Pearl necklace - Coco Chanel's favorite jewelry

The pearl necklace gained its incredible popularity among fashionistas all over the world after it became an almost permanent accessory of the inimitable Coco Chanel in the 30s of the last century. Becoming a trendsetter of her time, she turned a pearl necklace into an obligatory attribute of a real lady, both in a casual look and at special occasions.

A pearl necklace looks feminine and sophisticated, suitable for a classic business look, for an evening dress, for a wedding celebration, and even for a casual look.A pearl necklace will suit both a young girl and an aged woman, it all depends on the type of necklace, the length of its threads, the size, color of the pearls and the number of rows of pearls in the necklace. It is believed that a necklace with large pearls is suitable for older women, while young girls, on the contrary, should pay attention to a necklace with miniature pearls.

A pearl necklace is also chosen depending on the color of the skin - black or yellowish pearls are perfect for dark tanned skin, pearls with a pink or bluish tinge are perfect for pale skin. White pearls, as well as pearls with a creamy tint, are considered universal and suit everyone without exception.

There are several varieties of pearls - sea, river, cultured and artificial pearls. Sea - the most expensive, it is more brilliant, evenly colored, compared to the river has a lighter shade and a regular rounded shape.

River pearls have a yellowish tint and a different shape - from oval to rounded, the size of the pearls can be different.

Natural pearls, which have grown in natural conditions, are practically not found today, their reserves have been exhausted. Therefore, manufacturers use cultured pearls. To grow it, a grain of sand is artificially introduced into the mollusk and after that the pearl begins to grow. In this way, both river and sea pearls are produced. In appearance, it is absolutely no different from its counterparts grown in natural conditions.

The life span of natural pearls is limited and ranges from 50 to 200 years, so it requires a kind of care.. For example, pearls should be worn as often as possible, then they will not lose their luster longer and will not dry out.Pearls love moisture, so sometimes a pearl necklace needs to be washed in clean cool water or wiped with a small piece of wet cloth. It is better to store pearls wrapped in a piece of cotton cloth, and once every 5 years, a pearl necklace should be strung on another thread.

In terms of care, artificial pearls have an advantage over natural ones - they do not require such careful care and, if handled with care, will last much longer than natural ones. Modern technologies make it possible to make fairly high-quality imitations of pearls and give them the necessary shape and size, but products made from natural pearls are most valued in the world.

Pearl necklaces or beads are made from artificial or natural pearls. Its colors can be completely different - white pearls with green, blue, pink or grayish hues, warm yellowish pearls, black pearls with a bluish or purple tint.

The most common raw materials are still white or yellowish pearls - there is always a demand for them, which manufacturers are well aware of.

The cost of a pearl necklace is also affected by the material from which the clasp is made. On the most expensive necklaces, the clasp is made of gold. A more budget option is equipped with silver clasps, but artificial pearl beads usually have a base metal clasp.

Pearl necklace can be of several types:

• choker is a classic modest necklace made of a single thread with a length of 35 to 40 cm. It is great for a classic look, goes well with a business suit, sheath dress or strict evening dress.

• collar - a necklace with a length of 30 to 32 cm, consists of several threads adjacent to the neck, looks like a "collar", and therefore suits the owners of a long swan neck. This necklace can be combined with a dress or blouse with a deep neckline.

• matinet is a long necklace about 60 cm, which goes well with a cocktail or evening dress, as well as a formal suit.

• princess - a necklace with a length of 42 to 48 cm is perfect for owners of a plump or short neck, as it visually lengthens it.

• opera - a necklace with a length of 80 to 90 cm in one thread. This necklace looks great with plain clothes in dark colors and visually slims its owner.

• rope - a necklace 115 cm long is worn in one thread or in several. It is worn around the neck, as a belt, as a bracelet, and also as a hoop, depending on stylistic preferences.

The cost of a pearl necklace is determined by the type of beads, quality, size, luster of pearls, the length of the string of beads, the clasp material, and the brand that produced them. The price of a necklace made of natural pearls of a well-known fashion house can reach several hundred thousand rubles. A necklace made of artificial pearls costs from 500 rubles.

The choice of pearls should be approached carefully if you really want to purchase a stylish accessory that will delight you with its appearance for a long time. Look carefully at the necklace - the pearls should be about the same size and color. Even in high-quality products, it is allowed to have several pearls in the thread, which have small differences in size and color.

It should be noted that black pearls, which are mined in Tahiti, have their own classification, and also have completely unique shades - cherry, greenish, brown, gray, and purple. Therefore, a necklace made of black Tahitian pearls can be collected for several years to ensure a harmonious combination of pearls with each other. This is the reason for the high cost of such a necklace - it can start from a couple of thousand dollars.

The great Gabrielle Chanel advised to wear beads at ease and lightly, without attaching special importance to them.

You can wear a pearl necklace with elegant evening dresses, a little black dress, denim, a tweed suit, a jumper, a tank top or a turtleneck. Stylists do not limit the combination of a pearl necklace with diverse clothes. The only thing you should pay attention to is the shape of the neckline on the clothes and the length of the string of pearls.

• . A classic combination of a three-strand pearl necklace and a black dress is a surefire option for any event.

• A pearl necklace, complemented by brand names and various decorative elements, looks youthful and fresh and goes well with casual style.

• An unusual pearl necklace with metal links and a contrasting combination of light and dark beads, worn in several threads, goes well with light makeup and a strict jacket or suit, giving the whole look a special chic and glamour.

• A beautiful delicate look in the style of Audrey Hepburn is harmoniously complemented by a pearl necklace with a large decorative pendant, which looks great with a black dress with thin straps with a deep neckline.