Pearls can come with certain associations. Perfectly matched strands, special occasions, jewellery kept for best.
But that’s only one way to wear them.
I’m particularly drawn to freshwater pearls for their irregularity. No two are quite the same, and it’s often those small differences in shape, surface and lustre that make them interesting.
What are freshwater pearls?
Freshwater pearls are cultivated in freshwater mussels, most commonly in lakes and rivers.
Unlike something manufactured to a precise specification, each pearl develops a little differently. Some are round, others oval or irregular, with subtle variations in their surface and lustre.
For me, those differences are part of their appeal rather than something to disguise.
Why we use them
There’s an interesting contrast between the organic quality of a pearl and the stronger, more considered forms I tend to use in my jewellery.
Pearls bring softness, texture and warmth to a piece. And because each one is already distinctive, they don’t need much added to them.
The Jayne Pearl Pendant is a lovely example. It features five freshwater pearls, one for each of the five children of the woman who inspired the piece.
It’s a design where the material and the meaning sit naturally together.
Wearing freshwater pearls
Despite their association with special occasions, I like pearls worn much more casually.
With a T-shirt. Mixed with silver. Stacked alongside other rings. Worn on an entirely ordinary day.
Pearls do need a little consideration when it comes to care. They are softer than precious metals, so it’s best to avoid direct contact with perfume, lotions and hairspray, and to store them away from harder jewellery that may scratch their surface.
But they are still there to be worn.
Our Pearl Stack Ring and Petite Pearl Stack Ring, for example, were designed to sit alongside other rings rather than wait in a jewellery box for an occasion.
If you’re new to pearls
You don’t need to start with a traditional strand.
A pair of Pearl Stud Earrings or a single pearl stack ring is an easy way to introduce them into jewellery you already wear.
Or, if you like a little more presence, the Georgie Multi Pearl Necklace brings several freshwater pearls together in a more sculptural design.
You can explore the full Pearl Jewellery collection to find the version that feels most like you.