March is Me Month, have you heard? Coinciding with International Women’s Day on March 8, an exciting “March is Me Month” campaign will launch this weekend. Inspired by the fabulous women of the fine jewelry industry who run the WJA (Women’s Jewelry Association), the aim is to empower women and to spread the word that women should buy jewelry for themselves! Nationwide retailers and jewelry brands are joining the promotion and featuring wonderful jewelry styles that a man probably would not buy for you.  Beth Bernstein of Worthy.com said it best, “let’s face it: women know their styles much better than any men who are buying jewels for them. How many pave hearts, diamond journey pieces and other safe jewels can we own?”

Here at Obsessed by Pearls, we thought it might be fun to explore how Pearl Girls can celebrate March is Me Month and join the fun. Drawing inspiration from celebrity red carpets and haute couture fashion, here are some eye-catching styles that a man may not ever think to buy you.

Pearl Essentials – Akoyas are the Pinnacle of Daily Wear Pearls

Clockwise from Upper Left – Penelope Cruz at the Oscars Feb 2020, Elza Matiz Front Row at Badgley Mischka runway show during NYFW, Assael Akoya Essentials Pearl Strand, Assael Trilogy Akoya Pearl Ring, Geometrix Mix & Match Single Stud Earrings by Sean Gilson for Assael, Christian Dior Spring/Summer 2020, Chanel Paris Metiers D’Art 2019-2020

According to the DeBeers Annual Diamond Insights Report, as of 2018 women’s self-purchase of diamond jewelry had grown to nearly 40% of the total market. Clearly, more and more of us are shunning the idea that we must wait for a man to buy us some jewelry. And lately, all eyes are on pearls, radiating their luster from runways to red carpets.  Penelope Cruz created quite a buzz at the Oscars wearing a gorgeous pearl strand as a belt around her vintage Chanel Couture gown. And fashion-forward Millennials, both male and female, are piling on pearls like never before. Akoya pearls are the must-have gem of the new generation.

The new craze for #neckmess is right off the runway from the last several years. Designers Chanel, Gucci and Dior have featured a jumble of necklaces as the perfect accessories for their pantsuits, separates and gowns. Akoya pearls add a touch of sophistication to even the most casual of outfits. They are so incredibly versatile, they make a very practical gift to treat yourself, as well as a useful investment in your fine jewelry wardrobe. If you already have a strand, treat yourself during Me Month to a new pearl ring or versatile pair of pearl earrings that you can wear with your pearls, even when you wear them as a belt. Or splurge on a gorgeous new brooch to enhance your favorite strand.

Earring Excellence – Everyone Deserves Selection

Clockwise from Upper Left – Assael Peridot and Green Fijian Pearl Mobile Earrings, Assael Diamond and Detachable Round South Sea Pearl Earrings, Assael Tahitian Pearl and Bicolor Tourmaline Long Drop Earrings, Maggie Gyllenhaal at the 75th Golden Globe Awards, Assael South Sea Pearl and Aquamarine Earrings, Christian Dior Fall/Winter 2019-2020, Zoe Kravitz at the Screen Actors Guild Awards 2020, Christian Dior Spring/Summer 2020

Earrings make the best self-reward for various reasons. Firstly, women need so many of them. We wear earrings every single day, so selection is key. Having ample options in your jewelry wardrobe can help keep your favorite blouse or sweater fresh and distinctive every time you wear it. Also, earrings are very personal – each of us has a slew of preferences that would be hard for our significant other to keep track of. So, in celebration of March is Me Month, shop for some new pearl earrings. You can justify the purchase by how often you will wear them and by how much joy you will get from the compliments you receive. Choose a style you do not already own – if your jewelry box is full of stud earrings, try a spectacular drop or chandelier style. Also consider earrings with detachable pearls for versatility, variety, and for wearing as a mismatched pair. The best part about treating yourself to a new pair of earrings is you get to try out some fun new styles while shopping!

Ring in the New – Why Wait?

Clockwise from Upper Left – Assael Tahitian Pearl and Green Garnet Ring, Amato FFWD Runway Oct ’17, Contemporary South Sea Pearl Small Bubble Ring by Sean Gilson for Assael, Assael Fiji Pearl and Bicolor Tourmaline Ring, Akoya Pearl Linear Bubble Ring by Sean Gilson for Assael, Tahitian Pearl Bubble Ring by Sean Gilson for Assael, Assael South Sea Pearl Ring

With fashion publications like Glamour and WWD talking about women buying jewelry for themselves, we’d be remiss not to talk about rings!  Beth Bernstein at Worthy.com once again hits the nail on the head, “for all the single or divorced women out there—it just might be easier to find a few perfect choices for the right hand than the man that will put one on your left ring finger.”  One of the best perks of wearing rings is that we get to see them every time we look down at our hands. We only see our necklace or earrings when we look in a mirror. So rings can bring us unlimited joy and/or brighten our mood any time we need it.

For those of us who are truly obsessed by pearls, rings are a terrific way to treat ourselves this March. There are so many wonderful colors of pearls, we could even curate a whole selection of pearl rings to match our favorite fabrics or outfits. Assael has a charming assortment of three-stone rings featuring a center pearl with complementary colors of gemstones. Pick your favorite combination and just remember to love it. Run your finger along the pearl’s smooth surface as the oils from your skin will help keep it shining bright. And be sure to remove your pearl ring before applying chemicals like lotion, hairspray or facial moisturizer. Don’t feel limited to the right hand – wear your pearl rings on whatever finger you choose or one on every finger if you like.

March is Me Month is a wonderful way to celebrate International Women’s Day. Granting ourselves permission to splurge on fine jewelry can be a challenge for many women. Thank goodness for Me Month. Women deserve precious and lasting mementos of their own unique self-worth!

Feature Image/ Top Collage:

Clockwise from Upper Left – Givenchy Fall/Winter 2020/2021, Christian Dior Fall/Winter 2019/2020, Assael Magnificent South Sea Baroque Pearl Earrings, Assael South Sea Baroque Pearl Cocktail Ring, Drew Barrymore rings at the 74th Annual Academy Awards, Akoya Linear Bubble Earrings by Sean Gilson for Assael

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