6 Fabulous Pearl Rings (That Should Not Be Engagement Rings)

Mar 3

Girl with a pearl ring

From Madam VP’s jewelry box to Hollywood, pearls are making a major comeback. (But did they ever really go out of style?) Symbols of purity and elegance, pearl rings as engagement rings are the hype recently: Ariana Grande, Emma Stone, and Michelle Williams all have luminous pearl engagement rings. A pearl is an incredibly romantic jewel, and it’s the only gem created by a living creature. But this trend has us wondering because we thought pearls weren’t really the best gemstone for everyday wear.

Pearls are considered “soft,” scoring a 2.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. Jeremy Waisner from RingMaster Jewelers told us what to consider before choosing a pearl for an engagement ring. “In most cases, an engagement ring is going to be the most worn piece of jewelry for a woman. It will eventually be a part of her wedding set and typically will be worn every day. A pearl just won’t withstand years of this kind of wear without it sacrificing some of its natural luster.”

Here’s a selection of fabulous pearl rings that range from classic to avant-garde, that pair perfectly with any outfit any day of the week—just not 24/7.

**Starlight**

London’s most sought-after pearl jeweler, Yoko London, redefines the way women of all ages wear pearls. Through their dramatic and imaginative pieces, such as this ring, the family-owned jeweler shows us that pearls and diamonds go together like the moon and the stars.
Gold, pearl, and diamond ring, $3,000 at Yoko London
*This item is sold out.

**Balance Signature**

Inspired by Japan’s seascape, Tasaki took the timeless string of pearls famously adorned by fashion icons like Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly and set them into a modern cocktail ring. This signature style is bold in its minimalism, allowing the perfect sphere of pearls to speak volumes.
Balance Signature rose gold and pearl ring, $3,880 at Tasaki

**Trend Geometric**

Pearls and diamonds in a golden honeycomb setting—so different. This ring by Honora, the largest freshwater pearl importer in the US, is the perfect combination of elegant and modern. It can be found at Jae’s Jewelers where the owner and GIA graduate gemologist, Jillian Hornick, runs the third-generation shop.
Honora gold, diamond, and pearl ring, $480 at Jae’s Jewelers

**Embrace**

Ever since 1893, when Mikimoto created the first successfully cultured pearl, they have been at the forefront of pearl innovation. Delicate vines of pavé diamonds cradle this black pearl, creating a striking adornment that can be awed from every angle.
Embrace white gold, black South Sea cultured pearl, and diamond ring, $3,800 at Mikimoto

**Pearls and Pebbles**

This delicate and refined ring is the epitome of romance. A subtle band of pave diamonds flank the shoulders of this precious grey pearl. Renna’s goal is to create simple jewels for the modern woman. This GIA jeweler’s creations prove that pearls can be young, fun, and of course, sophisticated.
White gold Pearls and Pebbles diamond ring, $2,400 at Renna Jewels

**Pearl Orbit**

The shores of his homeland of Montego Bay in Jamaica inspire Mateo's designer Matthew Harris. Keeping with his aesthetic of simplicity and minimalism, this freshwater pearl dances along the edge of a gold and diamond galaxy. And for pearl diehards, Mateo makes a chic Pearl candle with calming scents.
Freshwater pearl, diamond, and gold ring, $950 at Mateo New York

Editor: Samantha Durbin

Wordsmith: Livia Primo Lack

Every item featured is personally selected by our writers and editors (read: we're totally into it). Please know that when you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission (read: we get to keep doing what we love).