Pearls: June's gem, for all year
Annemarie wrote with a pearl request: Could you suggest a pearl piece for her best friend's special birthday in mid-June? I asked for the budget and a bit about this woman's style—but Annemarie did not wish to impose a limit; she asked for a range. Friend is "tired of the one classic pearl necklace she has had forever", but, Annemarie said, "she wouldn't like big dangly earrings or a bold necklace." I put my little pearl heart into finding choices.
I wanted to share these with you; they are too sublime to live in one email—or to wear only in June!
Under $200
Left: A calm piece of Chinese freshwater pearl, opal and green quartz from Canadian designer Soma Mo; price, $CDN 110. The "Lotus 116" bracelet can be resized on request.
Top right: Detail, delicate gold and pearl necklace (adjustable, 16-18 in.) of 4mm freshwater pearls interspersed with gold vermeil spacers. She could layer this with that classic strand to add interest and texture—or wear alone. Price, $CDN 71 from Etsy seller BeyondBasia.
$250 and up
Top left: This blue-violet Tahitian pendant (14k white gold) is a very good buy, and I've always said, put it all on one fabulous pearl and you will never regret it. Price, $US 268 from the sustainable pearl farmers, Kamoka Pearl.
Top right: Pond, based in London, make intriguing, original pearl pieces using recycled and new pearls along with other repurposed elements. The mismatched "Roman Earrings" on 9k gold wire are perfect for summer days. I love it when designers approach pearls with a wink! Price, €165.
Annemarie wrote back to say thanks, and added that her own birthday is two weeks later so, she has sent my email to her partner, because "he is always stuck for ideas, and last year he gave me a "lifetime garden hose".
Nice, but lifetime pearls are better!"
Comments
Ceci
As always, thanks for sharing your finds dear Duchesse.
So many lovely colours - I could lose my head, if they shipped to the UK. I've emailed them to see whether they do...
A lifetime garden hose! Hilarious, though probably not at the time.
Leslie M: Our fragrance goddess, Gwen of perfumeniche.com, has a Kojima freshwater on neon knots and it is just terrific; I agree, hot pink!
Eve: I find them reasonable too; that's part of why I always advocate for genuine pearls.
The husband of a friend gave her a huge Swiss Army knife for her 50th birthday, the model with about 20 tool . She was as displeased as I have ever seen anyone. She took it back to the store, and the two saleswomen who sold it to him said, "We tried to tell him! We're so sorry!"
Some or all of the pearls may be used, along with the gold elements you mention, and a new clasp. It is also possible to add new pearls.
There are two ways to proceed:
1. If your daughter knows a jeweller whose work she loves, and who makes commissioned work, visit that jeweller together.
2. If not, take your time to look, and build an idea board of pieces she likes; look online or visit shops and galleries.
It will help the jeweller if you and she have some ideas about overall preferences. Also,I have written a number of posts on renovating pearls. Enter "pearls" in the search field and away you go.
Here is a necklace I really like, the design could be adapted (but, I don't know that it's right for your daugher):
https://shop.shibumigallery.com/pearl-tube-necklace-with-14k-gold.html
(I am posting Lin's comment, which I accidentally deleted when it ended up in my Comment Moderation foolder.)
The only reason I do a French tuck - the mini tuck version as shown in the second photo - is to avoid having my more fitted knit tops or tees rub against the top of the trouser placket, which can be a bit rough. I've had a few tops fraying at just that spot and I'm not good enough to invisibly mend those tiny holes right in the front and centre of the tops! So the fashion of the French tuck was quite convenient in that way, even though I do agree it really does look silly. Suppose I should really commit to tucking my tops all around! :)
Re: cold shoulder tops - ughh, what a terrible trend, can't believe it actually lasted more than one season. Although, a genuine cold shoulder top can look nice, maybe even occasionally somewhat sexy, but 99% of tops sold as "cold shoulder" were actually "cold upper arm" really and looked ridiculous.
Lin
As for gifts--I dislike them generally. A long time ago, i asked Tom for this gift: to make my appointments for various medical necessities (which I procrastinate about--sometimes for years) and then to take me to them. Best gifts ever, year after year. e