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Few gemstones captivate quite like pearls. Born from the sea, their soft lustre and effortless elegance have enchanted royalty and style icons for centuries.
As 2025 embraces everything from Goddess Complex opulence to Dolled Up femininity, pearls are once again in the spotlight - timeless, modern, and endlessly sophisticated.
Unlike other gemstones mined from the earth, pearls are the only gems created by living organisms. When an irritant enters a mollusc, it coats the mollusc with layers of nacre, forming a pearl - a rare and mesmerising natural process. Once reserved for royalty as ocean-born miracles, pearls are now more accessible thanks to cultured varieties, though their creation remains an art form.
Symbolising purity, humility, and innocence, pearls are the perfect June birthstone and a timeless choice for bridal jewellery.
Each pearl tells a story of its origin - from calm lakes to tropical seas. Here’s a closer look at the most celebrated varieties:
The epitome of classic elegance. Typically white or cream with a reflective lustre, Akoya pearls are the quintessential choice for a timeless strand necklace or refined earrings. Mainly cultivated in Japan and China, they embody the traditional pearl aesthetic.
These are the ocean’s most luxurious treasures. Grown in the pristine waters of Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, South Sea pearls are known for their impressive size and golden or silvery hues. Their thick nacre and rarity make them some of the most valuable pearls in the world.
Often referred to as black pearls, Tahitian pearls display an extraordinary range of colours -from deep charcoal to iridescent greens and purples. Cultivated around the islands of French Polynesia, they bring a touch of drama and mystery to any look.
The most versatile and accessible of all pearls, freshwater varieties are loved for their diversity in size, shape, and colour. Cultivated primarily in China’s lakes and ponds, they offer playful possibilities - perfect for modern, creative jewellery design.
Throughout history, pearls have been synonymous with sophistication -gracing some of the most stylish women in the world. Each made pearls her own, transforming them into a personal symbol of elegance.
In Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Audrey Hepburn’s multi-strand pearl necklace became one of cinema’s most enduring fashion moments. Paired with her black Givenchy gown and diamond brooch, it embodied the ultimate in mid-century chic -effortless, poised, and eternally Parisian.
Princess Diana reimagined pearls for the modern royal wardrobe. Her signature four-strand pearl choker, often finished with a sapphire or diamond clasp, exuded both regality and strength. Paired with matching pearl earrings, it became a hallmark of her refined yet contemporary style.
Known for her glamour and allure, Marilyn Monroe showcased the softer side of pearls. Her simple, single-strand pearl necklace - a gift from Joe DiMaggio - brought understated grace to her otherwise high-glamour looks, proving that elegance can be found in simplicity.
Jackie Kennedy’s polished style was defined by her triple-strand pearl necklace and coordinating pearl earrings. Whether at state dinners or casual engagements, she used pearls to balance sophistication with approachability, setting the standard for First Lady fashion.
While the icons of the past established pearls as timeless symbols of grace, today’s trendsetters are rewriting the rules. The new generation of stars proves that pearls are no longer reserved for classic elegance - they’re bold, expressive, and wonderfully unbound by gender or tradition.
Never one to shy away from a statement, Rihanna reimagined pearls at Paris Fashion Week by layering multiple strands in different lengths and textures. Her look - a fusion of vintage glamour and streetwear edge - showcased how pearls can feel powerful, modern, and completely her own.
At Wimbledon, Zendaya demonstrated the beauty of simplicity with her polished pearl stud earrings. Worn with a tailored blazer and crisp shirt, her styling balanced sophistication and modernity, showing how pearls can effortlessly elevate everyday elegance.
Harry Styles’ pearl necklace at the 2020 BRIT Awards marked a turning point in men’s jewellery. Paired with a lace-collared shirt and tailored suit, the delicate strand added softness and individuality, redefining pearls as a gender-fluid statement of self-expression.
At the 2025 Met Gala, Lewis Hamilton channelled the grandeur of the Art Deco era with a meticulously styled brooch adorned with gold, diamonds, rubies, and pearls. The intricate piece, set against his sleek modern suit, captured the evolving spirit of men’s jewellery - where heritage craftsmanship meets fearless, fashion-forward design.
In his 2022 Vogue interview, Timothée Chalamet paired a Tahitian pearl necklace with a relaxed T-shirt -proof that pearls can transcend formality. His look captured the new wave of jewellery styling: understated yet daring, modern yet rooted in timeless cool.
Our 2025 Predicted Trends in Jewellery report highlighted the rise of regal, ethereal, and feminine aesthetics -all of which place pearls firmly in the spotlight.
In the Goddess Complex trend, pearls echo divine luxury, recalling the adornments of mythological goddesses. Meanwhile, Dolled Up celebrates hyper-feminine style, where dainty pearl bracelets and pastel gemstones reign supreme. And Rococo Revival reimagines pearls as part of ornate, romantic statement pieces - ideal for those embracing vintage-inspired glamour.
Whether your personal style leans regal, romantic, or modern, pearls offer a timeless touch that complements every trend.
At Holts Gems, we celebrate the pearl’s enduring allure through handcrafted pieces that bridge tradition and modern design.
From heirloom-worthy pieces to modern designs, each pearl creation at Holts Gems tells its own story - one of craftsmanship, history, and beauty born from nature.
Timeless, Modern, Effortlessly You
In an era of ever-changing fashion, pearls remain one of the few jewels that transcend time and trend. Whether worn as a subtle detail or a bold centrepiece, they continue to symbolise grace, individuality, and quiet strength.
Discover your perfect pearl at Holts Gems, and carry a piece of the ocean’s timeless elegance into your everyday style.
Explore our full pearl collection and see how this classic gem continues to inspire 2025’s most captivating trends.
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