Pearl Earrings
Pearl earrings are the piece a Perth client tends to come back for at least three times in their life: a graduation set, a wedding pair, and a milestone birthday upgrade.
We have built pearl earring sets across all three at our Mt Hawthorn workshop, and the bulk of our pearl work uses Australian South Sea pearls grown along the north west coast of Western Australia.
Stud, Drop, Hoop And Threader Styles
The pearl earring collection covers the full range of style choices a buyer tends to weigh between. Pearl studs are the most reached-for piece in the collection, suiting both work attire and weekend wear. Pearl drop earrings hang the pearl below a hand-set diamond cap or gold finding, with movement that suits formal occasions and evening wear. Hoops and huggies pair pearls with diamonds in a more contemporary direction, with the pearl set on the front face of the hoop or hanging as a charm. Long hook and threader styles run the pearl below the ear for dramatic length, particularly suited to up-styled hair at weddings.
We also build matched sets pairing studs with a pearl pendant or drop earrings with a strand for clients buying for a specific occasion.
Australian South Sea Pearls From The North West Coast
The Pinctada maxima oyster, found along the WA coast from Broome north, produces the largest and most lustrous cultured pearls in the world. Each oyster takes between two and three years to grow a single pearl of marketable size, and yields only one pearl at a time. The slow growth conditions of the Kimberley waters produce thick nacre, deep natural lustre and substantial pearl size, typically between 9mm and 14mm for the loose South Sea pearls we set into earrings.
Our Australian South Sea pearl earrings range across white, silver, cream, champagne and gold colours. We hand-pick from sorting trays in person at our Western Australian suppliers, matching pairs by lustre, surface, shape, size and overtone. A matched pair of South Sea studs takes longer to source than a single pearl ring, because the two pearls must read as identical to the eye when worn together.
Tahitian, Freshwater And Cultured Options
Australian South Sea pearls are the centrepiece of the collection, but they are not the only pearls in our pearl jewellery range. Black Tahitian pearls grown by the Pinctada margaritifera produce the dark colours (peacock green, aubergine, charcoal, deep blue) that suit clients drawn to bolder pieces. Radiant freshwater pearls sit at a more accessible price point and work particularly well as graduation gifts or first pearl earrings.
Cultured pearls in sterling silver settings round out the lower end of the collection, with simple stud earrings starting in the low hundreds. Each pearl type carries a different character; we walk through the differences in person at the bench so the choice fits the wearer’s brief.
Choosing Pearl Size, Shape And Setting
Pearl size affects how the earrings read on the ear. Pearls under 8mm sit close as discreet daily studs, 9mm to 11mm reads as a polished classic size suited to most wearers, and 12mm and above makes a stronger statement and tends to suit drop or stud earrings worn for special occasions. Round pearls are the most sought after for studs. Drop and baroque shapes work particularly well in dangle settings where the irregular form adds character.
For setting metal, yellow gold deepens the warmth of cream and champagne pearls, white gold and platinum keep the focus on white South Sea pearls, and rose gold flatters most pearls with a soft pink overtone in the metal. Backings (butterfly clutches, screw backs, lever backs) matter for security; we always recommend screw backs for South Sea earrings worth several thousand dollars upward.
Caring For Your Pearl Earrings
Pearls are softer than diamonds and sapphires, sitting at 2.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale, and they need different care from harder gemstones. Wear pearl earrings after applying makeup, perfume, sunscreen and hairspray, never before. Wipe them with a soft cloth after each wear to remove the natural oils and residue that dull the surface over time.
Avoid moisture, harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners and storing pearl earrings alongside harder jewellery that can scratch the surface. Store them in a soft pouch or a lined jewellery box. We re-knot pearl studs and drops on demand and check the post and butterfly condition during our annual jewellery service, which we offer to every client who has bought a piece from us.
A Recent Dunsborough Commission
A client from Dunsborough came to us looking for a pair of South Sea drop earrings to wear at her thirtieth wedding anniversary. She had inherited a single 12mm cream South Sea pearl from her mother and wanted us to source a matched second pearl, build the pair, and design a drop setting that referenced her existing engagement ring.
We sourced the matching pearl over six weeks from a WA grower, with the second pearl carrying the same overtone and lustre as the original. The drop setting was hand-finished in 18 carat yellow gold with a single round brilliant diamond above each pearl cap, picking up the diamond style from her engagement ring. Build time once both pearls were in hand was four weeks. The earrings were finished a fortnight before the anniversary dinner and have been her most-worn pair since.
Frequently Asked Questions
A few of the questions we are asked most often about our pearl earrings.
What Is The Best Size Pearl For Earrings?
For studs worn most days, 8mm to 10mm sits as a comfortable size on most ears. For drop earrings or studs intended for special occasions, 11mm to 14mm reads as more substantial. Above 14mm starts to feel less practical for daily wear and works better in occasional pieces.
Are Pearl Earrings Suitable For Everyday Wear?
Yes, with care. Pearls are softer than other gemstones, so the wearer needs to remove them before swimming, exercising or applying anything that could damage the surface. Stud earrings in particular suit daily wear when looked after properly.
Do You Build Custom Pearl Earrings?
Yes. Custom pearl earrings are part of what we are known for at our Mt Hawthorn workshop. We will work from inherited pearls, source matched pairs from our WA suppliers, or design a setting around a specific brief. Engraving inside the gold caps or backings is included on most bespoke pieces.
Can I Have Diamonds Set Around The Pearls?
Absolutely. Australian South Sea pearl and diamond drop earrings are one of the most popular configurations we make. Diamond accents above the pearl cap, surrounding halos, and tapered diamond drops all sit comfortably alongside the pearl in the same earring.
Are Tahitian Pearl Earrings Real Black Pearls?
Yes. Black Tahitian pearls are produced naturally by the Pinctada margaritifera oyster, with their dark colour formed during the growth process rather than by dyeing. The dark Tahitian pearl earrings in our collection are genuine cultured pearls graded for surface and overtone.
Try The Earrings On At The Studio
Pearl earrings reveal themselves in the mirror, not in a photograph. The way a 10mm South Sea stud reads against the wearer’s skin tone, the way a Tahitian drop catches the light when the head turns, and the way a hoop with pearls sits against the ear all come to life when the earrings are actually on. We invite you to spend time at our Mt Hawthorn studio with the loose pearls and finished earring sets in front of a mirror, with our team helping you compare.
