Ask Angie: faux pearls vs. real ones - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: faux pearls vs. real ones

Aziraphale

Veteran

I'm asking Angie, because you are the queen of pearls, but I'm happy to hear comments from everyone.

So, I used to be firmly on Team Necklace, until about five or six years ago, when metals started to irritate the skin on my neck, causing itching and sometimes even a rash. I've had to stop wearing them.

Yesterday, while my daughter was playing in my jewellery box (do you remember doing that as a little girl? Ah, memories), a strand of coffee-coloured faux pearls that I inherited from my grandmother caught my eye. On a whim I tried them on. They aren't real, but they are nice quality -- smooth, lustrous and heavy. They felt comfortable against my skin. I decided to wear them out that night as an experiment. I had them on all evening and NO itching, NO rash! I actually forgot they were there.

So of course, I am now considering adding pearls to my look. I'm very excited to wear necklaces again! But I know nothing about them. I'm not going to be running out to buy real ones, of course, but where might I find nice fakes? My grandma's are pretty nice, actually. And I sort of like that they are brown. They're obviously antiques, though. How do I judge good faux pearls? Must I look for them in consignment shops? I'm not much of a thrifter. I don't even know where to start.

And do you have any tips on how to wear them? Last night I wrapped them around my neck twice, so they were high up on my collarbone, and just peeking out my open shirt collar. I liked how it looked. How else could I wear them? I like long and knotted on tall, small-busted women, but on me I bet that would either make me look like a hobbit, or else every time I turn I'd lasso one boob.

ETA also, are there guidelines about the size of pearls? Do huge ones look goofy on small women? Or can anyone wear them?

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Aziraphale

shiny

Veteran

Angie's the pearl expert alright!! I am a pearl girl too, as it gives a shot of white to lighten up any look. I've got real pearls and costume pearls, and I can assure you that faux pearls are just as nice, and you don't need to spend a lot of money. I forget all the pearl details (cultured, fresh water, ideal size etc etc) so I'll leave that to Angie, but will just say that I have the best luck pearl-hunting at Macy's or similar department stores. I think I spent no more than $50 on my favorite strand, but it was awhile ago. They are down to pennies per wear now. I would recommend hunting in person, rather than online, as you'll know quality fakes when you touch them and can feel the heft.

As for the boob lasso, that happens to me all the time too, as I'm not small busted. I still wear long strands anyway. Often I'll take a long strand and just knot it, so the knot lays between the V of my neckline. Eliminates lassos. I have not been able to get Angie's pearl tying trick to quite work on me -- I suspect I need slightly smaller pearls to pull it off -- but I just take the extra long strand and wrap it three times and leave it at that. Another look I like to play with is to pin a brooch to the strand.

If you're sensitive to metals, be wary of the clasps. You could always get the clasp replaced; that'd be easy to do. Or, look for pearls that are fastened with a ribbon. I believe J Crew frequently specializes in that sort of look, so you might check there as well.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Wow, thanks, Shiny! That's very helpful. I never thought about the metal clasps. And what is Angie's pearl tying trick? I'll have to do a quick search of the website, I think.

shiny

Veteran

Here you go:

http://youlookfab.com/2010/11/.....of-pearls/

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Elisabeth, another option can be freshwater pearls. They are not very expensive either: I got a long strand which can be wrapped 3 times around my neck for $20 at Winners. Usually there is quite a selection at Winners, you should check it out. They are a bit uneven, not uniform like expensive pearls but this makes them more casual and wearable IMO.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Thanks, Sveta! I do like freshwater pearls. My favourite-ever piece of jewellery is one of those Chen Lu bracelets that you wrap around your wrist five times. Mine is made of brown leather and small gray freshwater pearls. It's my go-to bracelet! So I would definitely consider freshwater pearl necklaces. But you're right, it's a different, more casual look. Which would probably work well for me, actually.

Aziraphale

Veteran

...and Shiny, thanks for the link to the video of Angie knotting her pearls! But gosh, that looks way beyond my capabilities. I think I'd end up strangling myself. I can see the headlines: "Suburban housewife, 40, found dead in bathroom wearing chaotically knotted strand of pearls"

Kim

Veteran

I found a nice opera length strand at Ann Taylor, it was about $30.00 or so. Could be wrapped around about 3 times I'd say and still have a nice length.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I have two strands of shell pearls that I purchased on e-bay. I believe one set is 8mm and 70" (creamy white) and the second is 10mm and 80". They are almost indistinguishable from real pearls and have the weight of real pearls. I think Angie did a blog post on pearls that included an instructional video on knotting the longer strands.

I love the pearls. I can wear them as a double long strand or shorter triple. They go with everything.

ETA: I found a thread with a link to the video.
http://youlookfab.com/search-r.....j482323j15

moira

Veteran

I love pearls. I have a beautiful double strand of real pearls that I inherited from my mom and I am kind of afraid to wear them. I would just die if something happened to them because of the value, but more because of the sentiment attached to them. That's my issue and I need to try to get past that
I also have some faux pearls and freshwater, multi colored strands. They really add so much to a basic T and jeans or a simple dress. The ones I wear the most are a strand of very large faux really big Tahitian pearls that add a touch of both funk and elegance to a very simple outfit. I wore them this week with that hot pink skirt that was featured here and I also purchased, with a black sleeveless shell and jeweled wedge flip flops. It added just the right touch to a very simple outfit.
Pearls add light around your face. I would still recommend going to consignment and vintage stores because the quality will be much higher then what you can purchase that is newly manufactured.

Anonymous

I love the way pearls feel on my neck! I have one real strand that's thirty inches long and can be doubled but I often feel like it's not quite working for me. The pearls are a little too small maybe? Anyway, I love Angie's choker strand of gumball sized pearls.

When we were in NY last weekend we were in the diamond district getting my watch fixed and a ring sized. I tried on a strand of large round freshwater pearls (like Angie's) and was quoted a price of $500. I think the shell pearls might cost less, but they didn't have any. My next job is to find some costume ones, but they usually don't come any shorter than 18" and I need 15 or 16". It's hard to play around with them to see how they'll lie at the neckline when they're the wrong length. I'll have to watch this thread for info too!

Gee Elisabeth, first button front shirts and now pearls? Are you coming over to the preppy side? *wink*

sarah

Veteran

Elisabeth, Angie does recommend the faux pearls from Nordstrom's - they are glass, so that's probably why you don't react to them. I don't see the exact ones at the moment, but if you search for "glass pearls", you'll find nice faux pearl necklaces.

Thistle

Veteran

There are also Swarovski pearls. They have excellent heft, great color, and that subtle sheen of pearls. You could try stringing them yourself, or look through easy/eBay to find a strand. If you do string yourself or buy from an etsy seller, you can make sure the clasp is one you won't react to.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I don't have any recommendations re: where to get the 'good' pearls (real or faux) but wanted to mention that pearls are strung on silk or nylon bead cord, with knots tied in between each pearl, which is why they might not bother you as much as other jewellery might, if you have a sensitivity to certain metals. The clasp will be metal though - and I would recommend a sterling silver pearl clasp or at least a 14K gold clasp if you're extra-sensitive to metals on your skin. That said, because pearls aren't like a choker and because you're not going to be wearing them day in, day out - you might not need to worry about the clasp at all in terms of skin irritation.

I'm also somewhat sensitive to jewellery and have found that pearls (real or faux) never bother me, and I suspect it's because I'm not wearing them every single day like I might a favourite pair of earrings, and further - they aren't pressing against my skin in the same way that a tight watch or earrings might. So, in this respect - you're probably good to go!

Pearls are a very good choice for anyone who has a sensitivity to metals in necklaces, because they are strung on silk or nylon cord, and the only real metal piece is the clasp, which just hangs there very loosely - ie. not pressed up against your skin for hours and hours at a time with no room to breathe, if that makes sense.

Enjoy the pearls!

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

I'm posting this first since no one has yet, then i'll go back and read the comments. I loooooove pearls too! over the past decade the landscape of pearls has undergone a revolutions - 'farmed' pearls are much cheaper than ever before, better quality, and come in absolutely stunning varieties which could never be farmed before. It's a whole new world, and faux vs. real is no longer the real divide it once was.

http://passagedesperles.blogspot.com/

Duchesses of Passage des Perles is an older canadian style blogger with an obsessive love of pearls. I cannot recommend reading her pearl posts enough for a comprehensive intro. to buying and choosing pearls at all budgets. She covers all budgets and many many styles of pearls, including unusual ones like keishi and pondslime (heehee! love that name!).

http://passagedesperles.blogsp.....bel/pearls

You can even send her a budget and your requirements and she will shop for you online. I'm with Duchesses - faux is fun, but nothing is as entrancing as real pearl lustre. These days they are so affordable there's no reason to not have fun! stpeh

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sorry to chime in late, Elisabeth. Sounds like the ladies have you sorted though. Pearls are part of my style soul, although I hardly wear necklaces at all anymore as I am sporting a jewelry free style.

Let me know if you have further questions.

eperdu

I also want to chime in here for Honora pearls .. they have some amazing jewelry in different colors of pearls. QVC sells them for reasonable prices. I like their jewelry specifically because it isn't the typical "oh she's wearing pearls" look. Here's a link to a bracelet that I love.

http://www.qvc.com/Honora-Cult.....?$uslarge$

Aziraphale

Veteran

Thanks for chiming in, everyone! There's lots of information for me to explore. Before this, pearls had never really been on my radar. Not that they are not pretty, because of course they are, but because I guess in my mind they belong to a different, I don't know..."style family", maybe? But I think I can make it work. It's good to know that if I end up really liking them, one day I might be able to get real ones that are not through-the-roof expensive. For now I'll give the faux pearls a try, and you have given me an idea of where to start. I didn't even realize they were made of glass!

Claire, you make me giggle. I guess I must have some deeply-buried preppy style tendencies. Some of the stuff in the J. Crew catalogue certainly appeals to me, which must say something.

Steph, I think I need pondslime pearls. What a fantastic name.

VC, I seem to be sensitive to all metals, but only around my neck. I can wear earrings and bracelets made of anything. It must be a physical, not chemical, problem. I think pearls work because they are just about the smoothest thing you can get, so there's no abrasion against the sensitive skin on my neck. As for the clasp, you're right, it doesn't even really touch your skin.