Would you wear these old pearls and if so how?

[stacy_natalie]

IF you are considering restringing and wanted to change up the look, I noticed a few things on line that inspired ideas.... looks like many designer brands have costume strand of pearls with their logo in metal mixed in as a focal point. I imagine you could do something similar if you had or purchased something meaningful you'd like to incorporate (an initial, birthstone, favorite flower, insect if you like bees or butterflies or whatever). David yurman has a couple that incorporated metal and diamonds only over one small section of the strand or you could restring to incorporate another stone or metal in between the pearls. The yurman design also gave idea that you could restring as one long necklace that could be worn long or also doubled up (if this is not already the case) to offer more versatility. I'm attaching photos so you can see what I'm trying to describe. I'm a little obsessed with the Michael Aram one.

ETA: While I don't personally love the Tiffany & Co one I am including just to show that pairing with another necklace is definitely on trend.

 

[forgetmenot301]

What good ideas! And because I misunderstood at first, your post actually gave me an extra idea! lol! At first I thought you meant to wear the clasp in front instead of in the back and I think that is actually cute. Especially if the clasp is kind of set to the side so that the longer strand is still able to hang lower (like in the pic below). The clasp is actually really cute and has a little pearl set onto it, so is a shame to hide under hair. I assume it was made cute because back in the 50s women wore their hair short, so the clasp would have been seen.

I have a lot of pendants, but none with an attachment that would work on this necklace. I could possibly modify something if it will look really good. It might be easier though to keep my eyes open for something new that will work as a pendant.

Thanks!

View attachment 6024025

I actually did mean wear it backwards! I always wear my chain one backwards and use the clasp to attach charms! You’ll see what I mean in my photo below. It’s a fun way to switch up jewelry. They also sell what are called charm enhancers to clip charms onto necklaces like pearl necklaces or thick chain necklaces. Have fun styling!!

 

[Berengeria]

You noted "I wonder if the size and color were not just economic decisions but also to convey their authenticity." Oh, that was definitely the case! Large white pearls were considered to be signs of fake pearls. Small yellowish ones...authentic.

What a wonderful story you have behind these pearls! Do you know the time frame during which they were purchased? In the 1950s? 1960s? For me they evoke the pearls that women bought when young women wore sweater sets (1950s) or women with discrete social cachet (1950s-1970s) wore them to diners. They were also the sort of pearls women traditionally wore with their wedding dresses well into the 1980s.

They really are a treasure, and I know you'll think of your grandparents whenever you wear them.

That's really cool to know. Thanks so much for your insights! I now know even more about the history of the necklace.

My mom said they were purchased in the late 50s when my grandfather's career started rising and they were able to afford a few nicer things. My grandfather adored my grandmother so he would definitely have wanted her to have beautiful things if she wanted them. She didn't want much as she was a very practical mid-western, no-nonsense kind of gal, but what woman didn't want pearls in the 50s and 60s?

 

[A1aGypsy]

I just wanted to say thank you for sharing such a beautiful story. So many valuable lessons in the history of those pearls.

Also, I love the clasp showing and please, I beg of you, don’t change the design. They are perfect and such a wonderful timeless piece (and I NEVER say this kind of stuff!) Also, stringing pearls longer really runs the risk that they get caught on something and break apart and then you will lose them.

 

[Berengeria]

I just wanted to say thank you for sharing such a beautiful story. So many valuable lessons in the history of those pearls.

Also, I love the clasp showing and please, I beg of you, don’t change the design. They are perfect and such a wonderful timeless piece (and I NEVER say this kind of stuff!) Also, stringing pearls longer really runs the risk that they get caught on something and break apart and then you will lose them.

Thank you so much!

Don't worry about me changing the form. First of all, they are sentimental as they are. I feel like changing them would strip some of their character. Also, the pearls are so small that they really wouldn't be a very impressive single strand. They kind of need to be double-stranded like they are in order to have enough visual impact.

Besides, if I changed them I think my mother would disown me.

 

[Aletheia]

The pearls look absolutely lovely as they are, I would never change them, especially if your grandparents chose this particular design, shape and color and your grandmother loved the necklace as it is.
Just one thought to give you another perspective - why try to style them in a more modern way to match the current trends? If I had seen someone with the modern necklaces posted above, I would not look twice since these designs are very common, even though they are pleasant to the eye. But a necklace like yours would capture my attention because it looks unique and stands out from the rest.

 

[snibor]

Would I wear it? Probably not. I am not a pearl fan but that’s me. I am, however, a huge fan of wearing meaningful jewelry. There is a history, a closeness to family. I agree I wouldn’t change it. Just wear it. I like the idea of wearing casually. Everytime you put on the necklace you’ll think of your grandparents. How you wore them in your photo is perfect.