We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Pearl earrings are an essential bridal accessory, second in importance only to the rings. That’s always been true, but the ongoing pearl renaissance has amplified the role that pearls play in wedding style, chiefly by widening the selection available to brides, whether they’re traditionalists set on classic studs or lovers of the avant-garde in search of something unconventional.
Last winter, we spotlighted 18 pairs of earrings for the big day. This year, we’re obsessed with a new batch of styles, a very delightful baker’s dozen, ranging from classic and affordable huggies (EF Collection, here’s looking at you) to shoulder-dusting statement pieces (like the By Pariah pair below). One thing almost all of them have in common: They’re set in lustrous yellow gold.
Some of the most eye-catching designs incorporate mother-of-pearl, as in Ashley Zhang’s showstopping diamond-set danglers featured above, or Lito’s beguiling scarabs. Bottom line: When it comes time to walk the aisle, enterprising designers have made sure that no bride leaves her pearls behind.
14k gold earrings with freshwater pearls, $705; Mastoloni
Trio pearl hoops in gold vermeil, $255; Otiumberg
Athena mother-of-pearl stud earrings in 14k yellow gold, $2,250; Minka
Jewels Orlaya earrings in platinum with pearls and lab-grown diamonds, $2,308; Lylie
Triple Hoop earrings in 18k gold with pearls, $5,600; Akaila
Reid Earrings in 14k yellow gold with mother-of-pearl scarabs, $5,050; Lito Fine Jewelry
Bella Pearl earrings in rhodium-plated sterling silver with baroque pearls and white topaz, $117; Laura Vann
18k gold earrings with pearls and diamonds, $1,810; Jessie Thomas
Drop earrings in 14k yellow gold with freshwater pearls and diamonds, $1,046; Effy Daisy
Pearl small stud earrings in 18k gold with pearls, $4,600; Tanya Farah
Jumbo Dome Huggie earrings in 14k gold with pearls, $850; EF Collection
Pearl Helix earrings in 14k gold with diamonds, $5,745; By Pariah
Top: Dog Clip earrings in 14k gold with mother-of-pearl and diamonds, $4,550; Ashley Zhang