The Unisex Pearl Necklace: The Returning Trend

The pearl is making a comeback, and not just on women's necks. Long relegated to the realm of somewhat safe classics, it returns driven by a generation that is reinventing it: shorter, more raw, mixed with stones and colors, and embraced equally by men and women.

“The pearl does not age; it is passed down. Every generation believes it has invented it.”

Here is why it is returning, the types of pearls to know, how to wear it for both women and men, and a French brand embodying this new wave.

Why the Pearl is Returning

For a long time, the pearl suffered from an overly strict image, associated with the classic single-strand pearl necklace. That era has passed.

Today's pearl is worn differently. Choker style rather than long, mixed with natural stones, paired with silver or gold, worn layered or alone over an open shirt. It has left the realm of ceremonial jewelry to enter everyday life.

This return is explained by a general appetite for the natural and the authentic. The pearl is a living material, born inside an oyster, never entirely identical from one piece to another. At a time when handmade and sustainable matters, it checks every box.

Above all, the pearl has become unisex and timeless. It never goes out of style, transcends generations, and is worn today just as well by women as by men. This is what makes it a safe piece of jewelry, both to give and to treat oneself.

The Types of Pearls to Know

Not all pearls are equal, and a few reference points help understand what one is buying.

The cultured pearl is the most common. It is born in an oyster, with human assistance introducing a graft to trigger pearl formation. Natural yet assisted, it offers the best value for money.

The natural pearl, or oriental pearl, forms entirely on its own inside the mollusk without any human intervention. It is the original pearl, now exceedingly rare and very expensive, as most pearls on the market are now cultured pearls.

The freshwater pearl is cultivated in river and lake mussels. More accessible, available in an infinity of shapes and shades, it is the favorite of contemporary designers for its freedom of form.

The baroque pearl is not round. Irregular, tormented, unique, it has become the darling of recent fashion precisely because it breaks away from the perfect pearl of yesteryear.

The Tahitian pearl, the Akoya pearl, and the South Sea pearl are the most prestigious: respectively grey, white and lustrous, and large white or golden, they command the highest prices. They are reserved for exceptional pieces.

One final point of reference: beware of imitation pearls (glass, plastic, or reconstituted mother-of-pearl), which have nothing to do with a real pearl. An authentic pearl has a slight texture to the touch and is never perfectly smooth. Serious brands always specify that they use no imitations.

How to Wear the Pearl Necklace for Women

The pearl sheds its conservative image the moment it is worn with casualness.

The choker is the length of the moment, worn over an open collar, a t-shirt, or a shirt. It instantly rejuvenates the pearl. The long rope necklace is also making a comeback, worn over knitwear or a dress for a more bohemian effect.

The trick that changes everything: layering, superimposing several necklaces of different lengths and materials, mixing pearls and fine chains. The classic aspect is broken by associating the pearl with silver, stones, or a more rugged piece.

Today, the pearl is worn day or night, with jeans as well as with formal attire. This freedom is what drives its return.

The Pearl Necklace for Men

This is the true novelty: the pearl is now worn by men, and the momentum is not slowing down.

Worn as a choker over a plain t-shirt or an open shirt, the men's pearl necklace brings a touch that is both soft and assertive. It is chosen shorter, often mixed with smaller pearls or combined with black pearls and dark stones for a less classic finish.

The spirit remains minimalist: a single piece, worn with confidence, is enough. It is jewelry that makes itself noticed without shouting, in tune with a men's wardrobe that increasingly embraces jewelry. We discuss this further in our guide to men's jewelry.

Daïquiri Paris, the Pearl Reinvented

At Orzyla, we love to discover the creators who are shaking up jewelry. Among the brands driving the renaissance of the pearl, Daïquiri Paris perfectly illustrates this new generation of jewelry.

Born in 2022 in a Parisian apartment, the brand was founded by Pauline and Paul, two enthusiasts who crafted jewelry in their spare time before making it their profession. The name, borrowed from the cocktail, echoes mixology and its infinite possibilities of blending. This is the very spirit of the brand: pieces that can be combined and layered at will, in a mix-and-match approach, with the desire to create jewelry that is both timeless, modern, and colorful.

What distinguishes Daïquiri, first and foremost, is an assumed French foundation. All pieces are designed and handcrafted in Paris, using carefully selected natural materials: freshwater pearls, fine and natural stones, 925 silver, without any imitation pearls or stones. The colors of the jewelry are those of the materials themselves.

The style is minimalist, colorful, and unisex. Necklaces, bracelets, and rings are worn just as well by women as by men. Two finishes structure the collections: 925 silver for a bright, contemporary look, and 14-karat gold-plated for a warmer, more precious touch, without the price of solid gold.

Among their collections, one series stands out for its originality: the Glow, phosphorescent jewelry. The pearls, named Hotaru after the firefly in Japanese, capture the light by day and take on a soft glow once night falls. Necklaces and bracelets are worn like a classic pearl necklace by day, and reveal their luminescence in the dark. A playful nod that contrasts with the conservative image of the pearl, perfectly demonstrating the brand's spirit: reinventing a classic without betraying it. In fact, some pieces combine both of the brand's assets, such as a bracelet pairing 14-karat gold-plating with phosphorescent pearls, precious by day and luminous by night.

This is precisely what the return of the pearl tells us about: an ancient material, brought up to date by designers who make it modern, wearable, and free.

How to Care for Your Pearls

The pearl is fragile, more so than most stones, and requires certain precautions.

It fears chemicals, perfumes, and cosmetics, which dull its luster. The golden rule: put your pearl necklace on last, after perfume and makeup, and take it off first in the evening.

Pearls should be wiped with a soft cloth or rinsed with clear water after each wear to remove traces of skin. Store them flat, away from light, never in a closed plastic bag which dries them out. And avoid seawater, swimming pools, and cleaning chores while wearing your pearls.

Well-treated, a pearl necklace can be passed down across several generations. It is enduring jewelry, provided it is respected.

Our Verdict

The pearl necklace is back, stripped of its strict image, worn short, mixed with stones, embraced by women and men alike. Cultured, freshwater, or baroque, the key is to wear it casually, layered or alone over an open collar. Brands like Daïquiri Paris embody this revival, making pearls modern and unisex. Ancient jewelry, trendy once more, and made to be passed down.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the pearl necklace really trendy? Yes, the pearl is experiencing a strong comeback, worn in a much more casual way than before: choker style, mixed with stones, layered, and now also by men. It has left its classic image behind to enter daily life.

What is the difference between a cultured pearl and a freshwater pearl? The cultured pearl is born in an oyster with human assistance. The freshwater pearl is cultivated in river and lake mussels, is more accessible, and comes in numerous shapes and shades. Both are natural.

Can a man wear a pearl necklace? Yes, it is even one of the major current trends in men's jewelry. Worn as a choker over a t-shirt or an open shirt, often mixed with smaller pearls or dark stones, it brings a modern touch.

How do you care for a pearl necklace? Put it on last, after perfume and makeup, and take it off first in the evening. Wipe it with a soft cloth after each wear, store it flat away from light, and avoid water and chemicals.

Where can you find modern pearl necklaces? French brands like Daïquiri Paris offer handmade freshwater pearls in a minimalist and unisex spirit, far from the classic image of the pearl strand. You can find necklaces, bracelets, and rings for her and for him.