The Timeless Beauty of Pearls

« Back to list5th December, 2009

Learn all about pearls; their history, what to look for, and how to wear them.

Beautiful brides and lustrous pearls have always gone hand in hand, which is not surprising given that Venus, the Goddess of Love, is credited with the creation of these precious gems. Pearls have a timeless allure and in ancient times, they were believed to be gifts from the Gods, transformed from drops of dew.  

Throughout history they have captured the imagination of women like Cleopatra, who is said to have dissolved a priceless pearl before toasting to her lover Mark Antony.  Harking back to days of elegance and grace were women like Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, Jacqui Kennedy Onassis and Elizabeth Taylor who all fell under the pearl’s captivating spell.  

In the new millennium, pearls are back in vogue. Seen on catwalks across the world and coveted by fashionable women all over the globe, pearls make a style statement unlike any other.

South Sea pearls are highly coveted due to the incredible depth of the nacre, the pearly material secreted by the host shell.  The lustre of these fine pearls is said to be the finest in the world due to the way they refract the light and appear to glow rather than shine.  

No two pearls are ever the same. Each one is a unique, natural creation meaning that you own something that is totally unique and personal. Talented craftsmen lovingly fashion  individual pieces of jewellery to suit every type of bride; be it bold and modern pair of earrings, a sweet and demure pendant or a elegant strand of pearls.

Lustre is the single most important factor in the beauty of a pearl but there are other characteristics, such as the complexion, shape , colour and size that are important considerations. The four traditional shapes are round, teardrop, button and oval, but non-symmetrical pearls are a modern alternative. The choice of your pearl colour will depend on your complexion and how the pearl looks against your skin tone.  

Taking care of your pearls requires some care. It is important that you never toss your pearls into a jewellery box with harder pieces that may scratch the surface of the pearl. Keep them away from perfume and hair sprays and have them professionally cleaned and re-strung regularly to keep them looking their best.

And with loving care your pearls will retain their glamour and lustre and you’ll be able to hand them down with pride to your own daughter on her wedding day.