My Love Affair With Pearls

On March 18, 2023, my article, The Power of Pearls was published. In that article, I wrote about the history of pearls, the many benefits of wearing them, the different varieties of cultured pearls, the different lengths of pearls and how you can wear them. Pearls are the birthstones for the month of June and it symbolises purity, femininity, and wisdom. Moreover, when a woman wears pearls, she is representing beauty, elegance, sophistication, and power. Because it is the month of June, I decided to write again about my favourite jewellery and why I’m so in love with it! Correction, obsessed over it!

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.

THE MEMORABLE WOMEN WHO WORE PEARLS 

The famous Jackie O signature three-strand pearls. Photo courtesy of the author.

For fun facts, did you know that former First Lady Jackie Kennedy who was famous for her “Jackie O” pearls — a three-stranded pearl necklace — weren’t made from real pearls but was actually made of faux pearls or plastic beads which she bought at Bergdorf Goodman for only $35! However, such is Jackie Kennedy’s powerful personal brand that when her signature faux pearls were auctioned off in 1996 at Sotheby’s, they were sold for a fetching $212,000. The former First Lady once said: “Pearls are always appropriate.” I wholeheartedly concur! 

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and her beloved triple-strand pearls. Photo courtesy of the author.

Jackie Kennedy is not the only powerful woman known for her love of pearls — the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was also famous for wearing her beloved three-stranded pearl necklaces which she had passed on to her beautiful great granddaughter-in-law, the new Princess of Wales, Catherine Middleton. In fact, Queen Elizabeth II loved her three-stranded pearls so much that she had a replica made! In fact, she owns three nearly identical three-strand pearls: the first one was a precious gift to her by her father, King George VI; the second, she had it made to replicate her father’s gift; and the third three-stranded pearl necklace was a gift from the Emir of Qatar in 1953. 

The new Princess of Wales, Catherine Middleton and her four-strand pearls inherited from the Queen. Photo courtesy of the author.

The late Princess Diana was also a well-known pearl lover. Even at a young age of 20 and before she married Prince Charles, pearls have already been a staple of her fashion style. Her most famous pearl jewellery was of course the historic Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara which was her favourite amongst her tiaras. Her penchant for multiple strands of pearl chokers and pearl pendant earrings were all well documented and photographed by the paparazzi. 

Princess Diana with her legendary Cambridge Lover’s Knot tiara. Photo courtesy of the author.

Another famous beauty well-known for wearing pearls was Audrey Hepburn. Perhaps her most famous pearls were the one she wore on the opening scene of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Throughout the years, Hepburn was often seen wearing pearls in her everyday life and in her films. In fact, her double strand pearl, sapphire and diamond choker created by Fürst Jeweller for her 1953 movie, Roman Holiday with Gregory Peck went for auction at Christie’s in November 2023. Audrey Hepburn wore her pearls with understated outfits, often pairing them with little black dresses and black turtleneck sweaters. My kind of fashion style! 

Audrey Hepburn’s most famous pearl necklace from Breakfast at Tiffany’s movie. Photo courtesy of the author.

Elizabeth Taylor owned the historical La Peregrina pearl necklace, a romantic Valentine’s Day gift from her then husband, Richard Burton. This famous pear-shaped pearl is steeped both in history and folklore. It is believed to be one of the most symmetrical natural pearls ever found off the coast of Panama in the mid 16th century. It has graced the regal necks of notable queens such as Queen Mary I of England, Queen Margaret, wife of Philip, the III, and Duchess Louisa Hamilton, and then of course, Liz Taylor, the Queen of Hollywood cinema. There’s this famous story on how Elizabeth Taylor recounted when she nearly lost La Peregrina in their suite at Caesar’s Palace: “At one point I reached down to touch La Peregrina and it wasn’t there! I glanced over at Richard and thank God he wasn’t looking at me, and I went into the bedroom and threw myself on the bed, buried my head into the pillow and screamed. Very slowly and very carefully, I retraced all my steps in the bedroom. I took my slippers off, took my socks off, and got down on my hands and knees, looking everywhere for the pearl. Nothing. I thought, ‘It’s got to be in the living room in front of Richard. What am I going to do? He’ll kill me!’ Because he loved the piece.” Then Taylor noticed one of their puppies was chewing on something. She continues, “I just casually opened the puppy’s mouth and inside his mouth was the most perfect pearl in the world. It was—thank God—not scratched.” La Peregrina was auctioned off at Christie’s to an anonymous buyer for a cool $11 million dollars! 

Elizabeth Taylor’s La Peregrina necklace. Photo courtesy of the author.

We can’t talk about women and pearls without mentioning the legendary Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel! She is famous for wearing ropes and ropes of pearls and is known for her love of the opulent layering of pearl ropes. Coco Chanel’s two lovers, the Duke of Westminster and the Grand Duke Dimitri Pavlovich often gifted her with the nacreous gems. Her ropes of pearls were the inspiration for her equally famous Chanel Faux Pearls jewellery collection which she designed herself together with Robert Goosens. I couldn’t agree more when Coco Chanel once quoted, “a woman needs ropes and ropes of pearls!”

Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel and her ropes and ropes of pearls. Photo courtesy of the author.

MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH PEARLS 

My love affair with pearls began when I fell head over heels in love with a thoughtful  present given by my other half  — a one-strand 12.0mm white Akoya saltwater pearl necklace from Tiffany & Co.’s Signature pearl collection — which came with an aquamarine gemstone engagement ring. Because of this truly special pearl necklace, I’m slowly building my pearl jewellery collection, buying a few pieces at a time from various reputable pearl dealers. 

I decided to start collecting pearls because I wanted to leave something special and valuable to my future granddaughters. In this way, they’ll be keeping me close to their hearts and ears even when I’m long gone! I don’t have the powerful brand of a Jackie Kennedy hence I only wear real pearls. I don’t wear fake pearls, only real pearls! I’m a water baby and born under the sign of Cancer hence it’s important for me to be able to connect with pearls. Which is why I refuse to wear fake pearls! Pearls are timeless and elegant and one of the most classic pieces you can wear at all times. Therefore, I don’t hesitate to invest in them. I buy my pearls mostly online: Pearls Only, House of Pearls, The Pearl Source, or from Japan and of course, the Philippines. Whenever a girlfriend travels to these countries, I always request a favour to purchase a pearl jewellery or two on my behalf. 

Photo courtesy of the author.

I wear pearls not only for their elegant appearance but also because they are scientifically proven to be beneficial for one’s health. A study conducted by the International Journal of Science and Research found that wearing pearl jewellery can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels in individuals. It is also associated with helping you improve your sleep quality. Pearls are rich in a variety of  amino acids which can promote the growth of collagen cells in the human body. 

And just like Audrey Hepburn, I pair my pearls with little black dresses and black turtleneck sweaters. Somehow for me, the perfect combination of the colour black clothing paired with the whiteness of a pearl jewellery exudes the quintessential sophistication and serene simplicity. It is what I would call an understated minimalist look. 

Here are a few of my collections that I have acquired so far! 

MY PEARL NECKLACE AND EARRINGS COLLECTION 

Photo courtesy of the author.

Tiffany and Co. 12mm one strand Akoya white pearls AAAAA quality necklace in 17 inch length — an engagement gift by my romantic other half. He bought it for me in 2022 at the Vancouver main store in Alberni St. It’s a classic one strand. Nowadays, one can purchase the same necklace but with a smaller size of pearls, 8mm from Tiffany & Co. Essential Pearls collection. I love this classic one strand pearl and I usually wear it either on its own paired with pearl stud earrings and bold pearl drop earrings or with my black and white Chanel silk scarf. 

Photo courtesy of the author.

Photo courtesy of the author.

My favourite double-strand Japanese Akoya 12mm white pearl necklace, 18-19 inches in length with AAA quality bought online from the Pearl Source.  If Jackie O had her signature three-strand pearls, I think mine would be my double-strand pearls. Double the pearls, double the fun! I can easily wear this necklace during daytime and yet, I can also wear it more formally during nighttime too! I love it so much, I have another identical piece bought also from Pearl Source. To emulate Jackie Kennedy, I shall personally label these double-strand pearls as the “MLZ pearls” — short for Matte Laurel-Zalko! 

Photo courtesy of the author.

Another favourite double-strand pearls are my baroque fresh seawater pearls bought from the Philippines. I love these pearls because I can relate and identify with their imperfections. It’s perfectly imperfect! I wear these baroque pearl necklaces as a double-strand and only during evening dates or parties. It’s such an eye catching piece and I have received many compliments on them! 

Photo courtesy of the author.

I also have a double-strand freshwater pink pearls with 6-7mm size pearls in 17-18 inches length with matching drop earrings and bracelet. I bought these pink pearls from Pearls Only via their online store. To be quite honest, I’m not a huge fan of pink pearls. I thought it would grow on me but so far, I rarely wear them. Maybe just like love, it will take time! 

Photo courtesy of the author.

Photo courtesy of the author.

My triple-strand necklaces are all from the Pearl Source and again all bought online. My triple-strand Jackie Kennedy necklaces are all 7mm in pearl size and 18-19-20 inches in length. I love wearing them everyday to work and just like my signature double-strand necklaces, I can also wear them at night for a more formal look. I love them so much, I have 2 identical triple-strand 7mm necklaces. 

Photo courtesy of the author.

I also have a triple-strand of baroque freshwater pearls which I wear at nighttime at parties or more formal events. It is a set of necklace, earrings and bracelet. 

Photo courtesy of the author.

I also recently purchased a triple strand necklace, an 8-8.5mm freshwater cultured necklace in 18-19-20 inches of length with a lab created ruby pendant.

Photo courtesy of the author.

Part of my necklace collection is my four-strand white freshwater pearl necklace, a 7mm size in 18-19-20-21 inches in length. I love its lustrous design and again I can wear it during daytime or evening. I like it’s versatile enough to be worn either casually or formally. 

Photo courtesy of the author.

And also recently, my husband commissioned my local jeweller to come up with a five-strand 8-8.5mm 13 inch choker with a baroque pearl pendant to celebrate our 6th year of being together and as an advanced third year wedding anniversary! 

Photo courtesy of the author.

For my pearl earrings collection, I just love my bold pearl drop earrings from Mejuri! I love them so much, I bought two pairs! It is a freshwater cultured pearls made of gold vermeil. The top pearl is 8mm and the bottom pearl is 11mm in size. 

Baroque white cultured pearls, bold drop earrings from Mejuri. Photo courtesy of Mejuri.

I also have pearl climber earrings, also bought from Mejuri. I have two ear piercings on both ears and I like to wear my pearl climbers on a daily basis and either wear it with stud pearl earrings or my drop pearl earrings. 

Freshwater white cultured pearls, climber earrings from Mejuri. Photo courtesy of Mejuri.

I also have two pairs of baroque drop pearl earrings which I pair with my double-strand baroque pearls for evening wear. These baroque pearl drop earrings are so heavy and it must be worn with utmost care. 

Photo courtesy of the author.

Photo courtesy of the author.

Lastly, I also have the classic pearl stud earrings in freshwater white and pink pearls which I wear on a daily basis. They range from 8mm to 20mm in pearl size. 

Photo courtesy of the author.

I shall end this article with a quote from Lady Sarah Churchill, “I feel undressed if I don’t have my pearls on. My pearls are my security blanket.” I share her sentiments!