The Perfect Pearl » Pearl Necklaces

The Versatile Fashionista

Jess — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:00:54 +0000

While things in the economy seem to be getting a bit better, most consumers out there are still pinching their pennies. A big trend in jewelry this year is versatile pieces that you can wear during the day and into the night. Silver and pearl jewelry is the perfect choice for versatility. If you go for silver, choose pieces that have the same color gemstones and you will be able to mix and match them with just about any outfit. Pearls are one of the most flexible jewelry choices you can buy. They come in so many colors and styles and they look great with jeans, a blazer or an evening gown. Here are some fun and fashionable choices that can add some affordable versatility to your jewelry collection:

Black Pearls

Find a simple set of pearls like these black ones and you will be wearing them all the time. Pearls like this look great with jeans but will also pair fabulously with a flirty cocktail dress for a night on the town!

Silver Set

Shop around for a set of silver jewelry like this set here. Find a set you love that is simple and sleek. Pieces with clear crystals or diamonds will look great with t-shirts, blazers or a fun top for date night.

Tri-Layer Necklace

This silver necklace is a great choice for versatility. It can be worn with just about any outfit. Go for a bold look and wear all three together or opt for the simpler look and just wear one.

Multi-color Pearl Necklace

I love this pearl necklace I found while browsing the web. It has beautiful white, rose and black pearls strung in an intricate design. This necklace, while it might look fancy can be matched with quite a lot.

Layers, Layers and More Layers!

Jess — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:47:10 +0000

Anyone who follows the fashion world at all knows that layered accessories are very popular this year. Whether you layer on a bunch of necklaces or bracelets, you can’t go wrong. It’s a fun trend too, allowing you to pull out 5 or 6 necklaces from your collection, wear them together and be on the edge of fashion! It’s a simple trend too, there really isn’t much you can do to mess up this fashion must-do. Just don’t go overboard- there is such thing as too many – you don’t want to have a hard time holding your head up because your necklaces are too heavy! Fashion and its accessories have a sort of split personality this year. On one end, they are super feminine and soft while the urban, edgy style of the 80′s is making a new impression. Mixing unexpected elements together like metal chains and soft pearls can give you a fantastic look for any time of day. Check out some of these examples I found on the web:

Sarah Jessica Parker

One of my favorite fashion inspirations – Sarah Jessica Parker – went bold on this necklace ensemble. She paired some simple chains in golds and silvers, all different sizes and lengths with a couple chunkier pieces up by her neck. Paired with her simple shimmery outfit, her layered necklaces are the perfect accessory! So, if she can be any example for those of you out there wanting to try out this look – go bold!

Hillary Duff

In this photo, Hillary Duff shows the perfect union of edgy and feminine. She has on an urban, shimmery black mini dress but layered on a bunch of beautiful strands of white pearls in all different sizes and lengths. This adds a classy and feminine touch to a rock star outfit. The lesson here is – don’t be afraid to mix styles, you might be pleased with the result!

Layered Pearls

This is a great example of a necklace you might be able to find in stores or online. This has some beautiful black pearls paired with black beads and a crystal flower detail. This necklace would look great paired with some long metal chains worn with a collared shirt to the office or a simple dress for a night on the town.

State of the Union Fashion

Jess — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:43:23 +0000

Like millions of Americans around the country, I tuned in to watch the President deliver the State of the Union address. Before the President enters the room, the cameras

Michelle Obama

pan across the attendees. One thing I immediately noticed were how many of the women in the room adorned their necks with strands of pearls. Undoubtedly, Michelle Obama has had a major influence as her single strand of white pearls has become a type of trademark for her fashion. In signature style, Michelle Obama was wearing a budget-friendly dress designed by Issac Mizrahi and she had on her single strand of white pearls.

Nancy Pelosi

This is such a simple style statement but makes such an impact whenever she puts them on. There is no doubt that other women in the political arena have been influenced by Michelle’s simple, sophisticated style. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi even made her mark on the fashion world with her sleek lavender suit that she paired with a gorgeous multi-colored strand of pearls. Pelosi’s necklace was comprised of large, possibly Tahitian or South Sea pearls, in ivory, white and gray. She matched her necklace with a beautiful pair of pearl stud earrings. It made for the perfect leadership outfit.

Egyptian Fever

Jess — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:00:03 +0000

Vintage, tribal and geometric influences are everywhere in fashion this season. Designers, celebrities and fashion enthusiasts everywhere are snatching up Egyptian inspired accessories. Egyptian elements are inspired by nature and make bold statements. Golds, bronzes and coppers are popular this season and it is easy to find Egyptian inspired accessories made of these metals. Eagles, snakes and geometric shapes are popular elements along with beautiful green and yellow gemstones. Egyptian culture has always stirred a sense of mystery and wonder and these new accessories have the same effect.

Eagle Cuff

Large cuff bracelets are all the rage and this bracelet is the perfect way to capture Egyptian inspiration into your wardrobe. This cuff is made of beautiful gold and embellished with a gorgeous green gemstone and the eagle is shown off with beautiful white diamonds.

Beaded Necklace

If you want to feel the mystery and seductive nature of Egyptian culture, try a necklace like this one. Long draping strands accented with beautiful green and yellow gemstones are perfectly reminiscent of that ancient time. You can feel like Egyptian royalty when you wear a necklace like this!

Gold Bangles

Since layered bracelets are huge this year, why not blend two trends into one? Pile on a bunch of gold bangles like these ones for the perfect everyday look. Find a soft gold embellished with minimal stones in greens or yellows. Bangles like these pair perfectly with just about any outfit since they are so neutral.

Chocolate Indulgence

Jess — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:00:41 +0000

Everything for the new fashion season is warm and inspired by nature. That’s one of the reasons that chocolate pearls are so hot right now. These rich, brown and copper colored pearls were once considered low quality, never to be sold in stores. With the bad economy and changes in fashion trends, that has all changed. Marketing geniuses have turned this bottom-of-the-barrel pearl into fashion gold.

These chocolate pearls are gorgeous and are sure to catch people’s attention wherever you happen to wear them. Here are some great pieces I came across that you should check out!

Brooch

A piece of pearl jewelry like this is a very unexpected place for a gorgeous chocolate pearl. This simple and elegant design would be the perfect addition to a blazer for a day at the office or an elegant touch on an evening gown.

Earrings

These are a great pair of earrings that are perfect for everyday wear. They are simple enough to pair with any outfit but still exciting! You can see how beautiful the chocolate pearls are with yellow gold. Luxurious!

Sarah Jessica Parker

We can always look to Sarah Jessica Parker for fashion inspiration on and off the red carpet. Here she is wearing a gorgeous double strand of chocolate pearls. You can see how easy it is to wear these pearls casual. Chocolate pearls are really versatile and a great addition to any jewelry collection!

Luxury in a Bad Economy

Jess — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:00:35 +0000

With the economy still on the downturn, getting frugal with fashion has been the name of the game. The prices of gold and silver have skyrocketed and it can be hard for the everyday consumer to afford a nice new piece of jewelry. Where can you turn in such hard times? Pick up some pearls!

Pearls are the affordable luxury of these tough economic times. They are beautiful and remain to be priced right. Not only are they affordable but they are on the hot list for the new fashion season. Celebrities everywhere can be seen embracing this trend with some really beautiful pieces. Check out these celeb shots and take some fashion hints from them!

Hillary Clinton

Since Hillary Clinton has been in the spotlight more lately as the Secretary of State, her fashion sense has improved immensely! This is a classic, yet trendy look. She piled on layers of classic white pearls and paired them with a simple blazer. This is the perfect look to emulate for the office.

Kate Walsh

This look from Kate Walsh is another great option for the office. She paired a simple, long strand of white pearls and doubled it over around her neck. A necklace like this will look great with any collared shirt or v-neck sweater.

Marilu Henner

For a look that’s bold yet sophisticated, try something like Marilu Henner. She donned an intricately detailed pearl choker necklace with a pair of pearl chandelier earrings. Big earrings are very hot this season so be sure to pick up a pair or two!

Top Ten Jewelry Trends for 2010 – 1 through 5

Jess — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:00:49 +0000

The new year is almost upon us and with it comes a new fashion season. There are some jewelry trends to keep your eye out for in 2010. Here is number 1 through 5 along with some ways to wear them:

1. Large cuff bracelets - These are a great accessory for just about any outfit. Ones like the picture are popular for 2010. Any type of hammered metal like gold or bronze is a must have. You can also find cuff bracelets with gemstones or in fun shapes like leaves or snakes.

2. Chocolate Pearls – These rich, warm brown pearls are a hot trend for 2010. What woman wouldn’t want pearls and chocolate rolled into one fantastic accessory? Pieces of pearl jewelry like this necklace below is a great addition to any wardrobe. The necklace shown below is strands of chocolate pearls woven with traditional white pearls. Chocolate pearls are easy to dress up with a gown, down with a pair of jeans or to with a blazer to the office.

3. Metallic Jewelry – Since the price of precious metals like gold and platinum have skyrocketed, jewelry designers are turning to other metals like bronze, brass and copper. These metals have a very warm tone to them and can add a lot of texture to jewelry. A popular trend is charm necklaces, like the one shown below. They have fun shapes and baubles that dangle from a long chain.

4. Chocolate Diamonds – Much like the chocolate pearls, another popular trend for 2010 is chocolate diamonds. These are diamonds with a rich, brown color that look fabulous when paired with white diamonds and yellow gold. It is a fun and different twist on traditional diamonds that can add a little bit of luxury and flair to your jewelry box.

5. Nature-inspired Accessories – With everything being focused on the environment these days, this attention is also being recognized in the jewelry world. Accessories like snake rings and cuffs, leaf designs, green, yellow and brown gemstones and natural stones can be found everywhere you look this season. Check out this cool snake ring that can add some attitude to your everyday look!

Classic Pearls

Jess — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:00:36 +0000

Pearls have been around for longer than pretty much any other gemstone. Not only have they been highly regarded in ancient societies but they are a big part of classic Hollywood as well. Celebrities today still don pearls on the red carpets and in everyday wear. There are some celebrities of past however that are just synonymous with pearls. They single handedly created an image that lives on in today’s pop culture.

Audrey Hepburn

One of these well-known celebrities is Audrey Hepburn. Her classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s pose in her black dress and pearls is the definition of Hollywood beauty. She was a huge movie star but still had that girl next door charm. Audrey Hepburn in her pearl jewelry made one of the biggest statements in old Hollywood. Women everywhere looked up to her as a fashion inspiration. Audrey Hepburn helped to keep the classic pearl look at the height of fashion and beauty.

Jackie O

When it comes to classic beauty, no one can top Jackie Kennedy. She was the woman and mother everyone adored and wanted to be. She may have been the First Lady but she represented every woman and mother in the United States. She was classic, sophisticated yet humble and down to earth. This photo of her with John Kennedy Jr. epitomizes Jackie O’s life. It showed that you can still be a mother and First Lady and still manage to be stylish! Jackie could always be seen around town in her big sunglasses and white pearls.

Marilyn Monroe

When you mention old Hollywood style and classic beauty, how can you not mention Marilyn Monroe? She was the woman every man wanted and every woman wanted to be. She was the definition of sexuality and beauty with a sleek and sophisticated look. This is a classic photo of Marilyn wearing a fur stole and pearls. While it may not be the 40′s anymore, a classic white pearl necklace like Marilyn’s is still as chic as ever!

Splurge for the Holidays

Jess — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:00:24 +0000

The holidays are a time to show the special people in your life how much you love them. One of the best ways to show that is giving them a gift that makes them feel how extra special they are. Everyone has been saving every penny all year but the holidays are the perfect time to splurge. What woman wouldn’t feel special with a little wrapped box with a stunning piece of timeless jewelry inside? If you choose right, the jewelry you splurge on this holiday season will be worn for many years to come. Here are some great ideas for your holiday jewelry splurges this year:

Baroque Tahtian pearl bracelet

Tahitian pearls are no doubt the most sleek, sophisticated and striking pearls available for all types of pearl jewelry. These stunning black pearls make the perfect holiday gift. The beautiful baroque shaped pearls in the deep black color would make the perfect addition to almost any outfit.

Golden South Sea Pearl

If that special person in your life loves simple, chic yet beautiful jewelry – surprise them with a stunning golden South Sea pearl. This is a rare and exquisite pearl perfect to wear every day. When you choose something simple like this necklace, you get an accessory that is sleek and chic yet bold enough to grab everyone’s attention.

Pearl Ring

One accessory that often gets forgotten about when it comes to gift giving is the ring. It’s the first thing that comes to mind for an engagement or anniversary but never on any other occasion. This is one accessory though that can make a huge statement on an outfit. Splurge on a beauty like the one shown here for a sure fire hit. This one is a white Akoya pearl set in the center accented with sparkling diamonds in a white gold setting. You can’t go wrong!

Pearl Stud Earrings

If you are thinking about the classic pearl stud earrings for a holiday gift this year, why not spice it up a bit? Pick out a pair of stud earrings with lustrous, dazzling white Akoya pearls accented with a diamond stone. They are still simple enough to wear every day but have that little something extra that makes them just a bit more exciting!

Accessorize for the Holidays

Jess — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:00:17 +0000

While the holiday season means food, family, friends and parties – it also means a lot of different outfits! There are so many different events to attend this time of year it can be overwhelming trying to find a different outfit for each of them. It is especially important during tough economic times to be smart in the pieces you buy for the holiday season. It’s smart to buy pieces that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. The same idea applies to any accessories you buy to spice up these outfits. Here are some ideas to make your holiday accessories go a bit farther.

When you go out shopping for holiday accessories, try to find something that you can wear with every outfit you will wear during the season. A great flexible option is pearls. There are two different types of pearls you can pair with just about anything – white Akoya pearls and black Tahitian pearls. They are both neutral enough to wear with just about any color or style.

White Pearl Necklace

Find a simple white Akoya pearl necklace like the one to the left for an accessory you can wear with anything. The beautiful white color will complement any color you don this holiday season. You can opt for the double strand look, or the more traditional single strand. Another option is to find a strand that is extra long so you can either wear it long or double it around your neck for an instant change. Purchasing a necklace like this allows you to get a lot of mileage out of it. It will always look like a different necklace when you wear it with different outfits.

Black Tahitian Pearl

Another great option for flexible holiday wear is the black Tahitian pearl. Like white, the black color will pair well with almost any color and outfit. The black Tahitian pearls definitely gives you a more bold, sophisticated look. They are perfect for the holiday season and you can easily transition them between a red party dress and black pants with a white blouse for the office party. You can choose a long strand option like the white akoya pearls and then wear the pearls two different ways. Not only will these pearls be a great flex option for all of your holiday outfits but you can wear them year round.

Black and White

If you can’t decide between black pearls and white pearls, why not go for an accessory that has both!? This one shown to the left is a great example of how you can mix beautiful white Akoya pearls with sleek black Tahitian pearls. This is a fun and funky accessory but can compliment just about any outfit too. The black and white colors remain neutral enough to pair with red, purple, burgandy, green….just about anything. Mixing the black and white pearls together in the same necklace give the piece a lot of interest and you can be sure everyone will be asking about your great jewelry!