Petite pearls
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| Photo: AmericanPearl.com |
But.
Some women are petite, some want other elements of a piece to shine, and some feel that a leap to mega-millimeter size is just too much.
When Christine bought this 2mm pearl-sprinkled garland, I agreed instantly that it was perfect. Yes, there is a place for petite pearls.
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| Petite pearl garland |
1. Used as multi-strand necklaces.
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| Grey torsade |
Ross Simons sell a seven-strand 4.0-4.5mm grey pearl torsade with a silver hook clasp; price, $95 for 16, 18 or 20 inches. With a shirt and pair of jeans you have a striking pearl accessory for likely less than the price of your pants.
Gump's pretty pastels, to twist or knot at whim. Seventy-two inches of 5-5.5mm freshwater pearls; price, $500. (Gump's pearls are pricey, but there are sales, and the quality is high.)
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| Gump's pastel mix |
2. Used in a piece of delicacy and discreet charm.
There is no lovelier example than BeladoraII's freshwater pearl and diamond lariat, with tiny pearls threading through a white gold and diamond circle. Price $495–and I could not imagine a more rafinée accent for a neck.
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| BeladoraII pearl and diamond lariat |
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| deserttalisman ivory and pearl necklace |
Hello, modern-jewelry lovers! A fossilized ivory shard hanging on a 'chain' of bronze seed and button pearls is fine, yet earthy. The price is $227 from etsy seller deserttalismans.
3. When small pearls suit you.
Petite, slim, fine-boned women can carry delicate pearls (but can also stun in a substantial strand of Tahitians). One of my summer visitors was such a woman, and it is she I thought of when I found the piece below.
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| Cathy Waterman 2mm pearl rope |
This 2mm white freshwater pearl necklace is delicacy pearl-sonified; a petite woman will twist this around her long neck and look sublime. She might also layer it; the 22k toggle closure elevates the pearlettes from ordinary to elegant. Made by Cathy Waterman. Length, 32 inches; price, $988 from Twist.
Caveat: A strand too small is no strand at all.
If buying a classic round strand, size does count. So that you can judge for yourself, here is a series of photos from American Pearl. The first shows small, 5.5-6mm pearls.
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| 5.5-6mm |
Let's move up to 7.5mm-8mm. This is the minimum size for a woman who no longer wants "jeune fille" jewelry, regardless of her size or shape.
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| 7.5-8mm |
And now to the 9.5mm-10mm., my preferred size, but then, I am tall and large. They are admittedly more costly, but you can wear the right size forever; too-small is a false economy.
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| 9.5-10mm |
Every 2mm adds a doubling effect to the visual sense of size. You'll see more glow, more of the mysterious essence of the pearl with each 2mm jump; even a 1.5 mm increase will look much bigger.
Petite pearls flirt, big pearls seduce. In-between pearls are nostalgic souvenirs that beg for restyling, and will then delight you all over again.
One of my favourite ways to restyle a necklace: convert to a bracelet.
Shown, a bracelet from Kojima Company, of 7mm akoyas (often the size and type of the "wedding dress necklace"), styled with one blue 9mm pearl and a modern 'bean' clasp. Price, $270.
Why not retain the sentiment, wear the pearls and have a new piece, all for a modest investment?
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| Small pearls restyled to bracelet |
Shown, a bracelet from Kojima Company, of 7mm akoyas (often the size and type of the "wedding dress necklace"), styled with one blue 9mm pearl and a modern 'bean' clasp. Price, $270.
Why not retain the sentiment, wear the pearls and have a new piece, all for a modest investment?
Comments
LOVE that "desert talisman" necklace!
I wear my short 6mm strand with larger baroque strands as I agree about them being too girlish.
I never tire of these pearl posts! You find the most tempting pieces to share with us.
Large pearls on some of us do bring out the dowager, and it's not always a good thing. At 5'6" but getting smaller, I am wary of becoming a bantam in my old age.
I had no idea that was what debutant meant in French - now it all makes sense!
Thanks for the ideas about incorporating small pearls into a different design. Like Hostess says, I never tire of the pearl posts.
Pearl size should be a function of age. For a young girl, a 6 mm single strand is adorable. We just purchased a 16 inch single strand of 6.5-7 mm pearls from Mikimoto with matching pearl stud earrings. They would make a great Christmas gift for a girl in her 20's.
For a mature woman, small pearls just look a little to twee.
I agree with LPC. Smaller 5-7 mm pearls make great multi strand bracelets. Even smaller pearls work well in a multi-strand torsade.
6.5 - 7.5 mm pearls will work well in a triple strand but for a single strand necklace for a woman of a certain age,it's 9 mm or bigger, in my opinion.
I'm more than happy to go full dowager with 14-16 mm pearls!
What I'm loving now is this negligee style necklace of diamond beads with two huge Tahitian pearls.
It's the perfect mix of classic with edgy n'est-ce pas?
http://www.beladora.com/Diamond-Bead-and-Tahitian-Pearl-Necklace-in-18K/503483/
i love over the top jewelry. i'm in my -ahem- mid-40s and a petite 5'2". have been eying these 10-13 in beauties.
http://www.ross-simons.com/products/630810.html
is this too over the top? how reputable is ross-simon for high end goods?
Second: Price is very, very good. Here is a strand to compare:
http://www.pearlparadise.com/18inch-AAAA-100120-mm-Tahitian-Round-Pearl-Necklace3942.aspx
but the PP ones might be higher quality.
Notice the reviewer says there are 'small blemishes'. This would be fine with me, I like pearls that are genuine and look it. She says the luster (and matching) are very good, which I'd far rather have than absolutely no blemishes. (Spotting, uneven nacre that looks like chipped paint, or pitting are unacceptable flaws.)
Ross Simons are reputable and have a 30-day no risk return policy, so why not order and see?
You could also order the PP strand to compare, or these, slightly smaller:
http://shop.kojimapearl.com/products/gem-quality-peacock-tahitian-pearls
Look at them in natural daylight. Do they have overtones, the play of colour that seems to float over the pearl? Do the pearls have life?
Try them on with a few different favourite tops. If you do not want to take them off, they are yours.
I am going to restring them on a black string and replace the clasp with something interesting, maybe also add a pendant.
Thanks for this informative post!
Susan Tiner: Small pearls used as the 'chain' for a pendant is a great way to restyle.
Stringing small pearls on black thread is a more modern effect, though the small pearls, emphasized by the contrast b/t pearl and thread, look even smaller.
I like the idea of an interesting clasp (and am always on the lookout for them.) Some jewelers make decorative clasps that act like a focal bead.
Pseu: You are right next door to the wonderful Zara Scoville of Priceless Imperfection. (She works in both gold and silver. I would love to have a piece of hers and it seems like your style, too.
Gretchen: Wow, you have some pearls I'd love to see. I usually don't wear pearl ER and necklace together either but have liked that on others.
hostess: Another good way to wear them if one can still "fit into" a 16 inch strand- I cannot ;).
LPC: There is a lot of territory b/t 6mm and really big pearls, yours to explore. Dowager never comes to mind with a string of funky baroques, but with perfect South Sea headlights, yes. My godmother did her laundry with a massive strand of Mikimotos hanging over the machine.
sisty: Model knows what's what! Thank you.
Bourbon & Pearls: Women who have a classic strand should take a hard look at size every decade. No reason not to size up now that a good 10mm strand is no more than a pair of Louboutins... well, maybe throw in a wellie.
Belle: Madonna, that is gorgeous, thank you for putting this in my head... I think!
Twee is the word I was searching for, that's it exactly.
I have been occasionally thinking about restringing a strand of smaller pearls. When I was at my jewelers the other day, they were showing me some clasps for some banded agate beads which really intrigued me and now I am contemplating something similar for the pearls. I don't remember the name of the company, but it is German, and they drill into two (or three) beads or pearls to make either a hidden clasp using a bead, or there are several decorative bead-like clasps in silver or gold, with or without gemstones, that can function as a clasp and/or accent piece. Some of the options were very architectural and modern and I liked the idea of having a strong focal point which could also be changed if desired.
Good article too. I'm tall and large myself, and I remember vividly the aunt I most look like - those tiny pearls and little chains made her look like a transvestite (nothing wrong with that, if you're trying for it..). I've definitely gone overboard with the size in reaction, and like it much better that way. I wear men's watches for instance. Thanks for pointing out pearls can be adult.
But I find it difficulty to buy any jewelry at all in France, where all women will be petite, whether they like it or not :-).
You might also visit a jeweler like Lucile (31 bd Raspail, Paris) to have a longer or larger piece made; they have done so for me, and I am very happy.