If you could only have five pieces, what would they be and why?

[J.lee]

Bumping this thread. It was a fun read. I wish I could contribute, I don’t have many pearl pieces.

@Pomelo i love your style! I like how you mix in designer pieces. I too have the medium loop earrings and never thought to wear them with pearls.

Now that your collection has grown, If you could only have five pieces, what would they be and why?

P.s. I saw your keshi studs on another thread and I’m on a hunt to find one. I’ve been on this forum all day today.

 

[Pomelo]

Bumping this thread. It was a fun read. I wish I could contribute, I don’t have many pearl pieces.

@Pomelo i love your style! I like how you mix in designer pieces. I too have the medium loop earrings and never thought to wear them with pearls.

Now that your collection has grown, If you could only have five pieces, what would they be and why?

P.s. I saw your keshi studs on another thread and I’m on a hunt to find one. I’ve been on this forum all day today.

Hello! Thanks, this was a great thread to learn from the maestros hehehe! Where are you on your pearl journey?

Interestingly, I’ve been consolidating my collection recently by giving away pieces to my mum and MIL, as I wasn’t reaching for some of them and I don’t like jewellery just sitting in the box.

I can give you my top two very easily, but the next three are harder. Pics at the end!


Top two:

1. Strand of 7-9mm multicolour semi-baroque/semi-round T’s with great luster that beats all other T’s I own by some distance. This size works for all occasions, on my frame, with my outfits… and it meant that all my other T’s get overlooked every single time.

2. Strand of 7mm natural white drop-shaped akoya from Flower Jem on Instagram. Incredible luster. Lovely shape. Now that I have this strand, despite their relatively diminutive size, I reach for it every time over the larger but less lustrous SSPs or my light coloured Ts. I wore this strand to some pearl shops in Kobe and Tokyo, and would get lovely comments from the staff on the lustre of these.

The next three are harder because I don’t wear them / reach for them as much:

3. Mismatched monster pair of 16+mm T and WSS. In theory I like them. In practice they’re a bit heavy which means they’re not super comfortable and also droop a bit. Am getting them reset with Omega backs to see if that improves the situation. Generally I don’t wear pearl studs often because I know I shouldn’t shower in them, but I’m too lazy to take them off (and feel bad about it once the soap suds have washed off)

4. Convertible soufflé T bracelet x silver chain = necklace. This is the coolest pearl piece I own and I picked all the pearls from a little tub whilst browsing General Pearl in Tokyo. But I usually either go for my high lustre multicolour T’s or drop akoya if I’m wearing a pearl necklace

5. Blue baroque akoya bracelet 9mm+ from Flower Jem. I love the pearls in this as they have fantastic colour and lustre, but I don’t like it in bracelet form. When I wear it, I worry about whether it’d scratch. However, I haven’t thought of a good plan to repurpose these yet


I think the lessons learned is that:
1. I value different things depending on whether it’s a necklace vs earring vs bracelet (I don’t own any pearl rings at the moment). Pearl strands = top lustre. Earrings = max size. Bracelet = trying to find a way to wear them without being worried about scratches!

2. It takes time and experience (not to mention financial resources!) to learn what you like. Even though I think I did very well for my first pearl purchases, they have either all been re-homed or aren’t being worn. I think we’ve all made pearl mistakes along the way!

3. See things and buy things in person if possible. Try on as much as you can and take lots of photos. And always bring a reference pearl!

4. Don’t underestimate the practical side of wearing pearls. I should’ve known that, due to my laziness in taking them off, pearl studs don’t suit my lifestyle. I should’ve also known that pearl bracelets are a worry because I bash into things / the toddlers bash into me etc. At least I didn’t spend any money on pearl rings haha!


I’m sure that in five years, my list will be different as our tastes change, lifestyles change etc. But I’m currently at pearl peace and trying to reduce my collection (even though it’s quite small compared to others on here hehe).

Hope this helps

 

[J.lee]

Good advice to bring a reference pearl.

Here’s what I have so far. And if I do get more I can chime in.

Top-Mikimoto 6.5mm bracelet
Middle-Mikimoto 7-9mm 18” graduated strand (gift to my mom, which she then gifted back)
Bottom-Pearl Paradise freshwater 35”
Brown-Mikimoto 52” rope 6mm

Tiffany drop (I believe FW)
Miki tincup bracelet

Left-Miki
Middle-pearl paradise FW
Right-Miki T’s

 

[J.lee]

I want to add a fireball strand and a nice mix of assorted T’s. Ooh and some keshi studs

Also the PP and miki studs are nearly the same size. I’m glad I can wear them as a mismatch set.

I also want to note that I am happy with the Mikimotos I own, but if I could start over, I wouldn’t be so caught up with the luxury name.

 

[Pomelo]

I want to add a fireball strand and a nice mix of assorted T’s. Ooh and some keshi studs

Also the PP and miki studs are nearly the same size. I’m glad I can wear them as a mismatch set.

I also want to note that I am happy with the Mikimotos I own, but if I could start over, I wouldn’t be so caught up with the luxury name.

What a lovely collection and look forward to seeing what you add!

I think the Mikis are a great foundation (no pearl collection would be without white akoya!) and you can add more interesting pieces from there onwards

There’s lots of good advice on these boards as to where to buy pearls. Personally though, my favourite place to shop for pearls has to be in Japan - go to Kobe if you can but other cities will also have a good variety! You can build it into a bigger trip

I went to a trade show in Hong Kong and found it quite overwhelming tbh. But maybe that’s because I only went once - I’m sure the seasoned veterans know how to navigate it better!

Your question prompted me to think about my pearl collection in more depth - thank you. And here are my ramblings in case they’re helpful.

For me, pearls are part of a wider jewellery collection - my love is of jewellery itself, not just pearls or diamonds or gemstones.

I was reflecting on (1) why I like pearl necklaces in particular and (2) I don’t own a GSS strand.

Regarding (1), I think it’s because I don’t really own other “chunkier” necklaces - I mostly have smallish pendants in chains. As such, 40-45cm strands of pearls give me that “chunky” look. I also like how pearls lend a feminine energy to my otherwise relatively unisex / edgier outfits. But I know they’re delicate compared to other materials and this is why I worry about pearl bracelets and rings in particular.

Regarding pearl earrings - I’m a big fan of earrings in general and have been slowly building the collection, so usually my other earrings take precedent (a real mix of gold, silver, diamonds and other coloured gemstones). Practicality matters a lot to me and ever since I’ve started taking the toddler swimming, I generally only wear things that can withstand chlorine, so pearl studs that are fiddly to put on/take off don’t get worn.

My pearl strands have easy, large, unfiddly double-ended clasps like this (this strand has since been rehomed to my MIL - she was thrilled and I’m so happy this re homing worked out haha)

As for (2), it’s because I already have a one-and-done “chunky” solid gold necklace - my VCA 10 motif rose gold hammered vintage Alhambra. I know it’s my one-and-done because despite lusting after other chunky gold necklaces (including GSS strands but also eg the Bvlgari Tubogas or other chunky gold chains), I tell myself I have the VCA and I’m wholly satisfied.

 

[J.lee]

I am glad u are satisfied. That’s a good thing. My hubs says I obsess over something, buy multiples then move onto something else and the cycle starts all over again .

Now it’s pearls. Hubs wanted to watch a movie last night but I was browsing this forum while searching for pearls that he yelled at me lol. Had to put my phone down.

I would love to add GSS too but that may be one of the last pieces. I love how pearls just adds volume.

Your VCA pieces are lovely. I recently sold my gold hammer bracelet. I was down the VCA rabbit hole but I feel it’s too repetitive and am happy with my collection.

 

[Pearl Dreams]

@J.lee, Maybe you could get your hubs some Tahitians too-- convert him! (My DH loves his Tahitians.)

 

[Amoreperla]

Thanks @jeg for the wise words. Must’ve brought back memories when you went through jewellery by era!

Just wondering how you create those opportunities to see and learn about amazing pearls? Even if it’s “just luck”, I believe that we create our own luck

To your point, I think it takes time, effort and trial-and-error to really discover what we love and what we will wear again and again. I’ve definitely made some poor decisions in the past on pieces of jewellery - perhaps because it was so beautiful in photos, or it was designer, or rare.

Over time, I realised that I couldn’t simply enjoy looking at a piece in my jewellery box. So, one metric I like to think about is (cost per wear)*enjoyment, ie cost per wear and enjoyment both factor into the equation, because a piece may bring a ton of joy but can only be worn on certain occasions.

This equation “helped” me splurge on some VCA Magic Alhambra earrings. I winced at the checkout and I knew they wouldn’t be a daily wear piece, but I pull them out whenever I’m feeling even the teensiest bit fancy because they bring me so much joy! They’re MOP so still in keeping with this forum

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Those are beautiful on you!

 

[Pomelo]

I am glad u are satisfied. That’s a good thing. My hubs says I obsess over something, buy multiples then move onto something else and the cycle starts all over again .

Now it’s pearls. Hubs wanted to watch a movie last night but I was browsing this forum while searching for pearls that he yelled at me lol. Had to put my phone down.

I would love to add GSS too but that may be one of the last pieces. I love how pearls just adds volume.

Your VCA pieces are lovely. I recently sold my gold hammer bracelet. I was down the VCA rabbit hole but I feel it’s too repetitive and am happy with my collection.

Hahaha I am quite an obsessive person too!

And you put it better than I did, pearls add volume indeed, as well as providing visual interest compared to diamonds and gems that usually sparkle.

The good thing about VCA is that it holds it value well and sells quickly on the secondary market if the price is right!