In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s a hot new trend in men’s fashion. Look around and you won’t be able to miss it: from celebrities to college students, guys have embraced pearl jewelry in a big way.
In this blog, we’ll give you some background information on the men’s pearl jewelry trend, answer some frequently asked questions about pearl jewelry, and give you a few recommendations for pearl jewelry styling tips.
Why Are Guys Wearing Pearls?
There are plenty of reasons for guys to love pearls! From their versatility to their symbolic meaning, here are a few of the top reasons why men are embracing pearl jewelry:
- Versatile Style: Long considered a classic choice for women’s jewelry, pearls are beloved for their versatility. Easy to style with either formal looks or casual wear, pearls add an effortless touch of refinement to any outfit. Plus, pearls come in neutral colors that are easy to mix and match with your wardrobe. Their unique natural beauty is undeniable.
- Symbolic Significance: Beyond their aesthetic appeal, pearls have a hidden meaning. They have a long history of representing wealth, wisdom, and status. Across cultures, pearls are associated with positive traits and positive energy. Plenty of guys appreciate the pearl’s significance and wear it to bring some good vibes into their own lives.
- Famous Faces: In recent years, celebrities and influencers have also boosted pearl jewelry’s popularity. Style icons like Harry Styles and Jaden Smith have proudly rocked pearl necklaces at major events, turning them into the new red-carpet staples. Since pearls are one of the most affordable gems on the market (another big bonus), it’s easy for guys of all ages to incorporate these trendy pieces into their own wardrobes.
- Modern Looks: Contemporary jewelry designers are leaning into the trend to create pearl pieces with a more traditionally masculine edge. Leather or metal accents and larger, bolder pearls give pearl jewelry for men a bold aesthetic. A pearl necklace or bracelet can elevate a sharp suit, while a pearl earring or bead-adorned bracelet can complement a relaxed look.
Where Do Pearls Come From?
Pearls, whether natural or cultured, are gemstones formed within the shells of oysters or other mollusks (like mussels). They are the only gemstone created by a living creature.
Pearls can occur naturally or be cultured on an oyster farm. Both natural pearls and cultured pearls are the result of the same process. When an irritant, such as a grain of sand, gets trapped in an oyster’s shell, the oyster secretes a substance called nacre. Nacre forms a protective barrier between the oyster and the irritant. Over months or years, the nacre thickens and accumulates to create a pearl.
Natural pearls are exceedingly rare. It is estimated that only one in 10,000 oysters contains a pearl! It’s a lot of work to find natural pearls. Oysters must be harvested from the ocean and methodically inspected for pearls.
Thankfully, pearls can also be cultured on oyster farms. The culturing process is far more easy and consistent than searching for pearls in the wild. To culture a pearl, oyster farmers place an irritant inside the oyster to start the pearl creation process.
Men’s Pearl Jewelry
Men today appreciate personal style and unique fashion choices that set them apart. Pearl jewelry allows guys to express their individuality and distinctive tastes, so it’s a no-brainer holiday gift for the trendy men in your life.
If you already wear men’s jewelry, adding pearls into the mix may be easy. But if you’re just starting to explore the world of men’s jewelry, you might not know where to begin. If you start with a few staple pearl pieces, you’ll be accessorizing confidently in no time.
Pearl Necklaces for Men
If you’re just diving into the world of pearls, men’s pearl necklaces are the place to start.
There are a million ways to style a men’s pearl necklace. Depending on how he wears it, a pearl necklace can be the focal point of a guy’s look, or a finishing touch to complement an eye-catching ensemble. Pearls can top off a suit with a polished touch or class up a casual combo–either way, they’re an effortless statement.
Pearl necklaces also have the distinct advantage of either looking fantastic on their own, or as part of a layered necklace stack. Pair them with a subtle chain or two for a fun mix of textures and let their bold, chunky silhouette steal the show.
Adding a pearl bracelet can create a cohesive, curated look, but pearl accessories can complement other types of men’s bracelets, earrings and rings, too. To instantly dress a look up or down, or to transition it from day to night, consider adding or subtracting other accessories as you see fit.
Black Pearl Necklaces
Black pearls are like white pearls’ rebellious cousins. They may be from the same family, but black pearls come with a little extra edge. All of the styling tips above apply to black pearl jewelry, but here are a few additional considerations for the pearl’s darker counterpart.
Black pearls offer plenty of opportunities to experiment with color and contrast. Offset their striking hue with lighter-toned accessories, like white stainless steel link bracelets or white diamond earrings. You can even throw white pearls into the mix if you’d like. Or, play with texture and add some depth to your look by layering with a chain or pendant.
At the same time, there’s something to be said for an all-black monochromatic look. Pair black pearls with a dark-colored shirt, pants and shoes to cultivate a little intrigue and turn heads in the process.
Men’s Pearl Bracelets
Men’s pearl bracelets offer a unique mix of sophistication and edge. Most men’s pearl bracelets feature larger-sized pearls in muted colors like black, gray, or white. These shades complement various outfits and exude a contemporary vibe, giving you room to dress them up or down and style them as you wish.
To balance the pearls with other textures and styles, pair your bracelet with other materials like leather or stainless steel. A leather wristband with pearl accents or a pearl bracelet with metallic beads can create an attractive blend of traditionally masculine jewelry and elegance.
Sometimes, though, less is more. A single pearl bracelet adds just the right touch to a formal suit without going overboard. For more casual looks, stack multiple pearl bracelets or mix them with beaded bracelets.
Ultimately, your style should reflect your personality. Don't be afraid to experiment with different pearl bracelet styles until you find the one that suits you best.
Men’s Pearl Jewelry with Robert Alton
Whether it’s a men’s pearl necklace or a men’s pearl bracelet, pearls have made their way into the realm of men's accessories. We hope this blog answered some of your burning questions about the men’s pearl jewelry trend, and gave you a few styling ideas in the process. The versatility of pearl jewelry knows no bounds, so embrace the opportunity to experiment with men’s pearl jewelry to express your unique style.