It’s often said that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but for many, it’s the allure of pearls that’s impossible to resist. The sea’s own precious gems have been beloved by humans for centuries, seen as a sign of wealth and opulence and worn by many high profile celebrities and icons and chosen by women for thousands of years as the perfect finishing touch to a beautiful outfit.
Their impact on the fashion industry has been long-lasting and pearl necklaces, earrings and bracelets continue to be seen as tasteful and beautiful choices of accessories today. Adding an effortless touch of luxury in the most sophisticated of ways, it’s easy to understand why pearls are so highly thought of.
In honour of their everlasting allure, let’s take a walk through their fascinating history in the realm of design.
Primitive times: From 3000 B.C.E. to 476 A.D.
Pearls have been a status symbol for royalty and the privileged since ancient times, when they were worn as necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Because of this relationship with wealth and status, ancient Egyptians and Romans commonly wore pearls as amulets to bring good fortune and safety, while the fabled Egyptian queen Cleopatra wore an abundance of pearls, believing that the stones held some kind of mystical quality that boosted her attractiveness.
The Renaissance era: 14th to the 17th centuries
During the Renaissance, a renewed fascination for pearls swept the globe, with dresses, collars, and gloves all beginning to feature elaborate pearl embellishments to emphasise the wearers’ natural radiance and attractiveness. Because of their relationship with eternal love, pearls quickly became a wedding tradition staple and a symbol of purity, and they continue to be worn as adornments today, adding a touch of style and opulence as well as inkeeping with the traditional all-white bridal theme.
The splendor of the Baroque period: 17th to the 18th century
Fashion throughout the Baroque era was noted for its penchant for ostentation and at this time, pearls and pearl jewellery took centre stage. Expensive pearls were used to make tiaras, hair combs, and brooches that were standard issue for well-dressed women, and as a further expression of the prevailing mood at the time, they were often even used to create mourning jewellery, with no occasion considered inappropriate to wear these shimmering gems.
The Victorian era’s extravagance: The 19th century
Victorian era fashion was known for its lavish displays of wealth, and pearls were seen as a favoured way to express it. In fact, it was during Queen Victoria’s reign that pearls were at the height of their appeal, with brooches, tiaras, and hair combs made from pearls amongst the first pearl-themed items to become staples in the closets of well-dressed women. Mourning jewellery adorned with pearls continued to enjoy immense popularity during the Victorian period, with women unwilling to pass up a chance to show off their finery, no matter how sad the reason.
Art Deco elegance: The turn of the 20th century
Art Deco flourished at the turn of the twentieth century, when it popularised the use of geometric shapes and bold patterns in clothing, jewellery and interior design. Pearls were a typical embellishment used to adorn clothing and accessories, with the flappers of the Roaring Twenties treasuring pearls as a symbol of individuality and progress. Long pearl necklaces, sometimes known as “flapper pearls,” became a staple and were worn as symbols of the newfound freedom in women’s clothing that emerged during this time.
Mid-century modernism
A term that refers to the minimalist movement of the 1940s and 1950s, mid-century modernism became all the rage after World War II, when there was a shift back to simpler fashion. Despite being a symbol of opulence, the classic and timeless appeal of pearls has meant that they are able to lend themselves to any look, and so simple pearl necklaces and earrings continued to be worn in order to add a touch of understated elegance to the more understated attire of the time.
As a result of this time, single-strand pearl necklaces and pearl stud earrings have become universal symbols of sophistication and class. Fashion icons like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly helped propel the popularity of this pearl style, and were some of the first to demonstrate the ‘less is more’ concept that continues to be applied to luxury fashion today.
The swinging ’60s and ’70s
Bohemian fashion and cultivated pearls became very much de rigueur in the 60s and 70s, when a more eclectic approach to clothing was initiated. Cultivated pearls were created with cutting-edge technology, making the luxurious gemstone accessible to a larger audience, and were rapidly incorporated into boho chic accessories like headbands, flowing skirts, and even denim jackets. The traditional gem was given an edge by being coupled with unexpected elements, and quickly became seen as a staple of 60s and 70s style.
The contemporary renaissance of the 21st century
The 21st century has seen a renaissance in the use of pearls as a fashion item and today, designers are putting a new spin on traditional pearl jewellery by incorporating the stones into striking and cutting-edge pieces that can be worn to make a statement. Oversized pearl rings, asymmetrical pearl earrings, and leather jackets with pearl embellishments are just a few examples of this style trend in action. Pearls are once again at the forefront of fashion, but this time with a modern twist added to their classic beauty.
The bottom line
The ever-evolving popularity of pearls as a fashion accessory is a testament to the timeless beauty and adaptability of these gems. Over the course of many years and in many countries, they have surpassed their decorative roots to become symbols of status, elegance, and personal style, and by virtue of their eternal attraction, have connected various eras and been worn by kings and artists, flappers and fashion icons along the way.
Effortlessly chic and historically significant, pearls continue to attract fashionistas in the current day. From classic pearl necklaces to cutting-edge contemporary designs, their alluring radiance remains unchanged, and are a continuous reminder that, despite the ever-changing environment of the fashion business, there are certain gems that will never go out of style.
