Pearls are unique among gemstones. Unlike every other gem, pearls are produced by living creatures as opposed to being mined from the Earth. It’s this organic quality that makes pearl jewellery so special.
Prized for centuries for their elegance, pearls are distinguished by their lustrous shine – a soft glow that sets them apart. Whether you’re searching for pearl anniversary gifts or a meaningful jewellery gift for a June birthday, here’s what you need to know about these beautiful gemstones.
What are pearls?
Pearls are made by molluscs such as oysters or freshwater mussels. The process begins when an irritant – a parasite, perhaps or even a grain of sand – enters the shell. To defend itself, the mollusc secretes layers of aragonite and conchiolin, the materials also found in its shell, around the irritant. This creates a substance called nacre, or mother-of-pearl, which gives pearls their distinctive lustre.
Pearls can be formed naturally in the wild without human intervention, or grown on pearl farms. Cultured pearls are created by inserting an irritant into a mollusc to encourage the formation of nacre. Both natural and cultured pearls are considered “real” pearls.
At Austen & Blake, we use freshwater pearls in our jewellery, and they come with a certificate to guarantee their authenticity and quality.
What do pearls symbolise?
Thought to represent purity, wisdom and new beginnings, pearls make a meaningful gift for any occasion. Some believe pearls represent strength, resilience and spiritual growth, owing to the way they are formed in an oyster and against adversity.
Pearl is the June birthstone, so delicate pearl jewellery is perfect for anyone born in that month: a gold and pearl drop necklace or simple pearl stud earrings will be treasured all year round.
Pearl is also the traditional gift to celebrate a 30th wedding anniversary. Whether you’re looking for pearl wedding anniversary gifts for your parents or for your partner, you’ll find plenty of pieces to mark your milestone in our collection.
Finally, if your big day is fast approaching, pearl jewellery makes wonderful bridal jewellery or a beautiful gift for your wedding party. From understated pearl pendants to contemporary sculptural styles with pearl detailing, there’s something for everyone in your bridal squad.
What to look for when buying pearl jewellery
Ready to start your pearl journey? These are the qualities to look for when shopping for pearl jewellery.
Shape
Pearls come in a variety of shapes, including oval, button and drop. The rarest and most valuable pearls are perfectly round and smooth. Baroque pearls are irregular in shape.
Size
Pearls are measured in millimetres and can range greatly in size, from small seed pearls to large statement gems. In general, the larger the pearl, the more valuable it is.
Colour
We tend to think of pearls as white or cream but they can come in different colours including silver, blue and green.
Lustre
Lustre describes the shine of a pearl. Light doesn’t just reflect off the surface but also travels through the layers of nacre inside, so the best-quality pearls produce sharp, bright reflections as well as appearing to glow from within.
Matching
While no two pearls are the same, consistency matters. Whether it’s a necklace or a pearl gift set, look for uniformity in terms of colour, size, shape and lustre to give your piece a harmonious look.
Popular jewellery styles
From pearl bridal jewellery to pair with your wedding dress to gold and pearl jewellery that takes you from work to weekend, our pearl jewellery collection has something to suit every style. Discover some of our bestselling pieces.
Pearl rings
A symbol of new beginnings, a hero pearl puts a fresh spin on a diamond ring or makes a beautiful companion to another gemstone on a toi et moi two-stone ring. Our Maple ring features a round pearl at the centre and you can turn it into a real statement piece for cocktail hour by choosing a larger size of pearl.
Pearl earrings
Classic studs or delicate drops, pearl earrings will elevate any outfit with ease. Our Mimi drop earrings feature small round pearls on a chain for a modern approach. The Arlen studs, meanwhile, pair pearls with small diamond studs in a neat bezel setting for a versatile, polished look.
Pearl necklaces
Pearl necklaces are not just about uniform strands of pearls. These lustrous gemstones team perfectly with diamonds and other gemstones in our collection of contemporary pearl drop necklaces and pendants. Our Elowynne necklace features a row of small diamonds with a round pearl suspended from a chain to make a beautiful pearl necklace gift for someone you love.
Pearl bracelets
Whether it’s a 30th anniversary gift or a modern piece to add to your own collection, a pearl bracelet is a sophisticated choice for everyday wear. Our Veronika bangle features a slim open band in your choice of gold or platinum, finished with a round diamond at one end and a larger round pearl at the other.
Are pearls expensive?
The price of your pearl jewellery will vary, depending on the origin, size, quality and number of pearls used within your chosen design. The cost of your jewellery will also depend on your chosen precious metal. As with all fine jewellery, it’s important to put personal preference first to create a piece you truly love wearing and stay in your financial comfort zone.
How to care for pearls
Pearl jewellery is often given for special occasions – as pearl wedding anniversary gifts, for example. So you’ll want to keep these modern heirlooms looking their best for years, if not generations, to come.
- The best thing that you can do for your pearls is to wear them regularly. Pearls can become dehydrated in storage, but the natural oils from your skin help to keep them moisturised. So take them out of the box!
- Pearls can be scratched if they come into contact with sharp objects or other gemstones. So store them in a soft pouch within your jewellery box.
- Wipe pearls gently with a soft cloth after each wear. If cleaning is required, take them to a jeweller to have this done professionally. Don’t use an ultrasonic cleaner as this can damage them.
- Pearls can lose their lustre if they’re exposed to chemicals such as sunscreen or perfume, so make sure they’re the last thing you put on when getting dressed.
How to store pearl jewellery
As with all jewellery, we would recommend retaining the box received with purchase to store your pearl jewellery separately from other pieces in your collection. Our boxes have been perfectly designed to store your jewellery in, saving it from being knocked or damaged by other jewellery items. Avoid storing pearls in hot or overly dry conditions, as this can dry out the nacre and cause cracking. With pearl necklaces, lay strands flat to avoid stretching the silk thread over time.
A final thought
Inspired to explore the lustrous world of pearl jewellery? From the best pearl gifts for men to pearl wedding anniversary gifts for parents, shop our collection of pearl jewellery now.
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Pearls are unique among gemstones. Unlike every other gem, pearls are produced by living creatures as opposed to being mined from the Earth. It’s this organic quality that makes pearl jewellery so special.
Prized for centuries for their elegance, pearls are distinguished by their lustrous shine – a soft glow that sets them apart. Whether you’re searching for pearl anniversary gifts or a meaningful jewellery gift for a June birthday, here’s what you need to know about these beautiful gemstones.
What are pearls?
Pearls are made by molluscs such as oysters or freshwater mussels. The process begins when an irritant – a parasite, perhaps or even a grain of sand – enters the shell. To defend itself, the mollusc secretes layers of aragonite and conchiolin, the materials also found in its shell, around the irritant. This creates a substance called nacre, or mother-of-pearl, which gives pearls their distinctive lustre.
Pearls can be formed naturally in the wild without human intervention, or grown on pearl farms. Cultured pearls are created by inserting an irritant into a mollusc to encourage the formation of nacre. Both natural and cultured pearls are considered “real” pearls.
At Austen & Blake, we use freshwater pearls in our jewellery, and they come with a certificate to guarantee their authenticity and quality.
What do pearls symbolise?
Thought to represent purity, wisdom and new beginnings, pearls make a meaningful gift for any occasion. Some believe pearls represent strength, resilience and spiritual growth, owing to the way they are formed in an oyster and against adversity.
Pearl is the June birthstone, so delicate pearl jewellery is perfect for anyone born in that month: a gold and pearl drop necklace or simple pearl stud earrings will be treasured all year round.
Pearl is also the traditional gift to celebrate a 30th wedding anniversary. Whether you’re looking for pearl wedding anniversary gifts for your parents or for your partner, you’ll find plenty of pieces to mark your milestone in our collection.
Finally, if your big day is fast approaching, pearl jewellery makes wonderful bridal jewellery or a beautiful gift for your wedding party. From understated pearl pendants to contemporary sculptural styles with pearl detailing, there’s something for everyone in your bridal squad.
What to look for when buying pearl jewellery
Ready to start your pearl journey? These are the qualities to look for when shopping for pearl jewellery.
Shape
Pearls come in a variety of shapes, including oval, button and drop. The rarest and most valuable pearls are perfectly round and smooth. Baroque pearls are irregular in shape.
Size
Pearls are measured in millimetres and can range greatly in size, from small seed pearls to large statement gems. In general, the larger the pearl, the more valuable it is.
Colour
We tend to think of pearls as white or cream but they can come in different colours including silver, blue and green.
Lustre
Lustre describes the shine of a pearl. Light doesn’t just reflect off the surface but also travels through the layers of nacre inside, so the best-quality pearls produce sharp, bright reflections as well as appearing to glow from within.
Matching
While no two pearls are the same, consistency matters. Whether it’s a necklace or a pearl gift set, look for uniformity in terms of colour, size, shape and lustre to give your piece a harmonious look.
Popular jewellery styles
From pearl bridal jewellery to pair with your wedding dress to gold and pearl jewellery that takes you from work to weekend, our pearl jewellery collection has something to suit every style. Discover some of our bestselling pieces.
Pearl rings
A symbol of new beginnings, a hero pearl puts a fresh spin on a diamond ring or makes a beautiful companion to another gemstone on a toi et moi two-stone ring. Our Maple ring features a round pearl at the centre and you can turn it into a real statement piece for cocktail hour by choosing a larger size of pearl.
Pearl earrings
Classic studs or delicate drops, pearl earrings will elevate any outfit with ease. Our Mimi drop earrings feature small round pearls on a chain for a modern approach. The Arlen studs, meanwhile, pair pearls with small diamond studs in a neat bezel setting for a versatile, polished look.
Pearl necklaces
Pearl necklaces are not just about uniform strands of pearls. These lustrous gemstones team perfectly with diamonds and other gemstones in our collection of contemporary pearl drop necklaces and pendants. Our Elowynne necklace features a row of small diamonds with a round pearl suspended from a chain to make a beautiful pearl necklace gift for someone you love.
Pearl bracelets
Whether it’s a 30th anniversary gift or a modern piece to add to your own collection, a pearl bracelet is a sophisticated choice for everyday wear. Our Veronika bangle features a slim open band in your choice of gold or platinum, finished with a round diamond at one end and a larger round pearl at the other.
Are pearls expensive?
The price of your pearl jewellery will vary, depending on the origin, size, quality and number of pearls used within your chosen design. The cost of your jewellery will also depend on your chosen precious metal. As with all fine jewellery, it’s important to put personal preference first to create a piece you truly love wearing and stay in your financial comfort zone.
How to care for pearls
Pearl jewellery is often given for special occasions – as pearl wedding anniversary gifts, for example. So you’ll want to keep these modern heirlooms looking their best for years, if not generations, to come.
How to store pearl jewellery
As with all jewellery, we would recommend retaining the box received with purchase to store your pearl jewellery separately from other pieces in your collection. Our boxes have been perfectly designed to store your jewellery in, saving it from being knocked or damaged by other jewellery items. Avoid storing pearls in hot or overly dry conditions, as this can dry out the nacre and cause cracking. With pearl necklaces, lay strands flat to avoid stretching the silk thread over time.
A final thought
Inspired to explore the lustrous world of pearl jewellery? From the best pearl gifts for men to pearl wedding anniversary gifts for parents, shop our collection of pearl jewellery now.