Pearls

[margaritasbythesea]

Twenty years ago my mother bought be a long string of pearls to mark a special achievement. I appreciated the gesture now and still do- It´s a classic piece of jewellery. They were quite - about four or five hundred pounds back then.

The problem is I have only ever worn them twice. I old fashioned and self'conscious in them. There are enough to wrap around to get a double collar and I prefer this. They are very beautiful and I wouldn´t want to sell them really. It just seems a pity to have them sitting in a box.

What do you think of pearls and what should I do with them? Keep them as an heirloom because it was a very special present? Have them made into a collar with a pretty clasp and potentially still not wear them? Or just find a way of wearing them that looks good?

What do you think of pearls?

I love pearls but like all jewellery it's down to personal taste.

If you don't like them as they are you could have them made into something else. Earrings, bracelet, chocker?

I love them. Always have, always will. They were v fashionable in the 80s and probably due a come back. I'd hang onto them.

Definitely have them restrung into a style you like and want to wear.

Get them valued for insurance whilst they're being redone.

Pearls need to be restrung periodically anyhow, so they can always be changed back if you change your mind, or altered by the next heirloom owner.

Thanks. i will think about having them restrung.

I think perhaps i just lead such an informal life that I don´t have occasion to wear them much.

Auntie Stella - I didn´t know that they needed to be restrung anyway. Perhaps they need doing anyway.

ChoudeBruxelles and Ohthe Roses - do you have any pictures of soutfits or styles of wearing them that you particularly like? I am in need of inspiration.

I also wear pearls a lot, I consider them a neutral so when I don't want to think about which jewellery to wear I just put pearls on.

I often wear a double strand collar with rolled up jeans and a vest top or slouchy jumper. I think life is too short to keep jewellery for best and not get wear out of it

Pearls are my favourite. Classy, understated but also quite trendy when worn in certain ways. Find different ways to wear and enjoy them x

I wear pearls. I like to wear them with a summery dress and I wear them with a crew neck jumper and jeans in the winter. I like them with a really nice tailored white/light coloured shirt (with a blazer/jacket or waistcoat/tank top ) and jeans too.

I love mine. Theyre too nice to keep for best. If you do keep them for best maybe consider having something very special made out of them (add gem stones or gold links perhaps) to pass down the generations for weddings/christenings etc.

I'd have them restrung but in a station style, also known as a Tin Cup style. It's modern. You'd have a lot left over though. Definitely enough for a bracelet too, maybe even a double strand bracelet which always looks gorgeous.

I love them and recently bought myself a pearl ring that makes me smile every time I look at it, however someone once told me that she never understood why brides wear pearls as they signify tears. Whether this is the true or not I have no idea, but I've always remembered her saying that.

I have a single strand that was my grandmother's - not sure it's short enough to be a collar but it sits round the base of my neck rather than dangling down, iyswim.

I wear it quite a lot with summer dresses and wide-necked tops but never with a shirt collar as makes me look headmistressy.

Definitely get them restrung into a length you would wear.

You should wear pearls next to your skin as much as possible as the oils in skin will help keep the lustre, and don't get hairspray on them.

I would change them into a bracelet and a shorter necklace.

I love pearls and have a beautiful set of necklace 16in (cream and light pink mix) and two pairs of studs (a pair of cream and a pair of light pink) from my late grandparents. I wear them a lot.

Pearls never go out of fashion, they may be different styles per era but a simple set are classic.

Have them restrung Op, to a length that you would wear.

Make sure that they never get damp, or have perfume on them and they will last generations.

I am in the same position ,I was given gorgeous freshwater pearls but in a long string. I'm going to enquire about getting them restrung into a bracelet and drop earrings.

I love pearls too but would feel old fashioned wearing a pearl necklace I think. I have a beautiful pair of pearl earrings I was given as a gift and also a pearl bracelet a bit like this which also has my children's names on it which I love, these do not make me feel old fashioned.

I would agree that you should have them made into something you feel more comfortable wearing.

What about having them turned into a cuff? I think a pearl cuff can look gorgeous.

I'd have them restrung and wear them. I love pearls too! Then pass him on as an heirloom for the next generation to make their own too.

Another one who loves them, I wear pearl earrings every day and a necklace is 'on' my list. I don't tend to wear costume jewellery so go for good quality timeless items.

Try getting them done in a more everyday/ modern style like hand knotted. Wear them and enjoy a lovely gift and memory.

Thanks for all the ideas of how to restring or wear them. I will check them out. More than that, thanks for the pearl positivity. I was beginning to think they were just not wearable. Last time I wore them it was for work with a formal dress. I did feel old fashioned. I have also worn them - the one other time - with jumper, jeans and heels. I will try and resurrect that.

Agree with others that pearl jewellery looks best when it's worn in unexpected ways, like with a scruffy old jumper and jeans or a denim shirt.

Thanks for this thread - you've inspired me to get me pearls out!

I love pearls, the colour is so flattering to my skintone. I have 2 pairs of gorgeous pearl studs which I alternate the wear of and wear them every day. Also have a short necklace but it is a smidge too long for me, ideally it should sit, slightly loose at the base of my neck but it is just slightly too long and isn't my most flattering length. Consequently, it never gets worn. It's a shame because it is beautiful. I might get it shortened/restrung.

I wouldn't wear the earrings and necklace together though. I wear diamond or plainer studs if I'm wearing the necklace.

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Wear pearls with casual street wear...

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