Pearls Predominate And Are One Of The Three Birthstones Of June

Pearls are present in every incarnation in modern designer’s collections and have been witnessing a revival for several years in elegant, sophisticated, playful and edgy styles. 19th into mid-twentieth-century pearls are being worn by everyone from celebrities on the red carpet to antique and vintage enthusiasts. Although pearls have been trending for some time, it was the 2023 MET Gala, which honored Karl Lagerfeld and the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute’s body of his work which featured a strong showing of A-listers riffing on Lagerfeld’s role as a designer, particularly his years at Chanel, turning up in glorious gowns and pearls in every size, shape and configuration. This heralded pearls return as the direction in jewelry to watch one that would only evolve further.

Additionally, pearls are also one of June’s three birthstones, along with moonstone and Alexandrite. They have a rich history that dates back for centuries and have been written about in great literature and painted by some of the most famous artists throughout time.

Before the creation of cultured pearls in the early 20th century, natural pearls were the most valuable of all gems, worn only by the nobility and the very wealthy, set into crowns and sewn on clothes. Today, the prices of rare pieces of natural pearl jewelry match those for diamonds, rubies and sapphires. Unlike these other gems, which were formed underground, pearls are considered gems but not stones – they are organic, and form within various species of freshwater and saltwater mollusks.

Then in the 1920s, Mikimoto Kōkichi, the son of a noodle shop owner, was producing commercially viable harvests of cultured pearls, launching an industry that allowed a wider audience of women to wear perfectly matched strands of pearls.

However, today anything goes: mismatched baroque pearls for earrings, Akoya, South Sea, Tahitian, freshwater and cultured pearls. Whether uber modern and edgy, minimal and sleek, feminine and romantic or inspired by a mix of periods, this luminous birthstone is part of our culture, in a range of price points and ultimately the timeless and enduring go-t0 jewel of generations before and generations to come.

Compiled below antique, vintage and modern pearl jewelry for June babies and anyone who desires their version of this jewelry staple.

Gigi Hadid in Lagos pearl and diamond jewelry at the 2023 MET Gala.

Lizzie Mandler 18K gold Éclat compass settings with diamonds and a baroque pearl drop.

SelimMouzannar’a 18K rose gold pearl and rose-cut diamond Beirut bracelet.

Jade Ruzzo’s 18K yellow gold Vic ring with pearls.

Marlo Laz 14K yellow gold and pink pearl Squash Blossom Bead Collar.

Emily Blunt in Piaget pearl and diamond earrings and rings at the 2023 Met Gala.

A La Vieille Russie antique bracelet featuring alternating rows of natural pearls and brilliant-cut diamonds in square platinum mounts, connected by a diamond and pearl bow clasp. American, ca. 1920.

Natasha Schweitzer’s 18K yellow gold Arwen baroque pearl earrings with pear-shaped diamonds.

Fred Leighton’s Edwardian pearl and diamond cluster ring featuring a button pearl set in the center of a double halo set with old mine diamonds, mounted in platinum-topped yellow gold. Circa 1900.

Reza’s 18K white gold, pearl, and diamond Colla earrings.

Kerry Washington at the 2023 MET Gala in a Mikimoto pearl choker.

Lang Antique’s Edwardian era seed pearl choker with three plaques adorned with flower basket motifs, crafted in platinum over 18K gold set with tiny rose-cut diamonds. (Likely of British origin), circa 1900-1920.

Kentshire’s 18K gold and platinum Edwardian brooch in the form of a pearl-studded horseshoe pierced by a pavé diamond spike, with pendant loop. Circa 1905

Lene Vibe’s 18K whimsical baroque South Sea pearl with flowers and winged creature.

Ashley Graham in Mikimoto mismatched pearl and diamond earrings.

EÉRA’s 18K yellow gold single hoop earring with Pearl and diamond accent

Gwen Barba’s brooch of mixed metal 10K gold and sterling in the shape of a silver sprig of budding blossoms and branches with Akoya pearl centers and featuring a gently dangling branch.

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Estate Diamond Jewelry’s rare pair of 18K gold Van Cleef and Arpels earrings featuring two cultured pearls with high luster. The cultured pearls are set in shell motif. Circa 1960s, France.

Mizuki’s Prive Collection South Sea pearl solitaire on 18K gold and diamond necklace.

Anahitia’s pearl and pink tourmaline ring.

Jenna Blake’s 18K yellow gold, pearl, sapphire, and aquamarine drop earrings.