Perfect imperfection with baroque pearls at the Couture Show Las Vegas

By Rachel Garrahan

Marilyn Monroe once said “imperfection is beauty” and the baroque pearl, in all its perfect imperfection, was everywhere at the Couture Show Las Vegas. With its organic, one-of-a-kind appeal, designers of this fine jewelry piece let their imaginations run riot.

The term baroque describes any pearl with an irregular, non-spherical form - the most valuable being Tahitian or South Sea pearls, which have long been highly prized for their natural, irregular look.

Ornella Iannuzzi, who recently won two awards for The Uprising baroque pearl ring and has been chosen as our Designer of the Moment, returns to this organic element in her Precious Trinity from the Depth of Nature necklace. Mixing modern sculpture with her love of natural form and color, Ornella named the piece for its combined components: “It’s made of gold, pearls and diamonds, which are the three most precious materials on Earth: diamond being the most precious stone; gold the most precious metal; and pearl the most precious organic element.”

Ray Griffiths loves baroque pearls for both their individuality and versatility: "You can wear them with jeans and a T-shirt, or a ball gown, and they fit right in, large or small.” With Ray’s elegant, chunky chain bracelet you can match your mood and your outfit with interchangeable charms of baroque pearls and precious gemstones.

The unexpected shapes of the baroque pearl lend themselves to the wonderfully inventive imagination of Lydia Courteille, with the Parisian's latest piece featuring a whimsical monkey wrapping itself round a beautiful example, diamond pavé tail and all.

The baroque pearl bracelet from Jordan Alexander jewelry contrasts silver freshwater baroque pearls with a single gold and diamond teardrop, and unexpected aquamarine. Also at the Couture Show Las Vegas, fellow pearl expert YOKO London showcased the baroque pearl by mirroring the form of their rainbow-irridescent examples with irregular, nubby gold and diamond pavé orbs.

Perfect imperfection indeed.

Gold crownwork link bracelet with interchangeable baroque pearl bales from Ray Griffiths jewelry.
Monkey pearl pendant in black rhodium gold with a baroque pearl, brown diamonds, rubies and tsavorites from Lydia Courteille jewelry.
Lucifer Vir Honestus rose gold Fascia ring with a baroque Tahitian pearl.
The baroque pearl bracelet from Jordan Alexander jewelry contrasts silver freshwater baroque pearls with a single gold and diamond teardrop, and unexpected aquamarine.
Pamela Huizenga jewelry baroque pearl bracelet in gold and red leather.
Bibi van der Velden earrings in yellow gold with diamonds from the Baroque Pearl collection.
Savannah Stranger baroque pearl ring in gold with diamonds.
Ornella Iannuzzi Precious Trinity from the Depth of Nature necklace with Tahitian and South Sea baroque pearls in yellow gold with diamonds.
Yossi Harari pearl necklace with a gold and champagne diamond spiral.
K Brunini Large Twig cuff in sterling silver set with five baroque South Sea pearls.
YOKO London freshwater baroque pearl earrings in rose gold, set with 15-16mm baroque pearls and diamonds.