The Magic of Pearl Bracelets

Pearls have been used for jewelry and decoration for several hundred years now.  In the old days, the only pearls that were available were natural pearls which were quite rare and expensive.  Even today, natural pearls continue to be exorbitantly pricey with a single strand of matched natural pearls costing thousands of dollars if not more!  This high cost notwithstanding, pearls have been and continue to be the favorite of many well-known personalities.  Grace Kelly’s wardrobe included a Van Arpel set of pearl and diamond jewelry as a wedding gift from her husband, the Prince of Monaco.  Of course, the relationship between Jackie Kennedy and her pearl necklace, a diamond and freshwater pearl bracelet is quite well known.  Even Marilyn Monroe treasured her pearl jewelry.

Different types of pearl jewelry invoke different impressions or feelings about the wearer, fair or not.  For example, a freshwater pearl bracelet tends to suggest innocence.  It brings to mind a young woman or girl.  A pearl necklace is typically associated with a more mature and sophisticated woman.  A pearl ankle bracelet or anklet is more suggestive and evocative.  The color of the pearls also plays an important role in the character of the pearl bracelet.  White and off white are the most common colors for pearls.  Cream, yellow, light pink and black pearls are also found in nature, albeit not as commonly as white and off white shades.  Pearl bracelets of various colors have a different visual interaction based on color of the skin.  White and off white bracelets tend to bring out the ivory shades of pale skin.  Darker or tanned skins will appear to glow with white and off white pearls.  The color contrast between white pearls and dark skin can be quite striking.

One particular style of bracelet is currently very popular with teens and young adults.  The spine or backbone of the bracelet is a sterling silver chain.  Small colorful pearls hang from this spine.  The pearls are usually no more than 4 mm in diameter, and brightly colored.  This bracelet is good to wear by itself.  But, if you want to complete the set, you can wear a pearl necklace and pair of sterling earrings.  The pearl necklace itself can be a classic white pearl necklace, or may be of a similar style as the bracelet.  If you do choose to wear a conventional pearl necklace, make sure you get one with small pearls, so that it does not overwhelm the sterling silver pendant and the ensemble as a whole.