Pearls of Wisdom

Anne Boleyn (nee, Anne Bullen), in pearls

There is no doubt that pearls are an exquisite addition to just about any look, and have the power to give a lift to even the basic boy-cut shirt and jeans. I have been wearing pearls since teenagehood (in the 70s, this was not a terribly popular look, I can assure you). But I soldiered on, with my side part and bob (this in the midst of Susan Dey-mania, when every girl had center-parted long hair), tortoise-shell barrette and Docksiders, pretty much skipping the double-knit and bell-bottoms trend. But I digress...

Ah, yes...PEARLS. They've been prized for centuries by women of means, monarchs and the celebrated. Scores of portraits show their subjects dripping in them.

My indirect ancestor Anne Boleyn is shown wearing her famous "B" necklace adorned with pearls. (No one knows what happened to that necklace after her beheading...) She was not known for her looks, but was renowned for her style and fashion sense.

There are many types of pearls, some more valuable than others. The best ones are typically natural pearls (as opposed to cultured, or man-influenced pearls). The best among the natural are the Akoya, South Sea or other saltwater pearls. There are also freshwater pearls that have become popular due to their affordability.

In terms of style, I believe every woman needs a pearl wardrobe. This includes the following basics:

Pearl stud earrings in at least two sizes (9 and 11 millimeter)

Pearl cluster earrings

Graduated single-strand necklace

Large-millimeter non-graduated single strand

Triple or quad-strand necklace (think Jackie's famous ones)

Choker

Toursade

Bracelet--preferably a double strand

Other nice-to-haves include the extra-long double strand that reaches way down below the bustline.

It's also terribly grand to have pearls in various colors. I love the look of the black or grey pearls as well as the white.

Once you've achieved the pearl wardrobe above, it's then fun to move into costume or "faux" bold pearl accessories.

I've included some of my "good" pearl wardrobe below...

Pearl and diamond button earrings

Classic small triple strand

Large biwa in gold wire

Matching bracelet

Classic 18" graduated

Triple-pearl cluster earrings

Single strand with horsey clasp

Freshwater toursade

South sea strand

Again

Multi-color triple strand

Large striple strand

Pearls with coral

There used to be an old axiom that it was bad luck to wear pearls other than those given you by your husband. That seems to have gone away...many of mine have been gift to self! I wear mine with everything--from black-tie to T-shirts.

Not knit one but pearl two,

ABL