Who doesn’t love pearls? There’s something about the shimmering, lustrous organic gemstone that makes it so intriguing. Pearls have been valued and coveted for centuries, and a pearl gift is always appreciated and cherished.
Think about it. Who wouldn’t be delighted to receive pearls?
Let’s take a look at why pearls make good gifts and how to buy the perfect pearl gift for the right occasion.
Why Give Pearl Jewelry Gifts
When giving jewelry as a gift, it’s important to consider the taste and style of the receiver as well as how useful the jewelry will be to them. For most people, a beautifully designed piece of jewelry that they can wear on a regular basis is an excellent choice.
Pearls make ideal jewelry gifts because:
- They are typically neutral colored and suit all skin tones
- Pearls can be worn with most outfits, be it casual or formal
- It’s a valuable gemstone and doesn’t lose its value
- It will be treasured and worn for years
- It could be an heirloom and passed down to the next generation
- Pearl jewelry is classic and always stylish
- It’s the birthstone or anyone born in June
When to Give a Pearl Gift
When is it appropriate to give pearl jewelry as a gift and is there any occasion when it isn’t? To answer the first part of this question, pearls are appropriate for almost any occasion. Here are some perfect occasions for pearl gifts:
1- Birthdays and Coming of Age Occasions
For a girl born in June, a pearl gift is always extra special and meaningful. However, pearl jewelry is perfect for any birthday, especially milestone birthdays like 16, 18 or 21 years.
Giving pearl jewelry for someone’s graduation is also an excellent choice as pearls represent wisdom and new beginnings.
2- Romantic Occasions and Anniversaries
Pearls, like diamonds, are the quintessential romantic gift, ideal for Valentines Day or anniversaries to commemorate events like your first date or engagement.
This is one reason that pearls are so popular for bridal jewelry because they represent eternal love, loyalty and the start of a new chapter.
Pearls are also the traditional gemstone for the 30th wedding anniversary in the US.
3- Special Holidays
For special holidays like Mother’s Day, pearls always make a great gift choice. This is a gift that any mother will be happy to receive and one that will surely be treasured and worn for years.
What’s the Meaning of a Pearl Gift?
Some people choose jewelry gifts because of their beauty and design, while others also look for their symbolism and meaning. What do pearls mean?
Traditionally, pearls have symbolized everlasting love, loyalty and wisdom. They also represent new beginnings and a fresh start. Because of their quintessentially white color, pearls also represent purity, loyalty and innocence which are traits associated with the color white.
Pearls also have come to symbolize protection and strength, as in the past, wearing pearls was believed to ward of any evil. While you may not be superstitious, this connotation is still a nice one to have.
However:
There are some occasions where a pearl gift may not be suitable, and this depends on the receiver’s views. For some people, gifting pearls is seen as unlucky as it’s said to bring sadness to your life. In this case, the view is that by paying money for the pearls, the bad luck will be circumvented. Even today, some refuse to wear pearls on their wedding day because of this superstition.
Luckily, this belief is slowly being eroded and pearls are being seen, more and more, as representing positive things than negative. And this hasn’t stopped pearls being the gemstone of choice for brides.
If you think your pearl gift receiver will have negative superstitions about pearls, then reconsider. However, most women see pearls as gorgeous, valuable and sophisticated jewels.
Types of Pearl Jewelry to Give as a Gift
When choosing a pearl gift, consider the age and style of the receiver. Here are the best choices for the following age groups:
- Pearls for Young Girls
If you’re choosing pearl jewelry for a young girl, it’s best to keep the piece on the subtle side.
Something classy, cute and casual which can be worn for a variety of occasions. A pearl necklace or bracelet made up of small white pearls will suit a formal occasion with a cute, new dress. Little pearl studs or clip-ons are also great options.
- Pearls for Young Women
There are a lot of current, funky pearl designs that make pearls very stylish and contemporary for the modern young woman. Think beyond the classic pearl strand.
A stylish pearl pendant, featuring a stunning Golden South Sea pearl for example, puts a fresh spin on pearl jewelry. For an avant-garde look, consider Tahitian pearls.
A classic pearl ring or large dangle earrings will also be highly appreciated.
- Pearls for Grown Women
For adult women, choose traditional or contemporary designs based on their style. Consider the person’s general style and whether they prefer minimalist or maximalist styles. This will help you to pick a piece that you know they’re going to love.
You can’t go wrong with delicate pearl earrings, a classic pearl necklace or a stylish pearl ring.
How Much Should You Spend?
This depends on your budget and the occasion. Pearl jewelry ranges in price depending on the type of pearl, the quality of craftsmanship and the brand of jewelry (which can add significantly to the price).
A pair of pearl studs can cost under $50 while a strand of South Sea pearls can cost upwards of $5000. Once you pick your budget, you can hone in on the perfect piece of pearl jewelry.
Before You Buy
So to recap, before you buy your pearl gift, here’s what you need to consider:
- The occasion and your budget
- The age of the receiver
- Their general jewelry style
- The type of pearl jewelry to choose
- Where to purchase from
Always make sure you buy from a reputable seller with a proven track record to avoid issues down the track.
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