Spring / Summer 2014 Jewelry Style Trend: Pearls

FRESH NECKLACE by Antalya Designs - square freshwater pearls on a hand-stitched lattice of 24k Miyuki beads and swarovski crystals

Pearls have always been in style, transcending fashions that have come and gone throughout the generations.  However...  This season, pearls are having a dramatic resurgence in popularity, enjoying global magazine cover domination, thanks to Chanel, Marchesa and Oscar de la Renta, amongst others.

Leading the way, Karl Lagerfeld pays homage to Coco Chanel's design signature, with a plethora of giant pearls for Spring/Summer 2014 throughout the entire collection.  Indeed, enduring style icon, Coco, dressed in black dress and pearls, epitomizes the ideology of 'style' for most of us.

Women have been wearing pearls since Ancient Rome - in fact, the earliest pearl jewelry was discovered within the sarcophagus of a persian princess, who died in 520 B.C!  (This piece is now on display at the Louvre Museum, in Paris.)  Pearls throughout history have been associated with purity, perfection and elegance.

As a contemporary jewelry artisan, I choose to use freshwater pearls - some oversize in white and peacock hues and many interesting shapes, such as *Keishi pearls (*flat irregular shape with a higher lustre), juxtaposed with non-traditional materials such as swarovski crystals, sterling silver and gold.

The result is feminine, understated - yet bold and striking statement jewelry pieces.

BRIO - Massive peacock freshwater pearls on a hand-stitched lattice of sterling silver plated Miyuki beads

BRIO - Massive white freshwater pearls on a hand-stitched lattice of 24k gold plated Miyuki beads

Antalya Designs Trunk Shows this Spring!

The Gallery at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Beach Resort.  Friday 4 - Saturday 5 April / Friday 18 - Saturday 19 April

FLEUR BRACELET - Keishi pearls & Swarovski crystals on a hand-stitched lattice of 24k gold plated Miyuki beads

WIDE FLEUR COLLAR - Keishi pearls and Swarovski crystals on a hand-stitched lattice of sterling silver plated Miyuki beads, sterling silver & pearl clasp 

FLEUR NECKLACE - Keishi pearls & Swarovski crystal on a hand-stitched lattice of 24k gold plated Miyuki beads, magnetic Swarovski clasp

FRESH BRACELETS - 3 freshwater pearl bracelets

Pearls at large!....

Giant Pearl Jewelry by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel.  Photo:  Mario Testino for Vogue France, 2014

Pearl sneakers by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel

Pearl shoes by Oscar de la Renta at the Golden Globes

Perfect for Spring, Mother's Day and always.

Wearing one of my wide FLEUR collars at 'Night Music' charity event hosted by Trudy Labell Fine Art

Enjoy,

Owner and Founder of Antalya Designs

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