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Some jewelry is beautiful. Others carry something deeper.
Pearls are unlike any other gemstone. They are the only gems formed within a living organism, slowly created layer after layer inside an oyster.
A process that takes time. A process that transforms.
Un peu comme l’amour d’une mère.
For centuries, pearls have symbolised softness, protection, femininity and a quiet kind of strength. Maybe that is why they feel like one of the most meaningful gifts to celebrate Mother’s Day.
Because sometimes, the most beautiful necklace will always be her arms around you.
What are pearls really, and how are they made?
Pearls start to form when an irritant, such as a small fragment of shell, enters inside an oyster. The mollusc responds by covering it with layer upon layer of nacre, also called Mother of Pearl.
There are two types of pearls: natural pearls, where the irritant enters accidentally through nature, and cultured pearls, where the process begins through human intervention. Natural pearls are extremely rare and expensive today, which is why most pearl jewelry is now designed with cultured pearls.
Cultured pearls are real pearls too. They are formed inside a living mollusc, with the same nacre layering process, but with human help at the beginning.
Pearls come in many shapes, sizes and colours. They are most commonly white or black and round in shape, but they can also be oval, drop-shaped, baroque, pink, green, grey or golden.
History and symbolism of pearl jewelry
Hundreds of years ago, pearls were considered more valuable than diamonds. Natural pearls were incredibly rare, as only a very small number of oysters contained one, and even fewer produced pearls with the right size, shape and beauty to be used in jewelry.
Because of their rarity, pearls became a major status symbol, from Ancient Rome to royal courts. They have long represented wealth, timeless elegance and refinement.
They also became the signature accessory of many fashion icons, including Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn, as well as royal figures such as Princess Grace of Monaco and First Ladies including Jacqueline Kennedy and Michelle Obama.
In ancient societies, pearls were often associated with Venus, the goddess of love, said to have risen from the sea on a shell. This connection gave pearls a strong symbolism of love, beauty and feminine energy.
In some cultures, pearls were also believed to offer protection, attract luck and bring happiness to the wearer.
Today, pearls remain one of the most beloved gemstones in women’s jewelry. They symbolise purity, softness, elegance and emotional connection. But they are no longer only classic or traditional.
At Eterling, we like pearls when they feel a little different. Not too formal. Not too expected. Pieces with texture, character and that little something extra.
The different types of pearls
Today, pearls rank among the most popular gems in the world. With cultured pearls being real pearls too, there is a beautiful range of varieties to choose from for modern jewelry and bespoke designs.
Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater pearls come from molluscs that mature in non-saline lakes, rivers or ponds. They are among the most commonly produced pearls and are loved in jewelry design for their wide variety of shapes, sizes and natural colours, from white to pink and purple.
Saltwater Pearls
Saltwater pearls are produced by oysters that live in the sea or ocean. The best-known varieties include Tahitian pearls, Akoya pearls and South Sea pearls. Their size can vary from approximately 2 mm to 15 mm.
Tahitian Pearls
Tahitian pearls come from black-lipped oysters in French Polynesia. They are famous for their naturally dark colours, ranging from grey to green and deep black. They are usually around 9 mm to 14 mm, but can grow larger.
Akoya Pearls
Akoya pearls are one of the most familiar types of saltwater cultured pearls. They are often used in classic pearl necklace designs because of their round shape, bright lustre and elegant white tone. Their average size is around 7 mm.
South Sea Cultured Pearls
South Sea pearls come from the seas surrounding Indonesia, the Philippines and Australia. They are among the rarest and most expensive cultured pearls, known for their large size and beautiful colours, from white to silver or golden. Their average size is around 12 mm to 13 mm.
Why choose pearl jewelry today?
Pearls have kept their timeless elegance, but they can also feel modern, personal and unexpected.
They bring light to the face, softness to an outfit and meaning to a gift. Whether worn as a necklace, pendant, ring or earrings, pearls have a way of making a piece feel intimate.
For Mother’s Day, they carry a beautiful symbolism: birth, protection, tenderness and love that grows over time.
And like every Eterling piece, our pearl jewelry is designed for women who want something meaningful, but not ordinary.
Discover our pearl collection.
Not the traditional kind.
Pieces designed to be worn, lived in, and made yours.
