Last year we brought you the complete guide to Power Pearls and the Women Who Wear Them. But luckily for us pearl lovers, there are many new power pearl moments to celebrate this year.  Not only are pearls getting a “thrilling” makeover with exciting new designs, but the iconic pearl is also popping up in fashion news and in pop culture like never before. Power Pearls are now being worn by women at every age as a symbol of confidence, prestige and personal strength. From politics to fashion to the Hollywood big screen, pearls are turning heads for all the right reasons. No wonder pearls continue to command exceptional prices at high-powered luxury auctions.

Power Plays Call for Pristine Pearls

Clockwise L to R – Assael Baroque Tahitian Pearl Rope Necklace 49”, Top Trending Instagram posts for #PowerPearls, Kamala Harris launching presidential campaign in Tahitian pearls, Assael Classic South Sea Cultured Pearl Necklace

As the era of female empowerment continues to thrive, there is a lively emergence of female thought leaders and trend-setters. From more women in Congress to more fabulous roles for heroines on the large and small screen, there is a brand new breed of women choosing pearls to symbolize their status, position and power. The look is bold and confident, and the pearls are worn high around the neck or layered upon the chest and wrists. Female politicians are using pearls as a bold nod to their forebears while blazing new paths as they win more votes than ever before. Female CEOs and trendy business women are also choosing pearls to complement their business suits and maintain an air of dignity and femininity in their leadership roles.

The Spotlight Shines on Red Carpet Pearls

L to R – Judith Light at the Golden Globes, Susan Sullivan at the SAG Awards, Candace Bergen at the Golden Globes, Assael Classic South Sea Baroque Pearl Opera Length Necklace

With award-show season in full swing, we pearl obsessed girls are loving the brilliant flashes of pearl luster gracing the red carpet arrivals in recent weeks. Judith Light opted for a marvelous “white out” for her Golden Globe ensemble. Literally dressed from head to toe in a stunningly simple white gown, she glowed with elegance and wore a plunging six-strand pearl necklace that radiated pure joy with her every move.  Candace Bergen also recently returned to the red carpet with the Golden Globe nomination for her work in the remake of the Murphy Brown series. Bergen also layered her pearls, stacking necklaces of various lengths and pairing small and large pearls for dramatic contrast.  The result was both powerful and chic.  Susan Sullivan donned a super long strand of fabulous pearls at the SAG Awards this past weekend. Love the knot she tied with them!

Pearls Steal the Show on the Big Screen

Clockwise L to R – Michelle Yeoh at SAG Awards in mismatched pearl cage earrings, Emma Stone in The Favourite, Rachel Brosnahan wearing one-of-a-kind diamond and pearl designer earrings, Assael Baroque Pearl Earrings, Margot Robbie wearing Chanel pearl earrings, Assael Trillion Cut Morganite and Cultured Pearl earrings

Where is all this pearl inspiration coming from? Look no further than the big screen. According to trend reporter Amy Elliott at JCK, the film The Favourite is “basically a pearl jewelry orgy.” Golden Globe and SAG nominees Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz both wear incredible pearl earrings and necklaces throughout the film. The pearls showcase their rank and status, as well as their power. Emma Stone’s character wears more and better pearls as her rank rises throughout the storyline. Other period pieces like Mary Queen of Scots have also inspired Hollywood royalty. In fact, the film’s star Margot Robbie wore a lovely pair of golden pearl drop earrings to the 25^th Annual SAG Awards. And Golden Globe winner Rachel Brosnahan selected a stunning pair of diamond ribbon earrings that featured a pristine pearl on each ear for receiving her “Best Actress in a Comedy Series” SAG Award. We now anxiously await the Oscars and hope to see a few pearls on the red carpet there this year, too!

Pearls are Breaking Records at Auction

Clockwise L to R – Marie Antoinette’s record-breaking “Bourbon” pearl pendant, the Dodge Pearl Necklace, Georges Hobeika S/S 2019 Paris, Kristen Stewart at Chanel runway show January 22, 2019, Natasha Lyonne at the Women in Hollywood celebration Oct 2018

In addition to pop culture’s love affair with pearls, recent record-breaking prices on the auction block also remind us of just how valuable pearls truly are.  According to Town & Country magazine, Marie Antoinette’s pearl and diamond pendant from Italy’s royal “Bourbon-Parma line” sold for $36 million at Sotheby’s in November, which “more than tripled the previous world auction record for a pearl.”   The so-called “Bourbon” pearl was not alone. Not long after, the famous “Dodge Pearl Necklace” exceeded all expectations at auction. Having been owned by Horace Elgin Dodge, one of the founders of the Dodge Motor Company, the necklace was bought from Pierre Cartier who made the very likely claim that it once belonged to Catherine The Great of Russia. According to National Jeweler, the Dodge pearls “estimated to fetch between $240,000 and $340,000, ended up selling for $1.1 million” at the Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Auction in Geneva. When well cared for, high quality pearls maintain their famous luster, as well as their value, for many generations. #powerpearls

Expect the head-turning pearl trend to continue as even last week actress Kristen Stewart, of Twilight saga fame, sported a lengthy rope of pearls at the Chanel Fashion Show in Paris in January. No matter the age or style, there is a perfect pearl expression for everyone.  Feel free to experiment and indulge in your own personal and powerful statement with pearls.  And look out for our “Cool Girl Pearls” post next month.

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