Oval Cultured Pearl Drop Earrings

The Cultured Pearl: Luster from Nacre

A cultured pearl is an organic gem made of nacre, grown inside a mussel. Nacre consists of aragonite, a crystal form of calcium carbonate, and the protein conchiolin. Thousands of ultra-thin layers lie on top of each other. The glow that appears when they refract and reflect light is called luster. For these pearl drop earrings, I use slightly larger, elongated cultured freshwater pearls than for the necklace and bracelet, so their luster really shows when you wear them. Every pearl has grown in its own way, so the two pearls in a pair are similar but never exactly the same.

Material and Craftsmanship

For your earrings, you can choose between 925 sterling silver and 14K gold-filled. With 14K gold-filled, the core metal is surrounded by a thick layer of real gold that keeps its warm tone for a long time, while simple gold plating is only wafer-thin. I thread each pearl onto a headpin and wrap its end by hand into a loop. With this loop, it hangs from an ear hook decorated with a small spiral. That way, the pearl swings freely and catches the light with every movement, every time you turn your head or laugh. For each pair, I choose two pearls that match well in size and shimmer. The earrings always come to you as a pair.

Meaning of the Pearl

Pearls are among the oldest gems of all. By tradition, they are a symbol of purity, wisdom, and loyalty, and in many families pearl earrings are passed down from one generation to the next. Because the pearl is a birthstone for June, pearl drop earrings make an especially personal gift that lasts.

Caring for Your Pearl Earrings

The ear hooks are water-resistant, but the pearls are not. Chlorine, salt water, shampoo, hairspray, and perfume attack the nacre. So take the earrings out before you shower, swim, or work out, and put them in only after your hairspray and perfume have dried. Then the pearls keep their glow.

After each wear, dab the pearls clean with a damp cloth and let them dry undisturbed. For nacre, ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaners are off-limits, and so is high heat. Store the earrings dry and apart from harder jewelry, ideally on their own in a soft pouch. That way, the surface of the pearls stays smooth and undamaged.