A classic addition to any fashion conscious woman’s jewelry stand would be a round pearl necklace.

Pearls have come to represent perfection and purity, and the opalescent splendor of a pearl can stand alone against any of the known gemstones today.  An iridescent round pearl is somehow more softly feminine than the harsher brilliance of a transparent diamond.  The luster of a pearl exudes elegance and charm, which is why almost every rich and famous woman has chosen strings of pearls to grace her jewelry stand.

Even famous artists recognized the beauty in the splendor of a round pearl.  In his most famous painting, the Girl with a Pearl Earring, Dutch painter, Johannes Vermeer depicts a young girl looking over her shoulder, showing just one side of her head, and in her ear is a large, round pearl earring.  The pearl in this painting is very special, as it is created in just two brushstrokes, a bright accent on its upper left and the reflection of a white collar on its underside.  The very simplicity of how the artist created the effect of this pearl is symbolic of the classic simplicity of natural pearls themselves. Pearls were highly regarded in the 17th century as a status symbol, and Vermeer’s women were almost all adorned with pearls.

Pearls are soft and easily scratched or damaged, so when not being worn, the safest place for them is on the jewelry stand.  Placed in a jewelry box or drawer with other jewelry may result in scratches or dents in the surface of the pearl.  Should your round pearl necklace become dull or damaged, the best treatment is to submerge it under water for a few minutes and after drying it with a soft cloth, polish the round pearls lightly with a chamois leather cloth.  This should restore their color, luster and iridescence without any risk of damage. Do not place your jewelry stand in bright sunlight, as this, too has been known to change the color of pearls.