The extraordinary beauty of pearl jewelry

Range

In jewelry, precious material appears independently or as an insert. Depending on this, there are two types of accessories:

• pearl jewelry: necklaces, necklaces, bracelets, pendants without frames;
• products with pearls: earrings, rings, pendants in metal frames.

Designers love to work with pearls, known as baroque pearls. These are not round stones, but fancy, bizarre shapes. Sometimes such a “defect” makes the product unique, increasing the price several times.

In serial jewelry, pearls are rarely forced into the proximity of other stones. More often these are solo inserts or a composition of multi-colored pearls. The delicacy of the material requires taste and skill in order for the result to be worthy. Craftsmen undertake such experiments, performing individual original works.

The setting of the jewelry is made of precious or simple metals, depending on the quality or origin of the pearl.

Rules for choosing jewelry

When starting to select pearl jewelry, consider the appearance. What becomes the main characteristics that the buyer pays attention to:

• shine intensity;
• originality of packaging;
• complexity and intricacy of the design, pattern.

But color and shape can be deceiving; the appearance of the imitation is similar to natural pearls. Glass balls filled with wax are covered with mother-of-pearl and shine just like natural samples. How to choose jewelry if you want to become the owner of original gems? There are some simple recommendations:

1. Weight. Artificial material is lighter, it is almost weightless. Natural samples are heavier due to their structure: it should be remembered that inside there is a grain of sand, another foreign body that is overgrown with mother-of-pearl.
2. Structure. Natural stones rarely achieve a perfectly round shape during formation; some subtle flaws should remain. The layers of mother-of-pearl are located one above the other unevenly, and often a smooth surface is not obtained. You can run your hand over the top layer. If it is perfectly smooth, this is a sign of artificial formation. The baroque look (baroque), which has an irregular but original shape, is valuable among jewelry makers.
3. Strength. Beads, falling from a small height, spring back and bounce, remaining intact. The fake rolls along the surface, practically not rising above it.
4. Price. Pearl products cannot be cheap. Even if you imagine the entire process of forming a pearl pea, you can understand that the price simply cannot be low. Imitation has low cost.
5. Glare. Real pearl jewelry gives off different colored highlights. Light peas have a bluish tint. Artificial ones are pink or green.

The characteristics of stones of different origins are sometimes not important to the buyer. He just wants to buy a beautiful product. Then it’s worth learning how to care for different materials. A beautiful, inexpensive imitation will transform a person’s image, but will not last long.

How to wear pearls

The gem is popular in all levels of society and is appropriate for any time of year or day. But it is too noticeable, and therefore requires special attention when choosing and using jewelry.

Color, shape, quantity

The choice of color is a matter of taste. However, skin tone and wardrobe colors are taken into account:

• for ladies with dark or slightly olive skin, peach or golden pearls are ideal; for ladies with fair skin, the pinkish range of the stone is intended;
• the shade of colored pearls harmonizes with the color of your eyes or wardrobe.

Pearl beads
The first purchase, according to experts, should be a white round classic. The value of such a necklace or bracelet made of pearls is beyond time or the whims of fashion. The decoration looks sophisticated, expensive and elegant.

An abundance of pearl accessories in one outfit is in bad taste. However, for an evening out, a set of earrings, bracelet, and necklace is appropriate. Jewelry should not “overshadow” the owner.

Wardrobe

A classic option with white pearls is a wedding dress. But the scope of its use is wider.

Pearl jewelry is worn every day with different things:

1. The most recognizable option is the little black dress by the great Coco Chanel.
2. A plain top and trousers or jeans with baroque pearls or multi-colored strands of pearls are an interesting solution for a walk, a friendly party, or get-togethers.
3. Pearls are the best office option: they look more elegant than other gems, but do not attract undue attention to the detriment of work. One thread will do (medium bead size): multi-layer or long beads, bracelets with large links are excluded.
4. An elegant evening look will be completed with a necklace: for a plain dress, choose pearls of an original shade (they will become the accent of the image). A multi-colored or embroidered outfit is complemented by a set: a light short necklace made of regular-shaped beads, plus earrings and a bracelet.
5. Jewelry with natural colored pearls is not worn during the day: it is an evening attribute for special occasions.
6. With a business suit or dress for an informal team event, you should wear a short choker-type necklace. As an addition, stud earrings are welcome; shoulder-length earrings are not acceptable.

Long earrings with pearls are worn for the evening if the hostess is proud of her swan neck and complexion and seeks to attract attention to them. In this case, the hair is combed upward, preferably higher.

Pearl jewelry set

Age

Pearls, like most gemstones, are not universal. It is not intended for children or school-age girls.

Usually a girl receives her first piece of pearl jewelry as a wedding gift. An independent young lady can afford it.

If your pearl necklace feels dated or outdated, it's easy to modernize it. For example, attach an elegant pendant of a current design that matches the tone of beads or clothing, or a neutral one.

If you are lucky enough to acquire a necklace made of natural pearls, accessories of the appropriate level are selected for it. Cheap ones will devalue the decoration.

A variety of delicate pearls: elegant and unusual jewelry for every taste

When creating jewelry with precious and semi-precious stones, we always strive to find out their origin, the legends and secrets that envelop them and give them their mood and their own, distinctive character. Recently, while working with pearls, we decided to gain new information about them, which we are happy to share with you.

Women all over the world love to decorate themselves with pearls We like it for its democratic nature - pearls can be easily combined with an evening outfit or with everyday wear - and it will not look ridiculous. In this article, we have selected the history of its origin, characteristics in different cultures, sets of current jewelry with pearls, fashionable clothing combinations and, of course, seasoned this whole cocktail with a couple of quotes from the great Coco Chanel - the one who owes pearls a second birth and a strong position on the catwalks all over the world.

hope you enjoy

Pearls are of organic origin - they are formed in their shells by some mollusks. This is their natural defense against irritation caused by foreign bodies trapped inside. The structure of a pearl is similar to the structure of the inner surface of a shell. Its main components are calcium carbonate in the form of aragonite and conchiolin, a protein substance. The mollusk envelops any object that irritates it in concentric layers of aragonite-conchiolin plates. Forms rounded calcareous formations, which are found in the shells of some marine and freshwater bivalves.

The characteristic shine is the result of the play of light between the layers. Pearls are white, silver-white, cream or hot pink. Golden brown and black pearls are less common.

The name of the mineral comes from the Latin word “pernula”, which translates as “sea shell”. The very word “pearl” is consonant with the Chinese, Arabic and Tatar names for this stone.

Pearls used for jewelry are divided into three types:

• freshwater pearls - they are mined in the rivers of Russia, China, Germany, and North America;
• South sea pearls are found or cultivated off the coast of Australia, the Philippines, Myanmar, the islands of Polynesia and Indonesia;
• Akoya pearls from the seas around Japan are the most prized because they have a particularly beautiful luster.

The shape of pearls can be anything from completely irregular (such pearls are called baroque) to spherical. The color of pearls depends on the type of mollusks that created them and the conditions in which this happened.

Those pearl products that are currently offered by the jewelry industry usually use cultured stone, that is, one that is grown with human participation. It is evaluated according to the same criteria as “wild” - color, gloss, size, shape and surface cleanliness. For pearls grown using the nuclear method (with a nacre ball as a foreign body), the thickness of the layer is also determined. Sea pearls are significantly more expensive than river pearls, since their quality characteristics are much higher.

Humanity has known about pearls for more than six thousand years. Even before our era, this stone was especially popular among many peoples. It is believed that the first people in the world to discover the mineral were the inhabitants of India, the Middle East, and the tribes of South America.

In Europe, pearls are a symbol of durability, in India they are a symbol of prosperity and well-being. The pearl is a symbol of incorruptibility and perfection. In China it is a symbol of fertility and magical power, in Greece and India it is a symbol of marriage. In many countries, pearls are believed to promote longevity. Its contemplation calms the psyche, brings peace of mind and peace. It is noted that pearls protect against the torment of unrequited love, and also inform about the illness of the owner, losing their shine. In the East, they believe that a ring with a pearl protects against thieves, dishonest deals, and protects from the evil eye.

In Russia, they began to extract it from river water only in the 10th century AD.

Even then, pearls were very valuable. They were used to decorate hats, clothes, weapons and icons. A pearl is attractive from its very formation; unlike other minerals, it does not require processing. And our ancestors in those distant times did not yet know how to process hard stones. Perhaps this circumstance influenced the rapid growth of the popularity of the mineral.

In China, they tried to process every precious stone so that it received the shape of a pearl, because it was considered ideal. Every high-ranking nobleman wore an ornament with pearls in his headdress; this was a distinctive sign of noble and rich people.

Like opal, pearls are considered an unlucky jewel. The negative power of the Moon, which it possesses in full, destroys the hopes of its owner and eliminates all kinds of illusions. Perhaps this disadvantage can even be considered an advantage. Many considered and continue to consider pearls as “frozen tears.” Perhaps this is why pearls are the only stone that could previously be worn as jewelry during mourning. Pearl is a stone born of the sea and contains very lively and strong energy.

It protects love and is considered a stone that can help maintain chastity. A very strong amulet for lovers, it helps to achieve reciprocity, and then preserve love throughout life. It will help its owner find a common language with almost any person. Calms evil hearts. Doesn't tolerate cheating.

Chanel said: “I made a fortune with pearls and jewelry.” Needless to say, she knew a lot about good jewelry.

The great hoaxer Chanel gave women quite affordable luxury. She ordered fake pearls so as not to wear real ones. She liked the result so much that she decided to make all women feel attractive - she found people who began making pseudo-pearl necklaces for her atelier. Coco liked to repeat that you should only wear fake jewelry on the street, and you should only wear real jewelry at home to please yourself. Speaking about jewelry, she said: “I make fake ones and very beautiful ones. They are even more beautiful than the real ones.” The popular Chanel pearl beads are not made from real pearls or even artificial ones; the beads are glass and covered with mother-of-pearl, which makes them look like real ones.

Today, pearl products of both classic and complex designs are popular - from the usual pearl strands to massive double-pearl earrings created by jeweler Camilla Miceli for Dior. For many years now, not only jewelry, but also fashion houses, from Valentino to Givenchy, have been looking for an alternative to the laconic necklaces that we pay attention to first.

We love pearls because they pair with both sheath dresses and cozy sweaters. If you don’t know what to wear to an important reception, look for a minimalist dress in your closet and complete the look with pearls. Classic of the genre - little black dress. Pearls “soften” strict trouser suits and overalls, or add even more charm to romantic looks. Pearl-studded pumps, bold ear cuffs, layered bracelets or choker necklaces - there is plenty to choose from.

Here are some very interesting jewelry with pearls. Earrings:

Rings:

Various decorations:

This is the kind of beauty that nature produces. And the master’s imagination shapes it into stunning jewelry.

We hope you liked our article and were interested in learning something new for yourself.

What to consider when choosing pearls

When planning to buy jewelry, you need to realize that the mining of natural ocean pearls has been prohibited for almost 70 years.

1. Natural material available for free sale - river or sea cultured. It's not cheap. The most prominent representative of this segment is the Japanese brand Mikimoto, whose products sell for hundreds or thousands of dollars.
2. When choosing, they evaluate the shine: the natural shine of natural pearls comes from the inside, and is not distributed superficially. Only a real pearl or a high-quality cultured analogue can reflect light in this way.
3. The jewelry of the Spanish company Mallorca is famous for its high level and more affordable prices. In its products, the shine of the beads is hardly distinguishable from natural, but the material is stronger, more varied in shape and color. The technology is such that the final product is not considered a fake.

This brand requires attention: there is an abundance of jewelry with artificial “Majorka” on sale. Manufacturers almost always indicate this, so you need to read the label and estimate the cost.

Fashion trends

Fashion gurus delight with modern jewelry with pearls in chocolate shades. They have a unique shine and rich color. The option is universal, looks organically with all types and colors of leather, fur or fabric.

Any “chocolate” pearl accessory is a stylish item in your wardrobe, suitable for business and casual outfits.

However, it is expensive; jewelers save such pearls for platinum or gold jewelry (750°).

Even wedding jewelry can have this color - for those who like to slightly shock the audience. Although specialists from Mallorca, Mikimoto and other top companies prefer proven white.

Wedding jewelry made of pearls

Products with colored pearls are for ladies who love to experiment and stand out from the crowd.

Handmade is always fashionable. There are enough courses and material on the Internet, and in literature stores, to master decorating pearls with your own hands. A clutch embroidered with beads, jeans, beads originally assembled into a brooch or pin, and other jewelry with pearls will become unique. And the envy of your girlfriends.

How to wear pearls to be on trend

How to wear pearl jewelry such as necklaces today?
One, two or more threads? What size pearls to choose and what to combine them with? Pearls look equally impressive at any age. Modern fashion reserves for us the right to wear one, two, etc. pearl necklaces. threads Although stylists talk about it this way - the older the woman, the greater the number of threads she can wear, but for the youngest it is better to allow only one.

The same applies to the size of pearls - beads with a smaller diameter are intended for young people; with age, large pearls can be used. But I would like to stop here, because lately we have seen constant violation of rules everywhere (in fashion), so it is better and more interesting for a woman with taste and style to figure it out and experiment on her own. Now let's look at the most interesting ideas of designers.

Price

The Russian market offers a range to suit every taste and budget.

The cost of jewelry is determined by the quality and origin of the pearls. The material of the frame and the final price of the jewelry (RUB) depend on this:

• silver brooch with a single pearl – 12 (Australian white) – 42 (Tahitian black) thousand;
• pink river small baroque bracelet – 625;
• silver ring with a white river pearl – 1,250.

Wedding jewelry (faux pearls, rub.):

• decoration such as a tiara – 1500;
• hairpins – 800;
• choker necklace – 650.

Author's works (thousand rubles):

• set (earrings, bracelet, necklace) made of jasper, amazonite and artificial pearls – 3.1;
• set (earrings plus necklace) made of faux Majorca – 2.7.

Set of pearl jewelry
Material for needlewomen: cultured freshwater - from 180 to 2 thousand, artificial - 5-30 rubles. per bead.

We recommend watching the video: how to make jewelry with pearls with your own hands.

Types of pearl necklaces

Jewelry made from natural pearls creates the basis for style trends. Stones look depending on the conditions of their creation, extraction technology and place of cultivation. Pearls are classified by grade. Most popular:

1. Tahitian. The color of pearls is silver, black, gray.
2. Mabe. The most saturated in radiance and brilliance. Black and gray pearls are considered rare.
3. Akoya. The color of the beads is white, pink and cream.
4. South Sea. The variety is considered the largest. Among them, rare samples are similar in tone to gold nuggets.
5. Cortez. The characteristic of the variety is flickering. The most popular color is black, which gently reflects and changes the saturation of the tone.

Stones become the basis for creating elegant necklaces. They are also divided into groups according to style directions. Some add elegance, others add charm, and others add tenderness. The buyer can only decide on his desire. Types of necklaces:

1. Bib necklace. Symbol of elegance. Pearl strands come in different lengths and quantities. More often than not, there are several threads, they are intertwined, creating an original composition. The threads can be placed one after another, mixed into a braid, creating volume. The length of the decoration is up to 30–40 cm.
2. Princess. Classic style. It is universal, suitable for any style of clothing. The length is approximately 47 cm. Individual Princess necklaces are made even longer - up to 60 cm. Their name is Matine. Such jewelry will add zest to a business suit and emphasize the originality of an evening outfit.
3. Opera. The necklace is wrapped around the neck, creating an amazing beaded scarf. The length of such a thread reaches 90 cm. This is Rope. Beautiful knots were invented for it that fall onto the clothes.

The necklace can be one color or combine several pearl shades. All types are selected to suit the person’s character, his clothing style, eye and skin color. Chocolate tones are more versatile.