Pearl Jewellery: A Modern Guide

Pearls have shaken off the idea that they belong only to formal occasions. Worn with denim, knitwear or a plain white shirt they read as quietly modern rather than traditional, and they are one of the easiest ways to make an everyday outfit look considered.

Know what you are buying

Freshwater pearls are the most widely available and offer the best value, with slightly irregular shapes that many people prefer. Akoya pearls are rounder and brighter. Shell or glass pearls are man-made, lighter in the hand and a sensible choice for statement pieces you do not want to spend a great deal on.

Shape is a style choice, not a flaw

Perfectly round pearls look classic and formal. Baroque and rice-shaped pearls have irregular outlines and feel far more contemporary. Neither is better; they simply belong to different looks.

Wear them more often

A single strand over a crew neck jumper, pearl studs with a blazer, or a pearl drop earring paired with a plain hoop are all easy, everyday combinations. Mixing pearls with gold chain is one of the most reliable layering tricks there is.

Look after them properly

Pearls are soft and porous, so they should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off. Wipe them with a soft damp cloth after wearing, keep them away from perfume and never soak them. Store strands flat rather than hanging, so the silk thread does not stretch.