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A Passion for Pearls The Queen of Gems is always a winner
Photo by Gabb Tapic from Pexels
WORDS BY AMAHLI JALI
Daywear or eveningwear, indoors or outdoors, business or pleasure, pearls are unfailingly appropriate – and, while not ostentatious, their demure beauty is sure to turn heads. They’re always in style, always chic and always guaranteed to take a woman’s looks up a notch or three, no matter what she’s wearing.
Known as the “Queen of Gems”, pearls have one of the most fascinating histories of all precious jewellery items. From the Dark Ages, when they were believed to have magical power of protection, to the Renaissance, when laws were put in place to prohibit common people from wearing them, pearls have gone through a great deal. Yet their captivating beauty and desirability remain the same.
▶ Crop circle ring with Tahitian pearl and carrécut peridot in 18ct gold, Alina Abegg.
A PASSION
One of pearls’ most iconic and globally recognised fans in recent times was Diana, Princess of Wales. She owned an extensive collection of stunning pearl necklaces, chokers, brooches and earrings. For her, there was no such thing as too many pearls – and we agree. Two of the most famous stars of the mid-20th century who frequently wore short strands of pearls were Marilyn Monroe (Mikimoto pearls, given to her by husband Joe DiMaggio) and Audrey Hepburn, who famously wore an iconic pearl necklace in the There’s no such thing classic movie Breakfast at Tiffany's. Prince Rainier of Monaco gave his as too many pearls! bride-to-be, film star Grace Kelly, a
wedding present of a triplestrand pearl necklace with a diamond swirl motif, a triplestrand pearl bracelet with a diamond blossom motif, pearl earrings accented with a baguette- and marquiseshaped diamond swirl and a diamond blossom ring with a pearl centre – a trousseau fit for a princess, indeed. Coco Chanel, too, was rarely seen without ropes of pearls dangling from her neck – and blithely admitted that many of them were fake. In fact, she was one of the first women to popularise faux pearls and costume jewellery.
The most famous pearl in history is Le Peregrina. It was worn by generations of European royalty, including Mary I of England, and immortalised in portraits by some of the most famous painters in the history of art.
N FOR PEARLS
Image by PINKIGIRN from Pixabay
The Queen of Gems is always a winner
▼ Shima cuff bracelet in 18ct yellow gold with freshwater pearls and diamonds by Judith Ripka.
C ou r t e s y Mikimoto
Richard Burton bought the gem for Elizabeth Taylor in 1969 and it was sold at Sotheby’s in 2011 for over $11 million.
But you don’t need a queen’s ransom to buy exquisite pearls in South Africa. There are retail jewellers nationwide whose pearl designs range from single-strand to multi-layered strings, as well as chokerstyled offerings. There are also bracelet choices and earring options, including drop and chandelier designs, all in both modern and traditional styles, and many of these creations are augmented by beautiful coloured gemstones – so with Christmas around the corner, start hinting now! Or, better still, gift yourself an item – there’s nothing stopping you from having something specially custom-designed. No matter what the occasion, pearls are always winners!
▼ One-of-a-kind reclaimed pearl earrings with diamonds in 18ct white gold with black rhodium finish, Kimberly McDonald.
