Pearls: Ready for a glowing New Year
Happy New Year, with the traditional pearl post. May you sashay into 2023 with a sense of anticipation.
New year, new makers, new ideas, Several designers caught my ever pearl-seeking eye.
Relaxed real
Soma Mo is a British Columbia-based artist who uses traditional Chinese hand tools to make silver jewellery, most of it with pearls. She regularly returns to her home in Tibet to continue her studies and has also trained in jewellery art and design in Vancouver, B.C
I especially admire her pieces that use kumboo (also spelled Keum-boo), an Asian technique in which 24k gold leaf is hand-hammered over silver, such as the Generating 007 earrings; price, $CDN 188: |
| Photo: Soma Mo |
Because the gold layer is delicate, store them nested in their own box, or try the method I use: recycling the liners of chocolate boxes that are made with little wells for each piece. If you like a less recycled look, ceramic egg cartons are a clever option.
Metal mixing rocks! A dab of gold is enough; for example, the graceful Peach Blossom 027 earrings of grey freshwater pearls on a hand-drawn flower motif; price, $CDN 115.
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| Photo: Soma Mo |
When it's time to polish the earrings, preserve the gold-leaf detail by taking a polishing cloth only over the silver areas.
Try on a new jacket
White/Space "Andromeda" akoya, diamond and 14k gold ear jacket, to be worn with your stud for an instant update. Price, $CDN 650 per jacket; available singly or as a pair. Also made in pink.
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| Photo: White/Space Jewelry.com |
The Ball Ear Jacket earrings below are sold as a pair, with your choice of stud (white, pink or black pearl; gold plate or silver) and jacket (silver, or gold or rose gold plate), so the price is really good, and you can swap in other studs, too.
Made by Montréal's own Flesch Jewelry; price, $CDN 96 for the white pearl/14k gold plate combination shown:
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| Photo: Flesch Jewelry |
For a more tailored jacket, see their Fan Ear Jackets.
Delicate delight
While a strand of plush South Seas makes a spectacular splash, a discreet, lustrous strand will not require an investment that makes your rational brain shout "Whhaaat?"
Jennie Kwon's Pearl Arc necklace of 2mm white oval pearls on an 18in., 14k gold chain layers with what you have; it also will hold its own solo. Price, $CDN 389 at TwistOnline.
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| Photo: Twist Online |
Smart studs
Studs with a little sizzle; I'm forever looking. Shibumi Gallery in Berkeley make several graceful, refined styles.
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| Photos: Shibumi Gallery |
Comments
Well this is a fab selection, with enough lovely variety and interest to keep everyone happy on this (in London, at least) damp and grey January day. We must all keep optimistic, mustn't we, and hope for uplifting moments - domestically and globally - in 2023!