Midwinter Silver Earrings - Natural Pearls

Silver 925 is an alloy consisting of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper

The pearl is the only precious gemstone created by a living organism.

When a tiny irritant slips into an oyster, it coats it, year after year, in delicate layers of nacre.

A quality pearl can take years to form; composed of calcium carbonate, it is naturally very delicate.

Natural pearls were once pricier than diamonds; today, most are cultured, carefully grown on marine farms.

One of the most famous pearls, La Peregrina, belonged to Queen Mary I of England in the 16th century, and in 1969 Richard Burton bought it for Elizabeth Taylor; it was later sold at auction for nearly 12 million dollars.

Coco Chanel made pearls irresistibly chic in the 1920s, layering mixed strands—real and faux—boldly in broad daylight.

Jackie Kennedy's famous pearls were, in fact, faux (glass), by Kenneth Jay Lane — proof that elegance isn't about price.

Colors range from white and cream to pink, golden, or gray, each pearl boasting a unique luster and shape.

The most prized cultured pearls come from Japan (Akoya), the South Seas, Tahiti, and China (freshwater pearls).

A symbol of purity, elegance, and femininity, the pearl is one of June's birthstones.

With a hardness of just 2,5–4,5 it is highly sensitive to perfume, perspiration, and chemicals.

The golden rule: put it on last, after makeup and perfume, and gently wipe it with a soft cloth after wear. It is beautifully showcased in 925 silver and gold.

The zirconia used in jewelry (cubic zirconia) is a stone that’s entirely man-made.

It’s zirconium dioxide melted at over 2700°C and carefully crystallized to obtain a clear, inclusion-free stone.

It’s virtually absent in nature — a triumph of the lab.

It even has a Cold War backstory: it was perfected by Soviet scientists at the Lebedev Institute in Moscow in the 1970s, under the name “fianit”.

The result mimics a diamond’s fire so well that it has become the most popular sparkling and affordable alternative to diamond.

Good to know: it’s different from “zircon,” which is a completely separate natural gemstone.

Most often it’s colorless, mirroring diamond, but it can be produced in any color.

Its strong brilliance is beautifully showcased in 925 silver and gold.

As a modern stone, it doesn’t have its own symbolic tradition, but it’s loved for its sparkle and versatility.

With a hardness of 8–8,5 it stands up well to everyday wear, requiring only moderate care.

Clean it gently to keep its fire, and it’s right at home in everyday jewelry.