All About Pearls

Pearls, the birthstone for June, are one of the most timeless and treasured gems- something that will be in style for years and years to come. They can add a classic feel to any look or can update an outfit with more contemporary pieces.

Miriam Haskell Two Row Cluster Pearl Silver Necklace

Pearls are interesting because they have so many colors, shapes, and origins. Round is the most prized shape in the industry, but both saltwater and freshwater pearls are produced in a variety of shapes. They can be:
• Round
• Off-Round
• Oval
• Teardrop

Semi-baroque and baroque pearls are considered off-round, and they can be very asymmetrical in shape. Our Miriam Haskell Two Row Cluster Pearl Silver Necklace features round pearls, contributing to its elegance and worth.

Thomas Sabo Sterling Pendant with Mother of Pearl

Pearls are unique because they are the only gem that comes from a living creature. Pearls start out as a grain of sand or a microscopic worm that finds its way into an oyster. As a result, the oyster produces a smooth and hard substance called nacre to protect its soft body from this irritant. Many layers of nacre coat the foreign object and eventually harden, forming the pearl. Generally, the thicker the nacre is, the richer the “glow” of the pearl. This can greatly increase its value. Our Thomas Sabo Sterling Pendant with Mother of Pearl certainly has a strong glow to it.

Miriam Haskell Cluster Pearl Gold Earrings

Throughout the ages, these luminous pieces have symbolized wisdom, wealth, purity, romance, and mystery. Emperors, Kings, and Queens have all sought to possess them, and ancient Egyptians were buried with them. In Rome, they were considered the ultimate symbol of wealth and status, and the Greeks prized them for their beauty and association with love and marriage. Part of the reason for their value is their unblemished perfection-even though they are made through a natural process! No wonder they’ve withstood the test of time! Today, pearls are even used in more contemporary pieces to create more trendy jewelry, such as in our Miriam Haskell Cluster Pearl Gold Earrings.


For more beautiful jewelry pieces with pearl and other edgy designer jewelry, be sure to check out our NorthPark Jewelry store!