hen I recently reread a blog I wrote here several years ago, called “The New Cool of Pearls,” I was immediately struck by the realization that today’s trending pearl jewelry isn’t what I was referring to back in July ’13. Back then, when fashion had really just begun to adopt pearl jewelry into its wardrobes, cool pearl pieces were much about baroque shapes, different pearl colors, and June’s birthstone set in alternative metals.

Isn’t that still the case? Sure, but, more important, is that now pearl jewelry has been integrated into every on-trend jewelry classification. Make no mistake,it’s the pearl’s entrance into all categories that’s made the difference—integral to what’s making it unmistakably modern: two-stone rings, Y-necklaces, elongated pendants, bar necklaces, skinny open-ended stack bangles, beads and Eastern inspired designs, fringe motifs, negative space designs–and, of course, ear climbers, cuffs, and front-backs. Today, more pearl jewelry, too, is accented with black and brown diamonds—yes, in the same way that diamond, gemstone, and all-gold or platinum jewelry is.  

Truly, though, I shouldn’t have been surprised that the current definition of trendy pearl jewelry is quite different than a few years ago. After all, hasn’t almost everything made that kind of leap? And, look, we have had a front-row seat to the transition, haven’t we?

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