The most important rule when choosing a pearl necklace is to be bold and exceptional.
The pearl necklace has long been considered a classic piece of jewelry. It was worn on special occasions and paired with sharply tailored clothing. However, the jewelry-wearing culture is changing, and new trends are emerging. The new rule for choosing and wearing pearls is to be bold and exceptional when pairing them with your look.
Whatever style you prefer, a pearl necklace will retain charm and elegance. That is the strength of these amazing pearls.
What are a pearl necklace, choker, and collier?
Necklace, choker, and collier refer to neck jewelry. They draw attention to delicate collarbones, shoulders, and the delicate lines of the chin. However, each piece has characteristics and accents that can be beneficially used to create an attractive appearance.
Necklaces are medium-length and rarely fall below the bust. The middle part is always larger and more expressive than the side parts.
A choker is a small piece of jewelry that hugs the neck. Small pendants that do not extend below the collarbones complement some chokers with pearls.
A collier is a symmetrical accessory along its entire length. The middle and side parts are characterized by the same design.
Unlike colliers and chokers, necklaces are often worn over clothing.
Designers choose different types of pearls for inlay work. There are over 150 pearl shades in various shapes and sizes. All this makes it possible to create exclusive and exquisite pearl necklaces for women and men.
Natural pearls and cultured pearls – what is the difference?
Pearls form in the shell of a mollusk. When a grain of sand or other irritant enters it, the shell forms layers of nacre around it. This is how natural or wild pearls are formed. They are most commonly found in designer and vintage collections.
Cultured pearls are the same natural material. But they are created under specially created conditions. For this purpose, a substance is introduced into the mollusk shell that triggers the process of pearl formation.
Pearls are cultivated in sea and freshwater. There are several precious types of sea pearls, including Tahitian pearls, Akoya pearls, and South Sea pearls.
Tahitian pearls are unique in their coloring and stand out for their unusual blue, green, and gray tones with shimmering colors. The size of 8 to 16 mm allows for the creation of large necklaces that can be worn as standalone jewelry without any other accessories.
Akoya, first cultivated 100 years ago, is named after the Akoya oyster from which it is obtained. Pearls are valuable and expensive because the delicate Akoya oysters die as soon as they are removed from the shell. It takes a long time and work to extract the material for jewelry.
South Sea pearls are characterized by their large diameter, which ranges between 9 and 20 mm, obtained from the largest oyster, Pinctada maxima. The color palette ranges from cool blue to warm gold. Pearls come in many different shapes: drop-shaped, flattened, baroque, and with grooves on the edges. Thanks to the variety of colors and shapes, it is easy to choose the right pearl necklace for the wedding that matches the dress’s color or the business or evening look.
Next to wild and cultured pearls, there are also cultured pearls. These are imitations of natural materials used in the production of costume jewelry. Materials used include plastic, porcelain, alabaster, pressed mother-of-pearl, and even hardened gelatin.
Pearls without mother-of-pearl – the rarest and most unusual
Classic mother-of-pearl pearls are widespread and often found in jewelry collections. However, those who prefer exclusive necklaces made of genuine pearls should consider pearls without mother-of-pearl. Several types of pearls are formed without mother-of-pearl and resemble small colored stones: Cong, Melo Melo, and Quahog.
Cong – pearls of this type are formed in the wild in shellfish shells. They live in the depths of the Caribbean Sea and are very rare. They are not cultured, as the mollusk dies after opening. When forming a pearl, it does not secrete mother-of-pearl, and the finished material looks like a pink pebble.
Melo Melo – again, there is no mother-of-pearl in the structure of the pearl as it is produced not by a mollusk but by the sea snail Melo Melo. It lives in the clay area of tropical waters and is extremely rare. Accessories made from Melo Melo pearls are characterized by their warm honey and chocolate brown hues.
Quahog is another rare type of pearl found only in one case out of 100,000. The range includes various shades, but purple and violet are the most valuable. In finished jewelry, they shimmer in semi-tones and create an interesting play of light. Jewelry with Quahog pearls can only be found in antique collections.
Runway trends: Which pearl necklaces are recommended by Chanel, Dior, and Tiffany?
Looking at the legendary and iconic jewelry brands of the world, it is easy to recognize trends in appearance. At the top are originality and freedom of choice.
For example, the PLUME DE CHANEL jewelry piece is a combination of Mademoiselle Chanel’s legendary feather, which she used in her first jewelry collection and round mother-of-pearl pearls. A necklace with a single pearl is a versatile solution under a strict, masculine jacket, a delicate silk dress, or a cozy sweatshirt.
A DIOR ACADEMY necklace and tie are no less striking in a women’s look. The pearl necklace with a pendant can be worn separately from the classic black tie. But how daring and attractive does this combination look with a solid-color shirt and culottes? Such a pearl necklace is also appropriate in an evening look under a deep neckline jacket dress.
A multi-layered pearl necklace is always relevant in a women’s look. Tiffany offers such a model in its Ziegfeld collection. It can be worn as a necklace or as a short, multi-wrapped neckpiece. And to make the accessory even more personal, a pendant with a name or initial can be attached to one of the layers, which is made to order. A pearl necklace with an initial is a current choice for men and women.
There are also many other interesting pearl jewelry designs for men. Accessories include a pearl combination with chain, pearl strands, and a necklace with large, colorful pendants. Men’s pearl necklaces are one of the latest trends presented by Anwar Hadid, Harry Styles, A$AP Rocky, and of course, models from the Japanese jewelry brand Mikimoto.
What Brands of Necklaces with Pearls are popular in the USA in 2025?
What types of Necklaces with Pearls are in in style in the USA in 2025?
What is a price range for Necklaces with Pearls in the USA
Necklaces with Pearls prices in the USA now range from 78 to 537 USD.
What Necklaces with Pearls are trending in the USA now: