be associated with such an important gem: I feel proud of making Mikimoto pearl jewellery using only the highest quality pearls. It is a great honour to work for a company with such heritage and expertise, we will be celebrating Mikimoto’s 130th Anniversary next year and this explains why we continue to create outstanding pearl jewellery.

Now as to why I love pearls, the answer is twofold. Firstly, pearls are easy to wear, and they beautifully elevate seemingly simple looks like the classic jeans and t-shirt combo. That little black dress that we all have in our closet becomes something more than an old faithful, it takes on an understated elegance which lifts your entire outfit. Secondly, the pearls in my jewellery box hold special memories which, like a familiar piece of music, evoke joyful recollections. Over the years I have been gifted pieces of pearl jewellery from dear friends and family members. From a modern Wilfredo Rosado pendant to a classic pair of Bucherer earrings, these are pieces that are not only beautiful to look at, but remind me of those I care for most.

<p>Necklace in pearls, diamonds and white gold</p>

Chanel

Chanel

Necklace in pearls, diamonds and white gold

<p> Necklace in pearls, diamonds and coloured gemstones</p>

Mikimoto

Mikimoto

Necklace in pearls, diamonds and coloured gemstones

<p> Pearl earrings</p>

Ara Vartanian

Ara Vartanian

Pearl earrings

<p> Necklace in pearls and diamonds</p>

Mikimoto

Mikimoto

Necklace in pearls and diamonds

<p> Earrings in pearl, diamonds and coloured gemstones</p>

Boghossian

Boghossian

Earrings in pearl, diamonds and coloured gemstones

<p> Arcane Nemara Noir Necklace in Tahitian pearls, diamonds and white gold</p>

State Property

State Property

Arcane Nemara Noir Necklace in Tahitian pearls, diamonds and white gold

<p> Pearl and diamond earrings</p>

Assael

Assael

Pearl and diamond earrings

<p> Pearl ring</p>

Arman Sarkisyan

Arman Sarkisyan

Pearl ring

<p> Pearl Rose Deco bangle with Akoya pearl, white diamonds and white gold</p>

David Morris

David Morris

Pearl Rose Deco bangle with Akoya pearl, white diamonds and white gold

<p> Bracelet in  pearl and coloured gemstones </p>

Bucherer Fine Jewellery

Bucherer Fine Jewellery

Bracelet in pearl and coloured gemstones

<p> Necklace in pearls and diamonds</p>

Yoko London

Yoko London

Necklace in pearls and diamonds

<p> Ring in pearl and diamond</p>

Marlo Laz

Marlo Laz

Ring in pearl and diamond

<p> Earrings in white gold, pearl and diamond</p>

Boucheron

Boucheron

Earrings in white gold, pearl and diamond

<p> Ring in gold and pearl</p>

Brent Neale

Brent Neale

Ring in gold and pearl

<p> Chakra bracelet in pearls, diamonds, emeralds and yellow gold</p>

ANANYA

ANANYA

Chakra bracelet in pearls, diamonds, emeralds and yellow gold

<p> Luna long necklace with detachable clip in pearls, white gold, diamonds, sapphires, chalcedony, white moonstones, onyx and black opals</p>

Van Cleef & Arpels

Van Cleef & Arpels

Luna long necklace with detachable clip in pearls, white gold, diamonds, sapphires, chalcedony, white moonstones, onyx and black opals

<p> Harumi pearl and gold ring</p>

Goossens

Goossens

Harumi pearl and gold ring

<p> Three Pearl Diamond Swirl Ring</p>

Ashley Zhang

Ashley Zhang

Three Pearl Diamond Swirl Ring

<p> Aqua white pearl necklace</p>

Assael

Assael

Aqua white pearl necklace

<p> B&#038;W pearl pendant earrings</p>

Buccellati

Buccellati

B&W pearl pendant earrings

<p> Earrings in white gold, pearl and precious gemstones </p>

Colette

Colette

Earrings in white gold, pearl and precious gemstones

<p> Ring in gold and pearl</p>

Deborah Pagani

Deborah Pagani

Ring in gold and pearl

<p> Ring in pearl and ruby</p>

Glenn Spiro

Glenn Spiro

Ring in pearl and ruby

<p> Earrings in gold, pearl and diamond</p>

Jemma Wynne

Jemma Wynne

Earrings in gold, pearl and diamond

<p>  Kintsugi Infinity pearl necklace in yellow gold, white gold and akoya pearls</p>

Milamore

Milamore

Kintsugi Infinity pearl necklace in yellow gold, white gold and akoya pearls

<p> Earrings in rose gold, pink sapphire and pearl</p>

Kaltham Pavillion

Kaltham Pavillion

Earrings in rose gold, pink sapphire and pearl

<p> Ring in gold, emerald and black pearl</p>

Suzanne Kalan

Suzanne Kalan

Ring in gold, emerald and black pearl

<p> Ring in white gold and pèarl</p>

Shaun Leane

Shaun Leane

Ring in white gold and pèarl

<p> Earrings in pearl and diamond</p>

MATEO

MATEO

Earrings in pearl and diamond

<p> Pearl Oasis Ring</p>

KATKIM

KATKIM

Pearl Oasis Ring

<p> Earrings in gold, diamond, precious gemstone and pearls </p>

Ri Noor

Ri Noor

Earrings in gold, diamond, precious gemstone and pearls

<p> Ear cuffs pearl and yellow gold </p>

Tasaki

Tasaki

Ear cuffs pearl and yellow gold

<p> Necklace in pearls and carbon</p>

Fabio Salini

Fabio Salini

Necklace in pearls and carbon

<p> Pearl ring</p>

Katerina Marmagioli

Katerina Marmagioli

Pearl ring

<p> Black pearl ring</p>

Picchiotti

Picchiotti

Black pearl ring

<p> Ring in pearl and diamond</p>

La Marquise

La Marquise

Ring in pearl and diamond

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