Classic beauty. Natalie, of Donna Baldwin Talent, models ViBes' South Sea Baroque pearl necklace with 18K yellow gold links and a diamond accent drilled into the pearls, $15,300 (Item# 9052), and South Sea Baroque pearl earrings with 18K gold flower posts $3,500 (Item 9050). Both available at Oster Jewelers, Cherry Creek North.
By Lesley Kennedy
Photos by Joe Mahoney
When you think of jewelry that’s classic, elegant, beautiful and timeless, it’s difficult not to imagine a perfect strand of pearls.
From Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots to Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. From Sarah Jessica Parker and Angelina Jolie to Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Michelle Obama, Jacqueline Kennedy, Princess Grace, Hillary Clinton, Princess Diana. The list goes on and on. For centuries, pearls have captured the hearts of women everywhere.
Part of their charm is that pearls are at once glamorous and simple. They can be bold or subdued. They look equally appropriate on the young and the old. They may, in fact, be the perfect accessory.
In his fascinating book, “Tears of Mermaids: The Secret Story of Pearls,” author Stephen G. Bloom travels 30,000 miles over a four year span examining the global pearl trade, in an attempt to trace a single pearl — from the time a diver finds it off the coast of Australia to the moment a woman wears it.
“I chose pearls because of my mother, who on special occasions used to wear a single pearl strand,” Bloom says in a Q&A with the book’s publisher. (Read an extended interview with Bloom here.) “As a little boy, I was mesmerized by what I thought were mysterious white marbles on a string. They had magical powers. Today, decades later, I get goose bumps when I see a beautiful strand. I love pearls. I wanted to track their journey — from diver’s hand to woman’s bosom.”
Pearls are full of paradoxes, Bloom says.
“They resonate with a host of mixed, contradictory messages: innocence and power; simplicity and sophistication; youth and wisdom; integrity and drama; humility and conceit; tradition and haute couture; chastity and sexuality; modesty and wealth,” he says. “What other single fashion item can do all that?”
After reading “Tears of Mermaids,” we’re feeling those magical powers, as well. Here’s a look at some amazing pearl pieces from Denver’s Oster Jewelers.
As an unknown author once said: “The pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of queens.” May its reign live on and on.
Casual elegance. Utopia's Tahitian pearl and black diamond bracelet, $23,500 (Item 6081), is paried with Aontonini's Tahitian pearl ring in 18k white gold and white diamonds, $3,150, and ViBes' Tahitian pearl dangle earrings with gray diamonds and 18K gold (Item 9053). All at Oster Jewelers. Photo by Joe Mahoney/Denveralamode.com
Color story. Aquamarine stones add color to Utopia's South Sea pearls. At Oster Jewelers. Photo by Joe Mahoney/Denveralamode.com
Simple, stunning. Utopia's South Sea 18K gold wave pearl earrings with diamonds, $12,450 (Item 6391), are modern classics. Photo by Joe Mahoney/Denveralamode.com
Make a statement. Martin Bernstein's South Sea pearl necklace with multiple gold chains and South Sea pearl earrings, $,1780 (Item 8997), look beautiful for evening or day. Photo by Joe Mahoney/Denveralamode.com
Special thanks: Oster Jewelers, 251 Steele St., Denver, Colo., 80206; 303-572-1111; hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Model: Natalie, Donna Baldwin Talent
Hair and makeup: Katelyn Simkins
Logistics: Evan Semon
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Beautiful photos and article Leslie & Joe. Thank you for inviting us to participate!
Melissa Oster