It's raining pearls!

In today's widows, pieces of light and whimsy after a long, cold winter. I've been thrumming with pleasure as each shower (or if you live here, downpour) brings more delicate green. Today, a window full of special pieces that can be worn all year, no rain gear needed, beginning with this April of beginnings.

Little charmer

A petite Edwardian-inspired sterling silver, amethyst and pearl pin (1in.x1 1/8in.) to wear on a sweater, hat or jacket. (I love pins on denim jackets!) From Etsy seller ModMaggieMalone, who ships to the US and Canada. Price, $CAN 123. Postage depends on location; from her store in Brandon MB to me is $18.

Pearl sprig

Brooch of grey and white pearls on a silver branch with gold details, by Vivienne Jones, the superb Canadian-Welsh jeweller and sculptor. Price, $CAN 200 at L.A. Pai Gallery, Ottawa ON.

Hello, wrists

Because now they show! When a bracelet pulls off eye-catching and discreet at once, it's special. This is a gorgeous mix of pastel 9-9.5mm freshwaters finished with a rhodium-plated clasp so it won't tarnish. From Kojima; price, $US 291.

Photo: Kojima Pearl Company

Smokin' token

The pearl token necklace: a sterling silver-capped pearl on a silk cord, ideal if you are looking for a sleek and modern pendant. Designed and made in Vancouver BC by Kara Yoo; price, $CAN 135 at Blue Ruby. 

Photo: Blue Ruby

Everywhere earrings

With the price of precious metals zooming up, recycled metal is a smart strategy. These recycled silver 17.5mm Trio Pearl hoops easily dance from everyday to evening. Price, £175 from the London jeweller Otiumberg. Three different-sized pearls: a small hoop with something to say!

Photo: Otiumberg.

Let's see the ear shot!

Did you catch on that there's no gold here, and that freshwater pearls are much less costly than a big chunk of costly metal?  I keep an eye on value, and am happy that though some pearl varieties have climbed too (South Seas, especially), great pieces are still in reach for less than a typical "designer"  fake pearl item.

Spring-cleaning pearls

If you've skipped wiping pearls every time you wear them, now is time to lavish a little love. Give each pearl in a piece a gentle wipe with a damp, soft cloth, rotating to get the entire surface; use plain warm water or add a few drops of Castile soap or baby shampoo. 

If wiping doesn't restore lustre or the thread is discoloured, take your pearls to a jeweller for deep cleaning and, because the necklace must be disassembled, restringing. (Restringing isn't required annually; it depends on how often you wear them, and what they pick up.) The jeweller can clean into the drill holes that lodge dirt and debris.

Dirt isn't the only reason for a pearl to look dull; if they are scratched, or if the nacre layer was thin to begin with and has eroded, the thrill is gone. 

For metal elements, such as clasps and wire on wrapped necklaces, use a jeweller's cloth (aka "sunshine "cloth) to remove tarnish and oil. For French wire—the tiny micro-spring attachments that connects the clasp to the pearl— you can clean the wire but it will be improved but not shiny-new. I use a q-tip dabbed with a tiny bit of silver cream polish (like Wright's Silver Cream) and work gently, taking care not to coat the pearls with the cream. I find this gets into the coils better than the polishing cloth.

Most of the time though, when the French wire looks forlorn, it's time to restring.

There, all ready to go out!