Pearls

[SomeonesRealName]

I’m helping a friend buy a gift for his partner and he is thinking of getting a string of pearls. He’s seen some lovely ones - but I said let me check with mumsnet whether women in their mid 30s are wearing strings of pearls these days. Is it just me who associates them with our mums’ generation? Thanks Mumsnet style experts!

Our grandmothers' generation, more like!

Chanel ones never go out of fashion do they? Look on their website for inspiration. Karren Brady wears Chanel pearls. Personally I think it’s better to ask the recipient rather than guess if he’s spending a lot of money.

I wear pearls! It’s a matter of personal taste isn’t it.

I love wearing pearls! DH got me a beautiful string a couple of years ago. I don’t wear them often but sometimes there’s nothing better.

I‘d say Chanel is a quite a bit out of budget. I agree that devastatingly expensive pearls would be a safer bet though!!

I suppose it is - as he doesn’t want to ask her I was favouring things that were similar to items she already has. Pearls is a bit of a wild card I think.

I have a black pearl necklace which I love .. I am older though but so many people at work have commented on how nice it is . We are a 'young office' most in their 30s - pretty much except me!!

a matter of personal taste I mean

I think he Sur be really sure she loves pearls before he splashes out, I'd loathe a pearl necklace.

Oh I’m liking the black pearls!

Should be

Amelia that’s where I am as well I think it’s a bit risky as there’s a fair chance she won’t like them.

someone they are great..and seem to change colour from black, pink, green and gold depending on the light and what I am wearing ..

I wear them lots ..

Thanks everyone that was really useful - you gotta love mumsnet!

I think coloured pearls look more modern than white pearls. I have a long string of black pearls and a long string of multi coloured pink, purples and peaches. I also think that the longer length is more trendy, and you can buy necklaces where the pearls are not round but different shaped such as baroque or akeshi pearls, these also look more modern. The classic white collar length pearl necklace is classy but some may see it as a bit old fashioned. It is nice for formal outfits though.

I'm the same age bracket and quite a classic dresser but I'd say to proceed with caution. Chanel pearls are cool but they aren't actually real pearls and dead expensive for fashion jewellery. When it comes to fine jewellery, I'd probably wouldn't go with a classic string of pearls as that's really grown up.

I think sth like these might be less granny:
www.mappinandwebb.com/Gossamer-18ct-White-Gold-6mm-Freshwater-Pearl-18-dblquote.-Necklace/p/14470074/

Or this one - expensive but looks like something that a relatively young woman might wear:
www.mikimoto.co.uk/pearl-category/necklaces/flower-lace-necklace.html

Thanks JoJo the second one is out of budget but the first could be a contender!

1843 magazine has a whole feature on pearls this month.

I have a strong of primark "pearls" that I wear quite a bit...

Well I’m early 30’s and I absolutely loved getting pearls for Christmas!
They’re Akoya pearls and they came from Blue Nile

I love pearls and I’m in my 30s.

I've got some (40s) and they are lovely but I rarely wear them. Would love some black ones though. And tbh if dp bought me 'proper' pearls I'd wear them anyway, even if not quite to my taste.

I have a collar length string of baroque freshwater pearls in a grey colour that have been much admired by friends and acquaintances of all ages. They suit me, I like them (self-gifted) but I only wear them when I don't have earrings on; the combination is ageing.

I'm in my thirties and I'd only wear big chunky pearls, almost architectural. With Cos or something sleek and an interesting cut.

Like these.

I’m 29 and wear pearls but in metallic settings rather than as a string.
Things like these www.tiffany.co.uk/jewelry/pearl-jewelry/elsa-peretti/sort-relevance

I've got some black pearl earrings. My brother was surfing in Indonesia and watched a kid diving down to get them. He swapped his surfboard for them. Brought them back home, had some earrings made with them for his girlfriend, split up with her before Christmas and ended up giving them to me. I love them. Beat that story!