How to choose and wear pearl beads and necklaces

Mother of pearl beads have always been in demand among jewelry lovers. Since ancient times, jewelry has been worn by members of the nobility. Queen Elizabeth I of England loved pearls and often wore several strands with stones at once. In the 20th century, Coco Chanel introduced fashion for such products. It was thanks to this French fashion designer that the combination of a string of pearls and a black dress became a classic. Today the decoration has not lost its popularity.

Decoration length

Collar

This is the name of pearl beads 35 cm long. Another common name among young people is “collar”. The decoration includes one or more threads with stones. It is worn high on the neck.

Ladies adorned themselves with this type of pearl beads in the Victorian era. Today the product has not lost popularity.

But a collar with pearls is not suitable for every woman, because it shortens the neck.

The decoration corrects the collarbone area and looks good on those with a slender figure and a long neck.

This option is better for young girls.

Jewelers make collars with one thread or threads in several tiers. And also options with pendants.

Choker

A necklace of pearls 35-40 cm long is called a choker. The model became popular among lovers of pearl jewelry thanks to US First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. She loved this type of jewelry and wore it to social events.

The choker is also popular due to its versatility. Girls wear it in everyday life and on special occasions. It suits any look - a formal office suit, a flirty dress, an evening dress, a wedding dress.

A common combination is a dress with a boat or V-shaped neckline. The decoration looks impressive and emphasizes the neck of its owner.

The choker comes in several versions: one or 2-3 tiers. The classic version is three rows of perfectly spherical pearls.

The choker does not lie loosely, but fits tightly around the neck.

Princess

Another common option for a pearl necklace is a 45 cm long thread that rests loosely on the neck. “Princess” is a universal type of jewelry that suits girls of all ages. The product looks appropriate at a business meeting and a party with friends.

“Princess” is chosen if you want to wear a string of pearls often, but there is no opportunity to purchase different models for specific occasions.

Stylists allow the combination of beads with a pendant or pendant with a large pearl. The basic rule is that the color should be the same or contrasting.

The pearl “princess” is usually worn over the top of the outfit. In the classic version, it does not come into contact with the skin.

The beads fall just below the collarbones and make the neck of its owner visually a little longer.

Mateen

The word matinee is translated from French as “first half of the day.” A string of pearls 50-60 cm long reaches the chest line.

The model is optimal for a daytime look: casual style, casual dress, trousers with a blazer. Pearl matin is always worn over clothing. The main thing is the absence of “screaming” colors.

Don't pair matin with a button-down jacket. They will distract from the pearls, even if they match the color.

Opera

Beads with opera pearls, 90 cm long, fall below chest level. Decoration requires a serious setting and appropriate attire.

This model is worn exclusively for special occasions. Long beads combine effectively with an elegant long dress, evening hairstyle and bright makeup.

Single strand beads should not be worn with everyday outfits, otherwise it will look pretentious. If you want to wear the opera during the day, fold the product in half.

Rope

Jewelers call the longest pearl beads “rope”. Their length is 110 cm. The decoration reaches to the waist level.

Rope beads in one long strand are worn for special occasions. They are optimally combined with an evening velvet or silk dress in scarlet, dark green, purple, blue. Choose a plain outfit without additional decor in the form of a brooch or a scattering of buttons.

The beads make a chic bracelet if you wrap it around your wrist. The decoration is also worn in two or three threads. In this case, it can be worn with a business suit or cocktail dress.

Another option is to tie a long string of pearl beads in a knot.

Magical and healing effects

Protector and Helper

From ancient times to this day, the magic of black pearls has been recognized by sorcerers and people who believe in miracles. It is believed that jewelry in the form of stud earrings or pendants (located next to the soul and heart) gives the owner confidence and helps to emerge victorious from any situation.

Rings and bracelets with black pearls help in communicating with people, teach you to make the right decisions and get rid of bad thoughts. But at the same time, the owner of the jewelry himself must be clean, and his actions must not harm others. Recommended for mature women (over 40 years old).

Compatibility by zodiac signs

According to the horoscope, a necklace and bracelet with black pearls suits Cancers. They protect from negative emotions and lead to success. For Pisces, the stone will become a talisman if the person is confident in himself.

With the help of a black amulet, Gemini will save the family; there will be no deception and betrayal between spouses. Aquarius and Scorpio can count on help in love. For envious people and gossipers, this is an insurmountable obstacle.

Ideal for Virgos and Taurus, it brings good luck, success and wealth. But jewelry with black pearls is not suitable for Leo, as well as for other representatives of the element of Fire - Sagittarius and Aries.

At what age to wear pearls?

Pearls are worn at any age. Even on little five-year-old girls, a thin string of tiny stones looks appropriate. The baby wears beads with pearls for the birthday or wedding of relatives.

Beads of cream or pink color are suitable for young girls. The main condition is to wear jewelry with small stones. Choker or princess styles look good on teenagers.

Instead of a necklace, you can wear a pendant with a large pearl. And combine it with stud earrings.

Older ladies are allowed to wear long strings of pearls with large stones of any color. Jewelry with massive pearls in 2-3 rows is suitable.

Keep a sense of proportion. Even at an advanced age, you should not wear beads, a bracelet and earrings with large pearls at the same time. This set looks vulgar in any situation.

In ancient times, there was a sign according to which an unmarried girl could not wear beads with pearls. Otherwise, she will not find her loved one and will remain alone forever.

How to choose decoration

Where to buy

Buy pearl beads only from trusted online stores or from private sellers with good reviews. Feel free to ask for a certificate with information about the quality and country of origin of the pearls.

At fairs and markets, fakes without documents are often sold.

Do not purchase beads through Chinese online sites. Even if the product is included in the sale items and attracts with a low price.

The best option is to place an order from a private jeweler. He will make jewelry of excellent quality in a single copy.

Don't buy beads in a hurry. If the necklace is packaged in a box or the seller is showing it from afar, be sure to pick up the jewelry and hold it for a few minutes. High-quality pebbles are always heavy. If the beads are light, this is a fake.

Before purchasing, place the necklace on your neck and look at yourself in the mirror. Make sure the color of the stones matches your skin tone.

Consider the price of the product. Jewelers do not sell high quality necklaces cheaply.

Products made from sea pearls are more expensive than those made from freshwater pearls. Read more about the differences between the stones in the article “Differences between sea and freshwater river pearls.”

Appearance

Carefully inspect your pearl beads before purchasing. Natural stones shine brightly and shimmer in the light. This factor indicates a high-quality selection of stones before making jewelry.

Gently rub the pearls together. If marks remained on the surface, jewelers used fake stones.

Pay attention to the clasp. When making high-quality beads, craftsmen make them from metal:

• silver;
• gold;
• platinum.

Metal increases the cost of the product, but it will not deteriorate over time. Inexpensive jewelry alloys oxidize after a few years. Reputable companies do not use them when making pearl necklaces.

Long beads are often sold without a lock because they are worn over the head.

Take a closer look at the hole in the pebbles through which the thread passes. It should be free of nicks and layers.

The thread itself is made of smooth, tightly twisted silk. If it is twisted weakly, the beads will tear if worn carelessly.

Color

Natural pearls have a rich range of colors. Most often they sell yellow, silver, cream, golden, and pink beads.

Pure white, black, blue, purple, and black stones are less common. They are more expensive and are not available in all jewelry stores.

Usually craftsmen make monochromatic jewelry. Less often, stores sell options in several colors.

Do not buy pearl beads with foreign inclusions or clots of paint. Natural stone has a uniform, monochromatic color.

Consider the color type

When buying pearls, take into account the color type of appearance. Otherwise, the beads will ruin your look.

For girls with white skin, blond, brown or light brown hair, pink or bluish stones are suitable. Dark-skinned women will look good with yellowish-colored jewelry.

Golden pearl beads are suitable for girls with brown eyes.

Owners of porcelain skin should not buy products with black stones. They will give the skin an unhealthy pale tint. Read more about the black stone in our article “About black pearls: why they are like that.”

The best option for all color types is silver, cream, snow-white pearls.

Form

A common option is beads with pearls in the shape of a ball. This form is considered perfect.

Oval, pear-shaped and button stones are also found.

Baroque (shapeless) pearls are popular. We talk about them in the article “About Baroque pearls: what they are and jewelry made from them.”

The shape of the stone depends on the location of formation in the body of the mollusk. Necklaces and chokers made of spherical pearls are considered classics.

Fashion trends

Fashion gurus delight with modern jewelry with pearls in chocolate shades. They have a unique shine and rich color. The option is universal, looks organically with all types and colors of leather, fur or fabric.

Any “chocolate” pearl accessory is a stylish item in your wardrobe, suitable for business and casual outfits.

However, it is expensive; jewelers save such pearls for platinum or gold jewelry (750°).

Even wedding jewelry can have this color - for those who like to slightly shock the audience. Although specialists from Mallorca, Mikimoto and other top companies prefer proven white.

Wedding jewelry made of pearls

Products with colored pearls are for ladies who love to experiment and stand out from the crowd.

Handmade is always fashionable. There are enough courses and material on the Internet, and in literature stores, to master decorating pearls with your own hands. A clutch embroidered with beads, jeans, beads originally assembled into a brooch or pin, and other jewelry with pearls will become unique. And the envy of your girlfriends.

What determines quality and cost?

The cost of a necklace is influenced by several factors: the length of the jewelry, the material of the clasp, the thickness of the mother of pearl, the characteristics of the pearls, the brand and country of the manufacturer.

Jewelers grade pearls using a letter classification.

Low grade is designated by the letter A. The stones have a middle layer of mother-of-pearl and good shine. The shape of the stone is close to spherical, and surface defects are from 25%.

Class AAA is the highest grade of pearls. There are no defects in such stones, the layer of mother-of-pearl is thick, and the luster is strong.

Information about the classification of pearls is indicated in the product passport. The higher the quality of the stones, the more expensive the jewelry is.

Usually, when making beads, jewelers string pearls of equal size and quality onto a thread. It is allowed to use several beads of a different class. But jewelry made from identical stones is more expensive.

How to choose pearl beads?

When choosing beads, they are guided by their length and the quality of the pearls themselves. Also pay attention to their size and color. The older the lady, the larger pearls she can afford. But it’s even more important to pay attention to the harmony of the beads in the necklace. For example, several strands can be made of small pearls; a massive pendant requires a large pearl to surround it.

Cream and snow-white pearl beads are considered universal shades that suit everyone. Not only contrasting colors are suitable for dark skin, but also warm yellow ones, and pink and cold pastel colors for light skin.

Price

In Moscow and other large cities, jewelers make necklaces with pearls for any budget. The stores sell inexpensive products within a thousand rubles and luxurious necklaces with gold inserts.

Beads made of cream stone in combination with red gold cost 21 thousand rubles. A gold necklace with pearls and Swarovski crystals sells for 42 thousand rubles.

Jewelry chains offer luxurious jewelry made of large dark purple pearls with gold inserts for 510 thousand rubles.

If you are planning to buy budget jewelry, pay attention to small freshwater pearls. A pearl necklace on a silver chain costs 2.5 thousand rubles. The beads sell for 1.8 thousand rubles.

Children's pearl beads 35 cm long cost from 960 rubles.

Private jewelers are selling a baroque pearl necklace for 8 thousand rubles. The “Chess Queen” decoration with black and white stones costs 3.9 thousand rubles.

Range

In jewelry, precious material appears independently or as an insert. Depending on this, there are two types of accessories:

• pearl jewelry: necklaces, necklaces, bracelets, pendants without frames;
• products with pearls: earrings, rings, pendants in metal frames.

Designers love to work with pearls, known as baroque pearls. These are not round stones, but fancy, bizarre shapes. Sometimes such a “defect” makes the product unique, increasing the price several times.

In serial jewelry, pearls are rarely forced into the proximity of other stones. More often these are solo inserts or a composition of multi-colored pearls. The delicacy of the material requires taste and skill in order for the result to be worthy. Craftsmen undertake such experiments, performing individual original works.

The setting of the jewelry is made of precious or simple metals, depending on the quality or origin of the pearl.