Pretty Pearls for a Sunny Spring Evening

Maybe it was because I was inspired by the post on pearls this week at Passage des Perles, or maybe it was because it has finally gotten sunny and warm here in LA
that I decided that these are my new favorite earrings. Here's the detail shot

And what's not to love about these 3.53 carats of yellow diamonds and 16mm gold South Sea pearls for just a t'wee bit less than of $10,000.

Ah....so I wonder, where should I go tonight to wear these pretty baubles?

Vintage Value Venture - Couture Allure On Sale

OK people pay attention here
The holidays are always about finding just the right gifts to please our family and friends. But the post Christmas week is a good to time find something wonderful for ourselves.
I know you all have some post holiday cash in hand....or you will as soon as you return that holiday sweater that you received as a gift that you will never wear, back to the department store.
Well Couture Allure Vintage is having an after Christmas Sale!
For me it's kinda a toss up for me between the vintage Oscar de la Renta evening gown with matching coat with mink collar and cuffs...because god knows that I lead such a formal life of galas and black tie events that I need an evening gown...
and this very wearable 1950s Mr. Blackwell cashmere and wool dress for $175!

Certainly the simple black dress will go better with a double strand of south sea pearls and my new favorite pair of south sea pearl and diamond earrings.

South Sea Pearl and Diamond Earrings

So this is what I've picked out....what are you going to get?

(Oh, and don't forget that Beladora's discount code is HOLIDAY09

till the end of the month)

A Primer on Pearls à la Duchesse

If you haven't already read the two part primer on pearls by la Duchesse
I encourage you to go and read these posts
Not only can she write
she really knows her stuff

Buying Pearls, part one
and
Buying Pearls, part two

She explains different types, Japanese, Chinese Freshwater and South Sea
and what you should look for when you buy them with a focus on quality.

Here's a pile of Chinese pearls with nice luster but uneven color and shapes
(they look better in real life than in this photo)
I wear two or three of these long strands when I am going for the Coco Chanel look

For the record, she discusses pearls when they are shown on black velvet
and she is perfectly correct that you should always check your pearls against white
but it is extraordinarily difficult to photograph pearls when they are not on a black surface.
so you will often see them in photographs on black, grey or blue

All of her tips hold true when you are purchasing not only new strands
but pre-owned pearls like these.
I especially like the vintage 7 strand necklace and matching earrings in this photo
and these and plenty more can be found at all price points
on Beladora.com and BeladoraII.com

Antique Natural Pearl Bracelet with Edwardian Diamond Clasp in Platinum $7750

She also discusses the finest of pearls, South Sea pearls which I adore
But true connoisseurs collect natural pearls like these.

I love pearls and have worn them since I was quite young, even when they were out of fashion. My first nice jewelry gift was an opera length strand of Mikimoto pearls. They are still around but now on a 5 strand bracelet.
Like fine quality gems, they last for a lifetime...if you take care of them.

Fringe Benefits - The Suite Life

Danielle, the Gem Gossip girl, has posted on the return of the gold fringe necklace...with photos of that stuff from those other guys.
Yeah guys, I'll take your gold fringe and raise you one
with diamonds and south sea and cultured pearls courtesy of Beladora

And...this necklace comes with matching earrings, bracelet and ring
isn't it suite?

Maserati Quattroporte - Sex on Wheels

I am sooo not a car person. For all I know about cars I could easily mistake a volvo for a hyundai. But there's one particular ride that I wouldn't mind rolling in...the Maserati Quattroporte. Seriously, this car is sex on wheels. Check out the new 2009 model.

So someday, when I get to take my fantasy ride, of course I'm going to be wearing Giorgio Armani from Neiman Marcus. Maserati and Armani, the best of Italian Design.

As long as I'm going for the best, why not add some Tahitian Pearl jewelry from Beladora.com.

Birkins, Manners and Pearls from Une Femme

Une femme has some great posts on Birkins, Manners and Pearls with thoughtful comments by her readers. Definitely worth reading.

Here are some classic and modern pearl earrings from Beladora.com.

Catholic School Girl Gone Wild

Seriously, can you ever have enough of that naughty Catholic schoolgirl look. I know I can't. On sale at Neiman Marcus online the best Burberry pleated skirt. Match it with this sexy Tahitian Pearl set from Beladora.com. The gentlemen in your life will be convinced that all those years with the nuns were worth it.