Tagged with 'Treat yourself'

PEARL COLOUR, SHAPE AND SIZE

The choice of pearl colours available today, with white, gold, silver, grey, black, pink, peacock and natural multi-coloured pearls, is simply dazzling. Different pearl colours will match and reflect skin tone or colourful clothes and accessories.

Pearls can be cultured in a variety of shapes, including the classic round pearl, the informality of an oval shape or the individual complexity of a baroque pearl.

Pearl size is also an important factor. Smaller pearls with diameters up to 9 mm typically make more discreet and classical jewellery, whilst larger pearls above 9 mm will be more eye-catching and luxurious. As pearls increase in size to more than 10mm diameter, their rarity and price also increases.

THE NECKLACE LENGTH

One way to choose the length of a pearl necklace is to consider the occasion when it will be worn. In general the shorter the necklace the more formal it may appear.

A choker pearl necklace that nestles at the base of the neck is really best suited for evening wear, a long sautoir may be worn fashionably loose, knotted or long around the neck and the traditional princess length pearl necklace will sit elegantly below the collarbone for a classic and versatile look.

Read more about the different lengths in our article on pearl necklace lengths.

THE CLASP

The clasp is not typically the centrepiece of a pearl necklace, however it is an important aspect to consider when buying a pearl necklace. A difficult clasp can be awkward to take on and off.

A good clasp will be secure, robust and with a smooth finish. The lobster clasp, fish hook and spring ring clasps are most commonly used with strings of pearls. There are many more clasps available, including designer clasps with diamonds. Consider the choice of materials used such as gold, coated gold vermeil, silver and gemstones.

Read more about our experience with different necklace clasps.

IF YOU HAVE TO COMPROMISE

The price of a pearl necklace will vary from a few pounds to tens of thousands of pounds. Unless your budget is unlimited, you may need to compromise on certain qualities of the necklace.

Consider an off-round pearl shape or reduce the pearl size as a way to reduce the price of the necklace. In our experience the allure of a pearl necklace is the iridescent shine of its pearls, so we would recommend selecting pearls that have the best lustre that will match your budget.

PEARL NECKLACES AT WINTERSON

The Winterson range of pearl necklaces and long rope necklaces offers a beautiful selection of luxury jewellery that is suitable for all occasions. Our standards of quality are set high and we hand select our pearls, in particular looking for good lustre.

Discover our necklace collections here, with luxurious South Sea pearl necklaces, exotic Tahitian pearl necklaces, iconic Akoya pearl necklaces and versatile Freshwater pearl pearl necklaces.

Are you looking for some great jewellery gift ideas?

Did you know that pearl jewellery is often given to celebrate an important event or anniversary?

Pearls are the traditional birthstone for those born in June, bridal jewellery to wear on a wedding day, a thirtieth wedding anniversary gift, for Mother’s Day, graduations, Christenings, for communion bracelets, Christmas, Hanukkah and other celebrations.

Or just as a treat...

Amongst gemstones, pearls make a perfect gift choice. Pearls have a unique surface property that flatters the complexion of ladies of every age. The shining surface of pearls, which is made of nacre, reflects light and helps brightens the face. The organic touch of pearls against the skin is comfortable to wear as they will feel silky and luxurious. Pearls are symbols of elegance and beauty.

At Winterson we have assembled a selection of pearl gift ideas to help you find the perfect gift to treat a loved lady in your life on a special occasion.

Our collection of Gifts for Mothers is a selection of jewellery to celebrate Mother's Day with. From the prettiest of pink freshwater pearl earrings, to a long white pearl rope necklace or a multi-coloured freshwater pearl bracelet, the collection is filled with surprises that she can enjoy every day.

A Graduation Gift will mark an important milestone in the life of a young lady. Graduation day is an opportunity to celebrate academic achievements with family and friends. Our selection of graduation gifts features classic designs, including our white Japanese Akoya pearl necklaces and pearl stud earrings. These truly jewellery classics will complement her graduation dress for the ceremony and be a keepsake that she can enjoy for years after the special day.

All the jewellery from Winterson is presented in our elegant coral, black and ivory white packaging. The jewellery is protected in a soft travel pouch within a luxurious jewellery box that is gift wrapped and sealed with our Winterson flower.

Winterson is a luxury British jewellery brand, specialising in classic and contemporary pearl jewellery.

With a successful family heritage and expertise of working with pearls for over 50 years, we select the highest quality pearls and jewellery designs so that you can be very confident of the items that we offer. We do hope that you will always enjoy and treasure them.

Over the coming weeks and months with this Journal, we will take you on an informative and enjoyable introduction to Winterson and one of nature’s most precious possessions - the pearl.

Our love of pearls goes back for centuries. Until as recently as 200 years ago, long before the diamond and ruby became fashionable, the pearl was the world’s favourite precious gem. One of the earliest pearl necklaces found in Western Iran has been dated to 2,300 BC. Since early times, the pearl’s brilliant shine and glow has captivated cultures across the world, from China to Egypt, and from the Persian Gulf to Peru, inspiring traditions, myths and ancient legends about this wonderful gem.

The Roman emperors attempted to increase the pearl’s exclusivity and allure by banning the wearing of pearls by women under the age of 55. Fortunately, that is no longer the case today and iconic women throughout history such as Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, Coco Chanel, Jacqueline Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Diana have been famous and notable wearers of pearl jewellery.

More recently, the diversity of pearl colours and shapes available today allows designers to create truly stunning and fashionable jewellery. Today’s celebrities and leaders of fashion such as Anna Wintour, Michelle Obama, Nicole Kidman, Cheryl Cole, Dame Helen Mirren, Keira Knightley and Angelina Jolie have shown us how to look elegant with pearls.

Our online Winterson store will open in early November 2010. We look forward to welcoming you and invite you to view our Collections.