So, I now have friends phoning in fashion trends. This week, Michele called to report that both the client and the stylist on the photo shoot she was producing were wearing a classic jewelry staple: pearls. Stylists are always a good indicator, as they are the ones dressing the celebs and setting the trends.

Pearls are one of the earliest known gems to be coveted by man. Long before diamonds and gold were discovered and mined, pearls already were highly prized and traded — more than 5,000 years ago. During the Crusades, dashing knights wore pearls into battle, believing that this sea-born gem would protect them from harm and misfortune.


Perhaps these starlets feel the same safety from their pearls. Ashlee Simpson, Katherine Heigl and Sarah Jessica Parker (pictured above) wear them well, keeping their other accessories minimal.

Some key things to look for when choosing a pearl include:

LUSTER
The combination of a pearl's surface brilliance and its deep-seated glow. High quality pearls should be bright, glowing and able to clearly reflect objects near them.

SURFACE/SHAPE
A fine pearl should be virtually absent of spots, bumps or cracks. The rounder, more symmetrical a pearl is, the more valuable it will be. Baroque pearls are ones that are asymmetrical, can be lustrous and appealing, and often cost less than round pearls.

COLOR
Pearls come in a range of colors from rose to black. Color is a matter of personal preference, although rose or silver/white pearls tend to look best on fair skins, while cream and gold-tones pearls are more flattering to darker complexions.

SIZE
Cultured pearls are measured in millimeters. The larger the pearl, the more valuable it will be. The most popular sizes sold today are between 7 and 7 1/2 mm.


A pearl's size and shape depend on the species of mollusk that produced the pearl, how long it took to form, the size and shape of the nucleus and where the pearl formed inside the animal. A pearl's size and shape reflect such variables as the temperature and chemistry of the water, as well as the health of the mollusk.


I invested in some Mikimoto pearl earrings 10 years ago, and they continue to serve as a staple for more conservative outfits and formal occasions. Recently, my friend gifted me a Tahitian pearl necklace (like those pictured above). The black sheen is gorgeous and works well for more casual outfits when strung on a leather band.

You can’t go wrong with the classics, and pearls certainly qualify as such. Be it a gift for your girl or for yourself, consider adding pearls to your collection!