Pearl Trends in the Spotlight

I'm so happy everyone else has finally figured out what you and I have known all along! 

Pearls ~ They got it goin' on!

Pearl's popularity and revitalization up-tick started a few years back and has been steadily climbing.

 

The recent jewelry shows solidified Pearls as one of the hottest trends happening right now. 

  

Proof that Pearls have got it goin' on

trend-wise is evident all over the internet. 

Just take a look at Pinterest 

and Instagram for starters.

Pearls on Trend: 

Here's a few things that are hot and happening in the pearl-world right now. 

According to a survey in 

National Jeweler Magazine, 

Here's How Consumers Feel About Cultured Pearl Jewelry

It's exciting how men are embracing the pearl as their gem of choice these days (Yay!!) and many consumers aged 25-35 are also sparking the pearl engagement ring trend, too!

LOVE IT!!

Check out the 2021 Benchmark Study of Consumer Preferences of Pearls released by the CPAA and MVI to see the numbers for yourself.

You just Googled, 

'men wearing pearls', 

didn't you?!  

Told ya!

I think it's cool.

Has been for a long time. 

Alice Cooper wears a pearl around his neck.

 

Want to see a really cool pic of him wearing his leather and pearl necklace while playing guitar on stage with Johnnie Depp?

 

Hop on over to Glide Magazine 

and check it out!

 

I attended Alice's Christmas Pudding 

 in Phoenix many year's back 

and he had one on.

I was in the audience 

sitting right behind his Mom. 

(That was cool!)

 

Have you ever seen Steven Tyler drenched in Tahitian pearls?

 

Google that one!

I've also seen Jon Bon Jovi 

wear a single pearl 

on leather around his neck 

while on stage, too. 

Very Hot!

I'm telling you, 

everyone looks great in pearls!

Lucky for us, 

the pearl jewelry trend 

shows no signs of slowing down. 

  

Since I'm overjoyed that pearls 

are everywhere right now, 

I thought I'd show you some cool pearl jewelry that I drooled over recently.

 

But first, before I show you the 

drool-worthy pearl loot, 

here's some tips on how you can up-cycle 

your own pearl jewelry for a fresh look.

If all you have in your jewelry box 

is a classic strand of 

Pearly Whites

Bring them up-to-date with some fun and ultra stylish chains!

'Chains and Charms'

Still a jewelry industry buzz-phrase.

Put on a few chain necklaces of different lengths that feature various pendants and your favorite pearl strand and you'll have today's hottest layered necklace look down pat! 

And, what's every pearl strand's best friend?

Why the pendant, of course!

Add a pendant (or two!) 

to your strand of pearls. 

It's a fun and easy way to pep 'em up!

Colored gemstones are shining brightly 

everywhere right now, too.

It's never out of style to mix in some 

bright colors with your pearls!

And then there's Earrings!

Long woven pearl drop earrings - MiShel Designs

Long and lean pearl-drop earrings are tickling wearer's shoulders as they tease our eyes with their beauty.

And, hoop earrings of all shapes and sizes 

adorned with pearls can be seen 

everywhere these days.

Hoops are a classic staple and hoops with pearls are beautifully showing their trendy luster.

Check out page 14 of the CPAA's August 2021 issue of #THISISPEARL

to see some really cool pearl hoop earrings.

Okay - now it's time to show you

 my latest pearl jewelry obsessions:

This beautiful necklace literally stopped me in my tracks - jaw on the ground!

Of course it's by Todd Reed!

Yep. AMAZING! 

Hop over to his Instagram page and check it out!

And Lika Behar's Kristen Cuff's are another obsession I have!

 

They're big, bold, chunky and FUN!

Check this out from her website - GORGEOUS!!

I would seriously wear this everyday! 

You should see the one in bright silver - it's an award winner!

Check out her website for more options on this cuff.

And of course, pearls and turquoise together are popping up everywhere now.

  

It's high-time everyone caught on to this super cool combo. 

 

I mean, what's not to love, right? 

Little H is one designer that's been doing this trend right for quite some time now.

I mean, just look at this!

 

Go check out all her other cool pearl jewelry, too. 

She's another fav of mine!

Drop me a note and let me know what your favorite pearl jewelry trends are right now, I'd love to hear!

You can reach me HERE.

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Pearls Baby!

Cheers,

Shel

Michelle (Shelly) Buettner is a Certified Pearl Specialist through the Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA) and she holds a Graduate Pearls Diploma from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).  In addition to creating her own jewelry line she is also a freelance copywriter for the gem and jewelry industry who can often be found fawning over pearls in her spare time. Follow Shel’s jewelry blog at MiShelDesigns.net or her copy blog at ShellyBuettner.com. See what she’s snapping over on Instagram @pearlgeek or connect with her over on LinkedIn

Pearls ~ Today's Hottest Jewelry Trend

AH, PEARLS!

Since pearls are my favorite gem, I'm loving the fact that they're showing up everywhere these days!

What more could a pearl-girl ask for, right?! 

I love how jewelry connects us to people, 

places, or certain times in our lives.

Meaningful jewelry is one of the phrases that echoed through the halls at the jewelry shows in Vegas recently, too. 

The Colosseum in Rome 

has this beautiful cross, 

which was challenging to photograph 

from where I was able to stand, 

but the ancient, rustic ruins inspired me 

back in 2012 & 2013 to 

create pearl jewelry that 

reminded me of my time in Italy.

Quite often, when I see pearls 

~ especially large, beautiful, baroque ones ~ 

I think of Ancient Empires

 and the important role pearls have played in our history. 

I believe this is why I like seeing pearls 

used in interesting, some-what rustic looking ways. 

I love seeing pearls mixed with textured metals

 or mingled amidst ancient coins, crosses, and other relics.

A couple of pearl trends that are hot right now are hoop earrings.

Hoops Are Trending - Big Time!

Personally I think Hoops, just like Pearls, 

are ALWAYS on trend. 

 

But then again, I can be seen wearing 

the same simple pair of sterling silver hoops daily. 

For years...and years.

Hey, when something works, you stick with it, right?

Another hot trend in pearls is

Baroque Pearl Shapes

Jewelry featuring baroque shaped pearls is one trend that's growing in popularity with no signs of slowing down soon.  (Yay!!)

I feel they're some of the most interesting and beautiful pearls around!

So tell me, 

What's your favorite type of pearl?

Your favorite piece of pearl jewelry?

Do you see yourself wearing any of today's 

hottest pearl trends?

If so, which ones?

Let me know in the comments below or hop on over to Instagram and let me know. 

I hope you've enjoyed our little Pearl-Time.

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Pearls, Baby!!

Cheers,

Shel 

For your further Pearl enjoyment,

I've included a few links to some fabulous resources such as:

GIA

CPAA

Pearl-Guide.com

This is Pearl - June 2022 Issue

(This writer/jewelry designer is on page 38!)

~ ENJOY ~ 

Michelle Ludlam-Buettner (Shel) is a Certified Pearl Specialist through the Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA) and she holds a Graduate Pearls Diploma from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). In addition to creating her own jewelry line, she is also a freelance copywriter specializing in the gem and jewelry industry who can often be found fawning over pearls in her spare time.  Follow Shel’s blog at MiShelDesigns.net and ShellyBuettner.com or see what she’s snapping over on Instagram @pearlgeek.

Let’s Talk Earring Wires,…Shall We?

The unsung heroes of earrings, ear-wires are what most people think of as ‘just hardware’ for their beautiful earrings.  Alas,…they are not.  At least not in my opinion. And, once you read this article and start noticing earring wires, you might change your mind and quite possibly your ‘ear-wire’ opinion (or form your own).

For starters, although I prefer to start with a positive instead of a negative comment, I’m going to share with you my dislike of ‘store-bought’ (i.e. traditional/manufactured) earring wires. 

(Manufactured Earring Wires - Compliments of Pinterest)

They are, to me, the bane of practically all earrings; distracting from the most beautiful designs and, for lack of a better term, ‘trashing’ them.    

(Oohhh,….I’m feeling the flack from this sentence already!)

Have you ever seen a pair of the most beautiful earrings with your favorite gemstone or the most unique and intriguing design that stopped you in your tracks only to see them hanging from a pair of sterile, manufactured, cheap-looking earring wires, thus mucking up their astonishing beauty?

Admit it.  You've noticed.   

They distract from the designer’s beautiful work of art which takes hours of intricate work, skill and education. Not to mention patience – some of these beauties take days or weeks to create, start to finish!   And, if you’re the kind who notices, they completely take away from the overall beauty of the finished piece of jewelry.

It’s as if you’re viewing this gorgeous painting in the Louvre and then you happen to notice the frame and it’s some slick, manufactured looking, no character square piece of #*@!$ engulfing this fine work of art.  

Yes, I probably should have used my inside voice there, but seriously folks,….I’m calling ‘foul’!!

Here’s a solution:  

If you’re a jewelry designer, create your own.  

I’d wager to bet that if you are capable of creating beautiful works of jewelry art, a simple earring wire design is going to be a breeze for you.  

Or, if you feel you don’t have the time for this, as time is money and the most efficient way of doing things saves money, purchase some well-crafted, quality, hand-made ear wires from another designer or someone who does this on a regular basis (No, I no longer do this).  

Another thought is to make a few different ear-wire designs on your own, consistent with your style of jewelry / earrings and have them cast in bulk, thus ensuring the same outcome time after time.  
They're bound to become a ‘signature’ piece in your designs, just as your clasps or your logo tags may have become and will help set your designs apart from others’ and make your jewelry distinguishable.

Having clients who mentioned how they prefer my simple ear wire designs over ‘store-bought’ ones; sayingthey add a touch of class to the design and feel stronger and of better quality, makes me feel I am delivering the best over all product and design to my customers.

 I’m quite curious to know how many people really do notice the ear-wires of earrings.

Whether you’re someone who loves wearing earrings, a seasoned jewelry designer, or a retail or boutique establishment, please jump in and leave a comment below telling me what you think.  

Who knows,…maybe it’s just me.

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love, Pearls and “Great Earring-Wires”, Baby!!

Cheers,

~Shel~

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Michelle Ludlam-Buettner (Shel) holds a Graduate Pearls Diploma from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and is a Certified Pearl Specialist through the Cultured Pearl Association of American (CPAA).  In addition to creating her own jewelry line, she is also a freelance e-commerce copywriter specializing in the jewelry and travel industries who can often be found fawning over pearls in her spare time.  Follow Shel’s blog at MiShelDesigns.net or see what she’s snapping over on Instagram @pearlgeek. 

Questions and inquiries welcome at Shel@MiShelDesigns.net

Wholesale Inquiries please list "wholesale" in the subject line.