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A lady with a love for literature and shiny things discusses books & bling.

Happy rainbow pearls to make you smile.

Over the past year or so, I’ve been increasingly drawn to vibrant, playful, happy styles. There’s a bit of 90’s nostalgia there (I was a Limited Too fanatic back in the day) but also I think it’s pretty easy to understand why I’ve felt the need for a happiness boost since 2020ish.

Today we’re going to look at rainbow pearls! I don’t mean that pearls are different colors – this style is usually done with creamy white pearls – but pearls paired with rainbow elements in different ways. It’s a wonderfully whimsical take on an iconic jewelry classic. Just what the doctor ordered for a little wearable joy.

Happy rainbow pearls to make you smile.

I love this long rainbow pearl necklace from Mined + Found! Freshwater hand-knotted pearls on rainbow silk.

I discovered Mined + Found recently when the brand sent me some images for a magazine feature. Their rainbow pearls are subtle and clever and oh so pretty. Rather than adding color with beads or gems, Mined + Found knots their pearls on vibrant rainbow silk, which creates a series of breathtaking bright peekaboo color between each pearl.

This is such a creative joyful take on the classic pearl necklace and I find it absolutely delightful. It’s also subtle and elegant enough that you could wear it in almost any situation.

This rainbow pearl bracelet from Mined + Found features hand-knotted freshwater pearls on rainbow silk.

With freshwater pearls on hand-knotted rainbow silk and real gold findings, Mined + Found is one of the more luxe interpretations of the rainbow pearl trend. It’s not cheap, but it won’t break the bank either: prices start around $200ish. They offer a variety of options, from classic style bracelets and necklaces as well as pieces with just one larger pearl on bare rainbow silk.

The brand also makes similar rainbow silk styles with opal or quartz beads and it’s super cool!

Visit Mined + Found here.

Rainbow pearls! This rainbow bead and pearl necklace is from Pearls by Mimmi.

This necklace is from Pearls by Mimmi, an artist based in Norway. I own this piece and I love it! (Here’s my unboxing.) I was drawn to this rainbow pearl necklace because I loved the color combination, the oblong shapes of the pearls, and the size variation between the beads and the pearls. They also offer similar styles in a variety of colorways, including blues, monochrome black/white, and bold primary colors.

I also loved that Pearls by Mimmi allowed for custom length ordering. Many of the rainbow pearl necklaces on Etsy or similar places are tiny chokers meant for trendy teens, 14-15 inches in length. My preferred necklace length is 18-20 inches, and the artist was happy to send me a custom 18 inch version of this beauty. I’ve been very happy with it.

Rainbow pearls! This rainbow bead and pearl bracelet is from Pearls by Mimmi. I love the touch of gold!

Here’s a bracelet from the same artist with a slightly different colorway. This one is more of a traditional rainbow but with some gold thrown in for sparkle. Understated enough to wear casually but still bright and happy.

Pearls by Mimmi’s rainbow pearl necklaces and bracelets are in the $20 – $50 range. Shipping from Norway to the US isn’t especially quick, but it was worth the wait to get exactly what I wanted.

Visit Pearls by Mimmi here.

The Coco baroque pearl bracelet by Fry Powers. I love these cheerful rainbow pearls!

Fry Powers is one of the OGs of the rainbow pearl trend. Their Coco collection uses gorgeously lumpy baroque pearls and rainbow enamel beads for a lush, organic look with pops of glossy color. These beauties have a lot more pearl than rainbow, making the pop of color a subtle one.

Fry Powers currently offers this style as a short collar necklace, long necklaces (34 inches), a bracelet, and an anklet. You could wear them with anything…rainbow pearl is basically a neutral, don’t you think?

Long rainbow pearl necklace and colorful enamel and pearl rings from Fry Powers.

I love that Fry Powers offers a long necklace. And I couldn’t resist including those colorful enamel and pearl rings, even though they’re not technically a rainbow on their own. Aren’t they great together??

These lovely baroque pearls and enamel beads mean that these rainbow pearls are solidly above average in luxury and they are priced accordingly ($300ish-$500ish).

Visit Fry Powers here.

Rainbow pearls by Mined + Found

What do you think of these rainbow pearls, my dear? Are you into it or do you prefer a more traditional pearl approach? Do you have any favorites here?

The rainbow pearl trend is on the summery side, but I do think that this bright, happy aesthetic could be translated into fall and winter too. I always love wearing bright colors in the colder months! My winter coat is electric Barbie pink.

See more rainbow jewelry here, more posts about pearls here or visit my Pearl Jewelry Pinterest board here.

All photos are c/o the maker of each piece.

Cheerful rainbow bead pearl bracelets from Pearls by Mimmi
Fry Powers pearl ring with neon blue enamel and baroque pearl. So fun!
Fry Powers pearl ring with neon pink enamel and baroque pearl. So fun!
Fry Powers pearl ring with neon yellow enamel and baroque pearl. So fun!
Mined + Found uses freshwater pearls and hand knotted rainbow silk to create beautiful rainbow pearl jewelry, like this pearl bracelet.
Mined + Found uses freshwater pearls and hand knotted rainbow silk to create beautiful rainbow pearl jewelry, like this pearl necklace.
Mined + Found uses hand knotted rainbow silk to create beautiful rainbow pearl jewelry, like these freshwater pearl necklaces.
Mined + Found uses hand knotted rainbow silk to create beautiful rainbow pearl jewelry, like these necklaces.
Mined + Found uses hand knotted rainbow silk to create these beautiful rainbow pearl necklaces.
Rainbow pearls!! This rainbow bead and pearl necklace is from Pearls by Mimmi.
The Coco baroque pearl bracelet by Fry Powers. I love these cheerful rainbow pearls!
The long Coco pearl necklace by Fry Powers. I love these cheerful rainbow pearls!
This cheerful rainbow bead and pearl necklace is from Pearls by Mimmi.

Jeweler Oliver Smith celebrates 40 years with dazzling jewels.

This year marks 40 years in the jewelry biz for jeweler Oliver Smith and he’s celebrating in the best possible way: by releasing two spectacular new collections! One is geometric with dazzling diamonds in innovative arrangements and the other is pure color brilliance with spectacular many-hued stones in classic styles.

Do you want to see? Of course you do!

Diamond jewels of the Cairn collection by Oliver Smith

Jeweler Oliver Smith celebrates 40 years with dazzling jewels.

Here’s a taste of the Cairn Collection. This all-diamond collection from Oliver Smith is noteworthy for the absolutely fresh way that it combines diamonds into unexpected shapes. Each piece is a delightful surprise, a beautiful and unique discovery.

An avid outdoorsman, Oliver Smith found the inspiration for Cairn’s distinctive lines while trekking along unmapped hiking trails. In the designer’s own words:

When you hike unmapped trails, sometimes the only way to figure out the route is to look for the cairn markers. Whenever I’m in Switzerland for the watch fairs I go hiking in Chamonix and Zermatt. There, the only way to figure out where the path is going is by studying the current formations. Rocks stacked on top of each other identify the path.”

There’s something so poignant about a collection inspired by the trail markers that a hiker leaves behind to help other strangers find their way through the wilderness.

Diamond necklaces from the Cairn collection by Oliver Smith

Aren’t these Cairn pendants cool? Each is subtle at first glance, but the eye delights in flitting across each piece’s bright angles and lines.

As a jewelry designer who has a strong connection to the outdoors, Oliver Smith is committed to using sustainable sourcing practices when possible. The Cairn collection features many reclaimed diamonds sourced from existing jewelry. Smith collects and recycles estate jewelry, carefully freeing up diamonds of different cuts, shapes, colors, sizes and clarity to set anew in the stunning Cairn pieces.

Beautiful colored sapphire and diamond jewels from the Oliver Smith Prism Collection

The second Oliver Smith collection we’re looking at today is also inspired by the outdoors, with a nod to the aesthetic of the 1970’s.

This is the Prism Collection. As the name suggests, Prism is all about the glory of color. Featuring a riot of exquisite natural sapphires and rubies in scintillating hues, the Prism collection’s highly-saturated stones are so gorgeous that their beauty pretty much defies description (although I’m going to give it my best shot).

Prism features earrings and necklaces as well, but my personal faves of the collection are the perfectly curated tennis bracelets. I have a soft spot for the one above, with its lovely pink, purple, and blue color scheme, but the best way I can explain how noteworthy these bracelets are is to show you a 360 view of this piece:

Sunset colored sapphire bracelet from the Oliver Smith Prism Collection.

Look at it! LOOK at it. With its perfectly matched stones arranged in flawless color gradation, this piece is a wearable slice of sunset sky. Look at it glow! Have you ever seen anything like this? I can’t imagine how inexpressibly gorgeous it must be in person when it catches the light.

Between Prism and Cairn, it’s very easy to understand how Oliver Smith has been successful in the jewelry business for so long. Happy 40 years, Oliver Smith!! Thanks for rocking our worlds with these incredible designs.

See more on the Oliver Smith website.

Beautiful sapphire and diamond bracelets from the Oliver Smith Prism Collection

All images c/o Oliver Smith. This sponsored post is brought to you by Oliver Smith Jeweler.

Two pairs of diamond hoop earrings from the Cairn collection by Oliver Smith
Two pairs of diamond earrings from the Cairn collection by Oliver Smith
Two diamond bracelets from the Cairn collection by Oliver Smith. So cool and geometric!
Two beautiful pairs of diamond earrings from the Cairn collection by Oliver Smith
Stunning sunset colored sapphire bracelets from the Oliver Smith Prism Collection.
Spectacular sunset colored sapphire tennis bracelets from the Oliver Smith Prism Collection.
Orange sapphire jewels from the Oliver Smith Prism Collection.
Orange sapphire earrings from the Oliver Smith Prism Collection.
Orange and blue sapphire and diamond tennis bracelet from the Oliver Smith Prism Collection.
Multi-shape diamond pendant from the Cairn collection by Oliver Smith. So cool and geometric with the marquise diamond!
Multi color sapphire and diamond bracelet from the Oliver Smith Prism Collection.
I love the unusual diamond cuts in this pendant from the Cairn collection by Oliver Smith. So cool and geometric!
Geometric diamond styles from the Cairn collection by Oliver Smith. So cool and geometric! Features recycled diamonds.
Geometric diamond rings in gold from the Cairn collection by Oliver Smith
Geometric diamond pendant in gold from the Cairn collection by Oliver Smith.
Diamond necklaces from the Cairn collection by Oliver Smith
Diamond necklace in gold from the Cairn collection by Oliver Smith. So cool and geometric!
Diamond jewels of the Cairn collection by Oliver Smith. Love that geometric diamond ring!
Diamond jewelry from the Cairn collection by Oliver Smith
Diamond hoop earrings from the Cairn collection by Oliver Smith
Diamond earrings from the Cairn collection by Oliver Smith
Colorful sapphire and diamond bracelets from the Oliver Smith Prism Collection.
Colorful blue, purple, and pink sapphire and diamond bracelet from the Oliver Smith Prism Collection.
Beautiful sunset colored and rainbow sapphire and diamond bracelets from the Oliver Smith Prism Collection.
Beautiful sunset colored and rainbow sapphire and diamond bracelets from the Oliver Smith Prism Collection.
Beautiful sapphire and diamond bracelets from the Oliver Smith Prism Collection.
Beautiful orange sapphire bracelet from the Oliver Smith Prism Collection. It looks like a sunset!
Beautiful candy colored sapphire and diamond jewels from the Oliver Smith Prism Collection.
Beautiful candy colored sapphire and diamond jewels from the Oliver Smith Prism Collection.
A magnificent aquamarine and diamond ring by jeweler Oliver Smith.
A magnificent aquamarine and diamond ring by jeweler Oliver Smith.

How to layer necklaces: #neckmess legends.

I have a confession for you, my darlings: I am bad at knowing how to layering necklaces.

I love the way a good #neckmess looks, but I’m too much of an anxious perfectionist to be naturally good at throwing on a lot of necklaces together. I worry about the colors clashing, the necklace lengths being unevenly distributed, the chains tangling, the charms jangling against each other. BUT I love the look on other people, so I’m trying to get more comfortable with advanced necklace layering.

I may be a nervous Nellie when it comes to major necklace layering, but Instagram is full of jewelry lovers who are bolder than me when it comes to adventurous clavicle adornment. Let’s take a look at some inspirational #neckmess photos from those who have truly mastered this maximalist layering look!

How to layer necklaces: #neckmess legends.

It’s often hard to trace the origin of an Instagram hashtag once it becomes popular, but that’s not the case with #neckmess.

Jessica Kagan Cushman coined the term to describe her own distinctive necklace layering style and it quickly took off in the IG jewelry community as more and more jewelry lovers found it to be the perfect way of describing the gorgeous chaos of major league necklace deployment – truly an innovator of how to wear to wear necklaces.

Isn’t this look fantastic? I love the concept of wearing a whole themed collection together.

This lovely look from Luck and Lockets feels almost too elegant to count as a #neckmess, but this many gold chains all together is too good to ignore! She’s draped in rivers of gold and I’m alllllllll about it.

Luck and Lockets is such an expert at how to layer necklaces that she’s designed and now sells her own necklace layering device, the gorgeous Lucky 8 clasp.

I only discovered Girl.With.A.Diamond.Earring’s Instagram recently but I’m loving the joyful chaos of her colorful #neckmess styling.

This kind of look is just so much fun! I love the strong color theme, the moving bits and pieces, and the fact that there’s such a wide range of styles and textures incorporated all together.

A spectacular and somewhat spooky spider-heavy #neckmess from Instagram jewelry lover PinkPirahnah!

I’m lucky enough to know this particular expert necklace layer-er in real life and so I can confirm that yes, she is really as cool as she seems. She has such a knack for putting necklaces and charms together in inspiring and unexpected ways.

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