Bling of the Month: Pearls

In many countries around the world, pearls have been incorporated to the mythology of almost every culture that has encountered them.  What makes them so fascinating?, you might ask.  Well they come from the sea for starters, which is always a source of wonder.

The mythology of pears goes way back to the origins of history.  In Hindu culture pearls represent the moon and were symbols of love and virginity.  It's said Krishna discovered the first pearl and gave it to his daughter on her wedding day. Islamic tradition holds pearls in even higher esteem.  In the Koran, pearls are considered one of the greatest rewards to be received in Paradise, and in Christianity, pearls are considered a symbol of purity. 

Gorgeous South Sea pearls dangle beautifully from morganite, kunzite and rose cut diamonds. Earrings are handmade in 18k white gold.

People have been making jewels from pearls for centuries. They are after all, the oldest known gem. I keep the on the top of my list because due to their beauty and value, they have been able to transcend the test of time.  In the 1900's pearls were so rare and valuable, that famed jeweler (and idol of mine) Jacques Cartier purchased the property for his store on Fifth Avenue by exchanging the property for two pearl necklaces.

A perfect piece: Two strands of flawless South Sea pearls bound together by beautifully polished rock crystal and diamonds.

Pearls, with their warm inner glow, have always been considered an ideal wedding gift. Sometimes, they are even used as a solitaire in an engagement ring. These lovely, lustrous gems don't only come in virginal white.  Depending of where they were "made" pearls come in different colors, ready to satisfy all of my customers desires. 


Akoya pearls, the classic cultured pearls from Japan, are considered the most lustrous of all.  They come in lovely colors such as rose, silver/white, cream, gold, and blue/gray, and are generally found in round, semi-round, baroque, and drop shapes. When it comes to size, Akoyas range between 2 and 10 millimeters, with the average pearl being 7 millimeters round. 

All three of these pieces are from my Wanderlust collection.

Each pearl has been individually hand selected  according to the design.

They are all finished in sparkly diamonds, and, of course, 18kt white gold.

The next type of pearl, South Sea, are the rarest and most expensive of all cultured pearls. Because they look exactly like natural pearls (you can only tell the difference by X-ray), South Sea pearls are not enhanced in any way, and are only polished to bring out their natural glow.  Their most common color is white, but they are also found in silver/white, pink and gold.  As far as shape, they are available in the same shapes as the Akoya, with the addition of button, ringed, semi-baroque and oval shapes. Their size ranges from 8 to 22 millimeters, with the average being 15.

Fabulous statement necklace in South Sea pearls, aquamarine, morganite and white diamonds. To die for!

Classic, reinvented: South Sea pearls (in gold and white) are surrounded by yellow and white gold ribbons, making this pendant a must-have for all jewelry lovers. The pearl rosary style necklace is the perfect finishing touch.

White and yellow gold complements the amazing luster of these amazing Tahitian pearl earrings. The diamonds finish the look.

This stunning set can be worn alone or together. Tahitian pearls and Akoya pearls complement each other under black gold and pink sapphires.

When purchasing pearls, I suggest you keep in mind that rose and silver/white pearls look great on fair skin, while gold and cream colored pearls look best on olive skin and darker complexions. Also remember that even though the size of a pearl does not determine its quality, it does matter when it comes to price. Because its very hard to grow a larger pearl, usually the bigger the pearl, the higher the price it will fetch. 


I love working with pearls and have used them since I began designing jewelry. Due to their amazing characteristics and popularity with my clientele, they are always present in my collections.  A pearl can be a symbol of love or a good investment. To me, they are a spectacle of nature and a world or inspiration.  'Till next time.


Love Always
Dani K