Pearl earrings: Something different for L.

Pearl alert! Kojima Company, purveyor of fascinating and unusual pearls, are having a special two-day sale, from October 23 to October 25, 2013.

20% off all orders over $300; use coupon code: pearl of a girl 



L., who visited last month, asked what I'd suggest in pearl earrings "beyond boring studs". I bristled slightly, thinking of the white baroque studs in my makeup bag; they cost around $35 on eBay from a Hong Kong vendor, go with everything and if lost, no big deal. 

But L. is right, they don't provide the frisson of a standout pair. 

Her budget was "not over $500, maybe $600"; she prefers gold and is drawn to dangles. I figured we'd take a few flyers.

Here are the unusual earrings that I showed her.

1. Hip lip
Ceci n'est pas une boucle d'oreille. Delfinia Delletrez single pearl with lips earring, about $585 via farfetch.com; about & $585. Guaranteed head-swiveller.

2. Hoop-la!
I fell for Mizuki's pearl and 14k gold wire earrings, and was a little pushy about it, if "Buy these!" is pushy. So spare, but as the Twist site says, a change from the ubiquitous gold hoop. The pearls are 3/8" diameter, so that's about 10mm. Price, $330.

3. Exotic charmers
Beladora II's seed pearl vintage-style dangles, $495. Pennies per wear, because they'll look gorgeous with her jackets, jeans or best dress. 

4. Glam greens
Gump's 8.5mm green Tahitian dangles, $750. These are over budget, but well-priced for top-quality Tahitians. I thought she might dismiss the classic setting, but she said, "Ohhhh."

 

5. L. was back home by the time I found these Kasumi drops on Kojima Company's site or I would have babbled at her; instead, I sent the link! They are now on sale and will likely be snapped up. These are natural colour, 10mm-11mm, set in 14k. They are not perfect pearls, but I think their character overrides that... just like us.

I'd wear every one of the choices, though it would take a certain mood to get me into #1. That earring could, though, become one's signature accessory. "Give that Negroni to the lady with the lips."

I hoped to announce a winner, but L., suddenly sitting with a case of Tahitian lust, wants to reassess her budget and drop a hint to her perenially-gift-challenged sweetheart. This is wise; her choice should be a coup de coeur, not a best-of-the-bunch. 

As in love, look around, but when the time is right, take the leap!