LEFT: necklace with freshwater pearls, sterling silver and oxidised silver.

I am working like mad at the moment to finish and photograph a few new designs, and have included this photograph as a sneak preview! I have used pearls in quite a few of my designs lately, particularly favouring cream/white freshwater pearls, in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Although it is now well known that pearls are produced by oysters in response to an irritant, many cultures have myths surrounding pearls and their formation; the two most common ideas suggest that pearls are either the tears of a gods/spirits/mythical creatures (Persia, Japan) or that they originate from rain/dewdrops (Ancient Rome and Greece, India). Within one country or culture it is not uncommon for more than one myth surrounding pearls to exist. I think one of the most fairytale-like myths is the one origionating from Persia that suggested that pearls were born when a rainbow met the earth, and that thunder was responsible for any irregularities seen in individual pearls.

In the designs that I am currently completing I have used white and cream pearls of a variety of sizes, both round pearls and potato pearls (ovoid, often slightly irregular). I will post more pictures soon!