Pearl Attitude

What’s new about the pearl trend? Attitude.

Classic to baroque, what’s new about the pearl trend is the attitude and how you pair it, declares Harper’s Bazaar, reporting from the Spring 2020 runways.

Ranking in its top five jewelry trends, pearls made appearances in just about every form — from single drop earrings at the Jason Wu show to layered necklaces and baroque drop earrings, even pearl headpieces at Khaite, the magazine reported. Vogue also hails pearls, beads and orbs everywhere, oh my!

Pearls have been on a fashion high for quite some time now, a favorite detail on apparel and accessories, and a signature element of style on its own or layered in with other jewelry favorites.

It’s not your grandmother’s pearls anymore and it very well may be your boyfriend’s, as Teen Vogue reported in February that British pop star and heartthrob, Harry Styles has been spotted since the 2019 Met Gala sporting a strand of pearls.

Boasting chameleon-like qualities, pearls are able to complement everything paired with them. Pearls radiate warmth from within. It’s not about the bling, but the luster, the glow of reflected light. Pearls today, in all their variety of shapes, sizes and colors, have become the gem for a new generation.

Everyday Styling
Jewelry that can move through our busy lives is what women want, hails Dana Cali, marketing and communications for the New York based pearl house, Mastoloni. “Women want pieces that are versatile enough to wear morning, noon and night, and for any occasion, whether it be work, black-tie or Sunday brunch.”

She underscores that women are buying pearl jewelry for themselves, embracing both classic and modern styles that feature unique pearl shapes and colors, minimal diamond accents, and have a greater design focus. She says yellow and rose gold styles have dominated.

With hoops all the rage on the runways for 2020 — worn in pairs or singly, in all shapes and sizes — it’s no surprise that hoop, circle and drop earrings cradling and trimmed in pearls are so popular today. Cali also cites open pearl rings and cuff and bangle bracelets popular for stacking.

Delicate necklaces that can be worn alone or layered remain a significant trend, says Wendy Fox, senior director of sales, Independent Division for Honora. The Richline brand’s latest Daystar collection is a great example of the look in airy gold chain strands, “Y” and lariat styles set with small freshwater pearls.

Karen Crowe, marketing and merchandising for Quality Gold, Fairfield, Ohio, cites its 14K-gold 17-inch cable chain necklace 10-11mm white round freshwater cultured pearl its top seller because of its simple elegance. Another everyday style winner are freshwater pearl stretch bracelets, also great for layering.

Kathy Grenier, vice president, business development for Imperial in Providence, Rhode Island also cites natural pink freshwater pearls set with morganite in rose gold jewelry a top seller, since it debuted a year ago. She says 2019 was a big year for gold and pearls at the brand.

Silver & Pearls
But with gold prices high, Imperial expects new silver and pearl designs added to its extensive collection, with strength in Tahitian cultured pearls, will be a winner. Grenier hails silver a great metal to explore fashion designs, providing big bang for the buck, more design impact and greater accessibility to the category.

“With silver we get to play with things like baroque shapes and interesting chain patterns,” says Grenier. It offers a higher end look in jewelry that pays attention to details, like luxury findings and finishes, and beautiful galleries. “Especially now that gold prices are high, this line offers customers a way to immerse into the pearl category affordably. And, the high polish silver with the dark pearls looks beautiful.” Imperial is using the shape of the keshi (aka petal) pearl cast in silver as a unique signature design component in the jewelry.

Focused on fashion, several of Honora’s 2020 collections pair silver with pearls. Inspirations range from estate jewelry, with updated classic doublets in organic shapes, pearls, and new elements like pave to Bali artisan style that combines traditional Balinese jewelry influence with details like pearls and pallini beading to pearls with unique authentic and replica coins. Moreover, Honora is leaning in on the maximalist trend in earrings with silver and pearls in big hoops and circles, long sticks and link drops with freshwater pearls.

“The natural beauty of luminous pearls takes on multifarious forms in jewelry, from classic layered necklaces, bold baroque drop earrings to unique inlay designs,” tells Cynthia Speight, marketing manager for IBGoodman Company in Newport, Kentucky. Last year the company came out with a new collection for women, Zé Inlay, featuring iridescent blue-green abalone pearl, opalescent pink and white mother-of-pearl inlay in silver designs inspired by wildlife, flowers and spiritual icons.

With the variety of pearl types that exist, the world is your oyster in fashion style.