Pearls have always been attractive to me because they are symbols of timeless elegance. I know that sounds cliché as hell, but it’s true! Some of the most iconic fashion moments ever have included pearls, past and present, and will likely continue to quietly and demurely rule the world of natural gemstones.
If you’ve ever fallen in love with the idea of a string of pearls, you may also have discovered that they don’t come cheap. Much like other precious organic objects, pearls are difficult to acquire and the more rare the pearl, the more unlikely it is that an average human can afford to buy it.
I’ve never owned actual pearls before, so when The Pearl Source asked me if I’d like to review a set, I was kind of torn. It’s definitely my policy to not review things that exceed what I would be able to afford. Pearls – one of the most beautiful and coveted precious “gems” of the Earth – are definitely not what I think of when I think about being broke.
I looked at The Pearl Source and organized by price, which is my typical go-to when trying to figure out if a shop is worth looking at. If the cheapest item in the store is over $200, it’s probably not a place I will find myself shopping often. The Pearl Source surprised me by having actually a huge selection of pearl jewelry under $200 – and plenty under $100, as well!
I chose a necklace with a baroque Tahitian Black Pearl on a sterling silver cord which was $99.
My favorite pearls are the Tahitian pearls, or black pearls, and it has nothing to do with the movies or myth. A baroque pearl is a natural pearl that has acquired a teardrop shape in its creation. It’s tapered at one end, and rounded on the other. Affordable black pearls are not something I thought that I could have until this little project. I can get a freshwater pearl pendant necklace for $99, or a pair of extremely classic white Akoya pearl studs for $59 – or the supernatural Akoya black pearls for the same price. I call it a win-win-win-win. Win.
When it arrived, I was instantly hypnotized by the color. So many stormy hues all mixed together to make kind of an indescribable metallic. I loved how it was both warm and cool at once, and on the day that I took these pictures, the looming grey skies were casting a violet-tinted light – my white wall almost mirrored the color of the pearl.
It was eerie. But awesome.
I love them for their never-to-be-duplicated shape and their multi-tonal color spectrum which includes shades of green, yellow, pink, purple, and gray – all with a dark silver chrome finish.
Pearls have never needed much gussying, if you ask me. This necklace is so basic and timeless that it looks good with just about anything – even a braid and a ribbed, white tank. This is what I look like when I’m at home, this is how I’ve looked for three weeks, and this is as paired down as it gets – but this necklace makes it feel glamorous, at least to me.
But a little bit of bright orange lipstick never fails to warm up a chilled out look.
This, and all of the pearls from The Pearl Source, are imported straight from the French Polynesian islands (aka where Tahiti is) and are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
I was compensated for this post by The Pearl Source obviously but all opinions are my own. View our Disclosure.