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Join the New Pearl Jewelry Revival

Stuller celebrates National Wear Your Pearls Day on December 15.

National Wear Your Pearls Day, celebrated annually on December 15, is a national depression and anxiety awareness campaign created by best-selling author and motivational speaker, DeAnna Bookert of Columbia, SC. After the death of her husband in 2015, she founded #NationalWearYourPearlsDay because pearls represented the story of her life and her struggle with depression.  

Coping with the loss of a loved one, coupled with daily trials and tribulations can be extremely difficult, but DeAnna found her inner strength and decided to work on bringing hope to others. She puts on her pearls each December 15 as a reminder of her purpose, value and beauty while encouraging all of us to do the same.  

Just as the journey of an iridescent pearl begins from a tiny irritant inside an oyster, we too can become stronger by building up our inner layers from the irritants and challenges we face. So put on your pearls and light up social media today with the hashtags #WearYourPearls and #NationalWearYourPearlsDay! 

7 Must-Have Pearl Trends 

One of Stuller’s fine jewelry product managers Taylor Beadle loves that pearls are now being worn in ways that go beyond “your mother’s pearls.” She says, “Huggies, tiny studs, and unique pearl and gemstones combinations are really on the radar right now. With these smaller jewelry looks, this allows pearls to be worn every day, layered to compliment your everyday jewelry.” Here are seven must-have selections of pearl jewelry trending now. 

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Pearl Power For All

It’s also important to note that pearls are no longer being worn by just women — just look at Harry Styles and Joc Pederson! “Pearl jewelry is so timeless and with this new pearl jewelry revival, I don’t see that changing any time soon,” says Taylor.

Stuller gemstones project manager Cody Landry says, “Tahitian Pearls hold a special place in my heart not only because they are beautiful, rare, and my birthstone, but because of what they mean. Tahitian pearls are most often associated with healing and hope, which really speaks to the meaning behind National Wear Your Pearls Day.”

Cody says that Tahitian pearls were also the ones that opened his mind to men being able to wear pearls; they have this very masculine/metallic look that appeals to men, while still having that cool/sophisticated tone that appeals to women. Tahitian pearls are a great look for men in a cuff link or tie pin and a sophisticated choice in earrings or necklaces for women of all ages.

Cultured Pearls 101

Stuller offers both saltwater and freshwater varieties of cultured pearls in numerous colors, shapes, and sizes. “Each pearl is as unique as the person that wears them,” according to Stuller director of gemstones Samantha Larson. “My favorite type are the golden South Sea pearls. There is something that draws you in and captures your imagination.”

Here is a quick overview of our cultured pearl types:

Akoya Pearls are the classic and best-known variety of all cultured pearls, often white or cream colored. The roundness of the pearl and the depth and consistency of luster have positioned this pearl as the preferred choice in making a timeless statement of good taste in jewelry selection.

Tahitian Pearls also known as Black Pearls, smolder with a rich blend of peacock green, purple, and gray overtones. Found most famously in the crystal blue lagoons of French Polynesia, Tahitian pearls are formed within the black-lipped oyster. Although cultured today, they were harvested until recently by free-diving Polynesian fisherman.

South Sea Pearls are large, luxurious pearls that are uniform and smooth with an exceptional color: silver-white or golden. The luminous beauty of South Sea Pearls is the stuff of legend. A uniquely reflective luster and a vivid palette partially explain their charm and account for their status as the most sought after of pearls.

Freshwater Pearls come in many sizes, shapes and colors and are the most affordable jewelry-grade pearls. While most freshwater pearls are cultivated and processed in China today, they also occur naturally in parts of North America, most famously the Tennessee River Pearls that became famous in the 1980s.

Mabé Pearls are flat-backed common shape pearls, great for special products and settings. The oldest cultured pearl, Chinese innovators first cultivated this specimen more than 700 years ago. Mabé pearls are unique in that they grow within the shell of the oyster instead of within its soft tissue.

Seed Pearls are petite pearls, a staple of Victorian jewelry, and make for a stunning statement when roped together in an ornately clustered necklace or brooch. Sometimes used to refer to any small pearl, seed pearl more specifically describes the tiny pearls that result from accidental dislocation of a piece of tissue within a mollusk during pearl cultivation.

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Pearls are perfect not only on #NationalWearYourPearlsDay, but for any day of the year! #WearYourPearls

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cheryl Robichaux

Staff Writer

Cheryl holds a bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Her extensive experience in the radio and print magazine industries along with her love for custom jewelry and people paved the way for her to become a Stuller storyteller.