Pearl Design & Inspiration Guide
Family pearls, rarely worn but too precious to part with, can be transformed into contemporary pieces that feel like you.
Many of us have family pearls sitting in our jewelry boxes. When I got married, I was gifted a beautiful string of pearls that belonged to my Japanese grandmother, Hisa.
Have I ever worn them?
No, not even once.
I imagine I am not the only one with family pearls sitting in a jewelry box, rarely if ever worn, but imbued with sentiment and too precious to part with. However, traditionally set pearls and strands can be incorporated or transformed into beautifully contemporary and unique pieces.
We have a wide range of ideas at various price points. We can restring and add a beautiful clasp, or use an unusual color thread. We can add other pearls and complimenting beads, or handmade chain to make a beautiful layering piece for your collection.
If you have family pearls you’d like to design with, look at our Pearl Design Guide below and make a custom appointment.
Pearl Design Guide
Four starting points, from a simple restring to a fully custom piece. Much will depend on the pearls you begin with.
Starting at $450
- Restringing pearls and adding a silver or bronze clasp
- Adding gold ear wire or bails to your existing pearls
Pearls should ideally be strung with knots between each pearl; we recommend restringing when there is movement from wear. Consider colored silk — something unexpected like hot pink or a medium grey can liven up your pearls — and a contemporary clasp in bronze or silver.
Starting at $1,000
- Adding a gold clasp
- Adding other stones, pearls, or bronze/silver beads
- Gold cable chain or handmade silver chain to lengthen your pearls
- Custom earring setting in silver or possibly 14k gold
- Custom ring setting in silver, with or without gold accents
A setting in 14k/18k gold starts at $2,000.
Starting at $3,000
- Higher-end stones and pearls with gold components
- Handmade gold chain to lengthen your pearls
- Custom ring setting in gold or platinum
- Custom earring setting in gold
- Custom gold bead with diamond
Pearls are an excellent choice for layering, especially worn longer to feel less formal. A handmade chain, gold beads, caps, or custom elements can give them a completely new look.
Starting at $5,000
Pearl quality can vary greatly — shape, size, luster, and color all determine value. We can source high-quality pearls or other stone beads to add to yours, with or without gold components.
We can also design a fully custom piece with our team or one of our artists.
Feel free to be inspired
These examples are only some of endless ideas that can be translated at different price points. Much will depend on the actual pearls you are starting with.
Let us help make your jewelry feel more like you. We believe in expressing individuality and helping you find your creative vision.
Are your pearls real?
Are they valuable?
Our pearl appraiser offers complimentary verbal appraisals of your pearls — stop by the gallery or make an appointment.
We also offer written appraisals for your pearls and heirloom jewelry and stones.
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