The Best Contemporary Pearl Earrings

Pearls have become a perennial favorite once again. Jewelry designers re-enlivened them; they no longer have the rep of prim, proper or preppy. Even those that hark back to the past or antiquity have become part of the desirable pearl offerings. Today you can find pearl earrings that include elegant, edgy, poetic, playful, dressed up or down, and all look current yet with staying power. None are boring or basic, yet they won’t be here today and gone tomorrow, making them an excellent Mother’s Day gift. Even when the pearls weren’t having a moment, they were the earrings that women turned to in a pinch. Today they are the earrings that inspire gifting one and keeping a pair for yourself.

Katherine Jetter’s 18K yellow gold White South Sea Pearl Cage Chain Basket Earrings with pave diamonds offer swing, movement and playful air to longer pearl earrings.

Assael’s South Sea Cultured Baroque Pearl and Diamond drop earrings will be the go-to earrings for mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters—any woman you are gifting for Mother’s Day.

Gwen Barba 18K gold Bloom Drop Earrings feature a matte finish and articulated branches punctuated with Akoya pearl centers. The Bloom Drop Earrings offer the subtle movement of a flower swaying in a light spring breeze.

Nikos Koulis 18K white gold Spectrum Pearl and Diamond Earrings with pearls and tapered white diamonds offer an ultra-modern feel dressed up or down and are on target with today’s trends yet are a timeless style that can be worn and handed down.

Reza’s 18K rose gold, pearl and diamond Ruban Earrings are alluring swirls of pearls and diamonds—chic, sophisticated, expertly crafted and fun to wear.

Renato Cipullo’s 18K gold Pearl Tesoro earrings are part of the designer’s heritage which he infuses into his Romantica Collection. The collection, including these earrings are reminiscent of Ancient Rome and the Renaissance period motifs of nymphs, griffons, dragonflies, and geometric elements. The earrings are rejuvenated with freshwater pearls, cultured pearls and natural color diamonds for all women drawn to designs, elements and symbolism of the past but prefer contemporary pieces to antiques .

Mason and Books Scattered Love Hoops 14K gold with pearls and stations of small bezel diamonds are a circular take on classic pearls in versatile hoop earrings.

Pacharee hand sculpted 18K yellow gold, baroque pearl and diamond earrings offer a naturalistic feeling in the placement of the diamonds and the shape of the pearl. They are the type of earrings that will endure and are ultra-wearable for myriad occasions.

Sydney Evan’s 14K yellow gold evil eye bead earrings feature pavé-set diamonds with fresh water pearls and lend the symbolism of protection and a stylistic approach to what could have been a basic jewel.

Anita Ko’s 18K gold pave diamond Coil Earrings with pearl ends are a winning combination of edgy and elegant, mixing high style with a streamlined design.

Estate Diamond Jewelry’s Mendham Earrings Art Deco-inspired platinum earring. Two South Sea pearls are set on a rim of onyx accented by geometric sections of old European cut diamonds. A pair of on-the-lobe earrings that any woman would love.