In a modern take on classic pearls, jewellers are combining these treasures of the sea with coloured gemstones for a look that is fresh and very wearable.
The Color Prestige collection from Japanese brand Mikimoto encapsulates this trend beautifully by pairing white South Sea cultured pearls and conch pearls with candy-coloured gems such as yellow diamonds, pink and purple sapphires, mint tourmalines and pink spinels, all set in white gold and platinum. The collection includes pendants and earrings in a rainbow of hues for a contemporary take on a classic.
Always ahead of the game, Chanel recently incorporated coloured stones into its high jewellery Les Perles de Chanel collection, which is dedicated entirely to the pearls so beloved by Mademoiselle Chanel herself.
Shimmering pink, purple and yellow sapphires in the Printemps de Camelia pieces, together with multi-coloured pearls, pack a vibrant punch in these joyous jewels, which look like so much fun to wear.
Similarly, the Perles Baroques necklace and earrings combine tourmaline, aquamarine, sapphire and tsavorite with baroque pearls and diamonds, creating a colourful mosaic of mismatching pearls and gemstones that is pure Chanel.
Yoko London's Calypso collection is glamorous and bold. A chunky rose gold ring offsets the subtle glow of a pink freshwater pearl with vibrant purple amethysts and a scattering of twinkling diamonds. The rose gold Calypso pendant features a white Australian South Sea pearl with green amethysts, diamonds and tsavorite, as well as a pair of drop earrings with pink freshwater pearls, diamonds and purple amethysts.
One of the prettiest interpretations of this colourful trend can be seen in the Aurora pearl necklace and matching cascade earrings from Yoko London's Masterpiece collection. The stunning set combines Australian South Sea pearls with diamonds and multi-coloured sapphires, all set in white gold.
Another jeweller embracing the trend for coloured stones and pearls is Tiffany & Co. Its pearl and peridot necklace and matching earrings is summer jewellery personified, contrasting white South Sea pearls with bright green peridots for a shot of pure colour.
Read more on chic contemporary pearl jewellery
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Chanel Perles Baroque necklace in white gold, from the new Les Perles de Chanel collection, set with diamonds, blue and purple sapphires, amethysts, blue and green tourmalines, aquamarines, blue tanzanites, five Australian baroque cultured pearls, 35 South Sea cultured pearls, four Tahitian cultured pearls and 38 Japanese cultured pearls.