Best pearl earrings

Pearls have had a perennial place in the history of jewellery.

The adornment of choice for royals that include Princess Diana (and now the Duchess of Cambridge), pearls have long stood for love, purity and wisdom as a gift from the gods.

While it does not get much more traditional than pearl jewellery, pieces featuring the long sought-after gems are shedding its old fashion reputation in favour of high-fashion iterations that are giving us serious lobe envy.

Lustrous pearl earrings are also dominating our social feeds and street style roundups – but these are not your traditional earrings that you will find in your grandma’s jewellery box.

Taking a contemporary approach to the classic style, you will find unconventional and boundary-breaking designs alongside classic studs.

Mismatched earrings are also still a major trend, so mix up your pearls and wear a drop earring with a stud or pair with the aforementioned matching necklace and hair accessories for a maximalist take on a traditional parure.

Pearl earrings will make a sustainable addition to your jewellery collection as the timeless pieces surpass the notion of trend for ear candy that you will wear them for a very long time.

See our favourites.

A favourite with the style set, these Salome earrings are minimalistic ear candy. The brand’s designs take inspiration from architectural and natural references where each piece is handmade with natural semiprecious or precious stones.

£45 | Salome

London-based label Soru takes inspiration from Sicilian jewellery with pieces that prove the bigger, the better. Turning a classic on its head, the hoops are embellished with crystal and baroque pearls on an 18kt yellow gold-vermeil-plated sterling silver setting.

£145 | Harvey Nichols

This elegant hoop and drop pearl combination set from Annoushka will make the ideal finishing touch to your black tie look with an ornate design. The earrings feature freshwater pearls and two rows of 0.34ct graduated diamonds set on 18ct white gold.

£1,825 | Annoushka

With a contemporary take on a traditional string of pearls, Astley Clarke has reformed the classic style as earrings. The drop set is made up of an 18 karat yellow gold vermeil chain with the embellishment of white cultured freshwater pearls.

£110 | Astley Clarke

Tapping in to the pearl earring trend does not need to cost an arm and a leg. Oliver Bonas offer these textural designs that mark a versatile piece that you can wear for both the office as well as your weekend plans.

£34 | Oliver Bonas

A pair of stud earrings is a staple piece in any jewellery collection. These earrings from Thomas Sabo prove that you can’t go wrong with the classics. They feature a freshwater pearl detail.

£98 | Thomas Sabo

These drop earrings from Becca Jewellery combine the designer’s love for trinkets and coins with a baroque-style pearl. The piece features a swallow embossed design composed of 22ct yellow gold plated silver and is available either as a single or a pair.

£145 | Becca Jewellery

London label Alighieri is already worn by some of the most stylish women. Provoking ultimate lobe envy, the earrings are handmade to order and are created through the process of wax casting that creates a rippled medallion-like effect.

£350 | Alighieri

These elegant earrings will have you dreaming of your next cocktail party. The celestial-inspired design brings an old school glamour to your jewellery collection. A sterling silver setting is adorned with white cubic zirconia, 24k vermeil detailing and baroque pearls to create a twinkling, ornate pair.

£376 | Harvey Nichols