A New Year in pearls, modern and vintage
The Passage traditionally re-opens with a post on pearls—like a glass of champagne, a predictably fizzy pleasure.
Readers have sent links to pearl exhibits and jewelers, which is a real treat! Reader Meg from Australia introduced me to Australian jeweler Jan Logan, who uses South Sea and freshwater pearls. Her designs are on the classic side, but not stiff. (I have converted $AUS to $US at time of writing.)
Four-pearl earrings set in 9k yellow gold; price, $266:
Pearls scattered among smoky and rutilated quartz beads, linked with silver make a piquant 95cm/37-inch rope; price, $285:
Her chic bola of hematite and smoky quartz tipped with two deep, glowy Tahitians frames those luxurious pearls and keeps the price a relatively reasonable $778:
Modern pearls are not an oxymoron. Young designers are drawn to them because while pearls add allure, they also integrate well with pieces you already own.
These earrings, by Aesa (the company of the New York-based designer Randi Mates) use brass and half-pearls, which in the hands of a very talented designer result in Curving Pearl earrings; price, $235:
Aesa's Rivulets pearl pendant presents seven 3mm pearls set in brass on a 24-inch silver chain. Layered or on its own, a current, quiet beauty; price, $310.
Vintage pearl pieces are among my very favourites because of the workmanship and value. (Pearls hold up very well unless you're mean to them.)
Slip on this ca. 1980s pearl and turquoise ring, and immediately winter lifts; very Italian-chic! From Beladora; price, $495:
Many pieces in the Passage's windows today might inspire you to update pearls you're not wearing, using a design you see here as inspiration. But sometimes, the piece of your dreams has already been made— so the smart thing is to take the leap, and wear the daylights out of it.
Readers have sent links to pearl exhibits and jewelers, which is a real treat! Reader Meg from Australia introduced me to Australian jeweler Jan Logan, who uses South Sea and freshwater pearls. Her designs are on the classic side, but not stiff. (I have converted $AUS to $US at time of writing.)
Four-pearl earrings set in 9k yellow gold; price, $266:
Pearls scattered among smoky and rutilated quartz beads, linked with silver make a piquant 95cm/37-inch rope; price, $285:
Her chic bola of hematite and smoky quartz tipped with two deep, glowy Tahitians frames those luxurious pearls and keeps the price a relatively reasonable $778:
Modern pearls are not an oxymoron. Young designers are drawn to them because while pearls add allure, they also integrate well with pieces you already own.
These earrings, by Aesa (the company of the New York-based designer Randi Mates) use brass and half-pearls, which in the hands of a very talented designer result in Curving Pearl earrings; price, $235:
Aesa's Rivulets pearl pendant presents seven 3mm pearls set in brass on a 24-inch silver chain. Layered or on its own, a current, quiet beauty; price, $310.
Vintage pearl pieces are among my very favourites because of the workmanship and value. (Pearls hold up very well unless you're mean to them.)
Slip on this ca. 1980s pearl and turquoise ring, and immediately winter lifts; very Italian-chic! From Beladora; price, $495:
Many pieces in the Passage's windows today might inspire you to update pearls you're not wearing, using a design you see here as inspiration. But sometimes, the piece of your dreams has already been made— so the smart thing is to take the leap, and wear the daylights out of it.
Comments
Another spot-on post as I've been thinking for a while of combining my too-small pearls with other stones in some way. The necklace you show is a great inspiration, the idea would work for a bracelet as well.
Thank you for all your lovely posts, I've learned so much from you and your community of readers. Your work is appreciated.
Happy New Year.
Welcome back!
Pseu. Mme.L-b and LPC: Maybe you could time-share!
hostess: That pendant may well suit any age as it has enough presence, unlike very dainty pearl pendants, but I would like to try it on to confirm my guess ;)
Gretchen: It is wonderful that you are wearing her pearls. (I well understand anyone who does not want touch a strand that has such deep sentiment, so layering is then the way to go.)
It may be chilly for Annapolis but I doubt you are walking on 2 inches of glare ice as we are here. Some sidewalks have grit or salt on them but it's still absolutely treacherous underfoot.
A question for you: I have smallish pearl studs given to me 30 years ago by the husband. What to do? (I need a young niece to pass them along to, but lo, they're all getting older, too...)
I imagine they are 5-6mm which is small but, if they are in good shape, excellent reno material. See this page for ideas:
http://www.bluenile.com/ca/pearl-jewellery/pearl-earrings?track=NavJwlCatEarPea
Another idea: two-pearl earrings, like this:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/81142052/double-pearl-earrings-set-wedding?ref=sr_gallery_17&ga_search_query=double+pearl+earring&ga_ref=auto3&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery
In that case you would buy two new pearls, for example, these pink buttons, to place below your small whites:
http://kojimapearl.myshopify.com/products/pink-lavender-button-pearls
If your earrings are in good shape but you don't want to reno, then do pass them on, if not to a niece, to some other wonderful young woman.
You show such beautiful pearls here on your post. I love seeing them.
Warm regards
Meg