Black Pearl Earrings

Black pearl does a different job in an earring than white. White pearl lights up the face; black pearl frames it. With your hair down a black earring is less noticed; with your hair up it gives a clear contrast.

Mostly in Baroque Form

A good part of the black pearls in this category are Baroque, meaning not round. Enora, Ella and Marley are in that group.

Put black and baroque together and you get the form that stands furthest from a classic pearl earring. The surface of a black pearl throws back green and purple reflections, and in baroque form those land in a different place on every piece, so the earring shifts as it moves.

The Size Difference

Avery at 11-12 mm holds the largest pearl in this category. It sits prominently on the ear, almost as if designed to come forward when the hair is up.

Black Pearl Ball Earrings No.5 is a stud, so it sits on the lobe and doesn't dangle. If you want the same colour for everyday wear, this is the right place.

Metal Options

There are three metals. Gold plated brass is the most affordable group, with Enora, Marley and Gloria in it. 925 sterling silver is for sensitive ears. Gold plated sterling silver gives the gold colour on a silver base, and Avery and Ella are made that way.

Black Pearl Ball Earrings No.5 comes in both gold and silver, for anyone who wants to see the same earring in two metals.

Gold or Silver

Black pearl sets up a strong contrast with gold, the two pushing against each other and both coming forward. With silver the result is calmer and reads more as a single piece.

If you already wear gold jewellery, the gold plated side fits in. If you wear silver, the 925 silver models are more consistent.

The Difference Between Day and Evening

Black pearl is a stone that changes a lot with the light. In daylight it stays dark and plain; in evening light the green and purple reflections on its surface come forward.

That means two different looks from one pair of earrings. It's a practical quality for anyone who doesn't want to change earrings between the office and dinner. On white pearl the shift isn't nearly as marked.

In short

• The furthest from the classical style: Baroque, Enora, or Marley.
• The most prominent: 11–12 millimeters, Avery.
• Everyday: the stud form, Black Pearl Ball Earrings No.5.
• Sensitive ears: 925 sterling silver.
• All the black pearl pieces: black pearl collection.