Pearls Vs. Emeralds: Which Of This Season’s Stones Will You Choose?
Pearls and emeralds are uniquely distinct and wildly different in character, but which is your favorite? Here, two industry tastemakers cast their votes…
Valeria Johnson
“Emeralds are the world’s rarest gemstone (20 times rarer than diamonds) and they have also been the top choice of royalty throughout history, often selected for crowns and regalia; they were even Cleopatra’s favorite. Emeralds are symbolic of love, wisdom and rebirth, believed to possess potent spiritual, healing and protective properties. They are the gemstone I am most drawn to, from very pale hues to deep, saturated greens – and the most prized possessions in my jewelry box.
“When I wear any of my emerald jewelry, it instantly elevates my confidence and gives a boost to my serotonin levels. My jewelry receives more compliments when I wear emeralds, too. Gone are the days when emeralds felt unattainable and ‘stuffy’. Now, you can find emeralds in cool and classic designs, with varying price points and beautiful quality. My go-to is an emerald bead necklace that is easily layered and mixed with a variety of other gems and jewels – it’s a casual, daily staple of my jewelry wardrobe. I love mixing smooth emerald beads with layers of gold chains, pink- and blue-hued gems, or lustrous pearls.
“For me, emerald green serves as a neutral hue that works well with pretty much any color of gemstone. Depending on the size of stone, you can let an emerald be the major focus of your wrist stack or neck mess, or let it mingle with other gems for an eclectic mix.” @lelaleagems
“Ultimately, the joy of wearing jewelry should override any rules – and pearls can be worn alone or layered up. You simply can’t go wrong
”Geraldine Hu
Geraldine Hu
“I consider pearls to be the most versatile gem. Their soft luster is flattering on all skin tones: striking when worn alone, but also beautiful when layered with jewels of any color. The constant reinvention of pearl jewelry has also broadened its appeal to all ages and genders, far beyond the ‘pearls are for your granny’ stereotype of years gone by.
“My love of pearls grew from a simple, classy strand of ultra-long graduated pearls that I bought from Gump’s in San Francisco, and now encompasses edgier, modern designs – there are lots of bold, progressive interpretations of pearls that redefine the gem’s allure and range of possibilities. I love that pearls now come in a spectrum of silhouettes and different compositions. The playful, fashion-forward necklaces of contemporary brands also reimagine the notion that pearls are worn by women only. In fact, there’s a huge trend in men adopting pearls as a punky, unconventional alternative to generic ‘masculine’ jewelry.
“The dainty, delicate lightness of seed pearls in antique necklaces is also hard to resist – and, as a gem, the way pearl jewelry has evolved over time is really like no other. I’m currently obsessed with Sophie Bille Brahe’s captivating pearl earrings, which are ultra-elegant and romantic. Ultimately, the joy of wearing jewelry should override any rules – and pearls can be worn alone or layered up. You simply can’t go wrong.” @girl.with.a.diamond.earring