5 Myths About Pearl Earrings: Busted

 

Who you gonna call? Pearl Myth Busters! (cue dramatic music)

Beneath the elegance and timeless beauty of pearl earrings lies a web of myths, whispers of false lies that cloud their true wonder. It’s time to sweep away the cobwebs and let these natural wonders shine the way they’re meant to.

At Arapawa Blue Pearls, we’re here to bring pearls back into the light (quite literally) and debunk the old-school ideas that don’t do them justice. Whether you're shopping for pearl earrings online or exploring the latest in pearl earring design, let’s bust some myths, shall we?

Myth #1: Pearls are old-fashioned

This myth is like that stubborn stain on your favourite shirt, persistent and unnecessary. Truth bomb: Pearl earrings have had a major glow-up. From Paris runways to Auckland sidewalks, pearls are everywhere.

Celebs like Harry Styles, A$AP Rocky, Zendaya, and Rihanna aren’t rocking their grandma’s pearls; they’re making pearls cooler than ever. Think edgy chokers, minimalist studs, layered chains.

Real pearl earrings New Zealand fans, listen up: pearls are being reinvented to fit every vibe: bold, romantic, rebellious, minimalist. So, no, pearls aren’t stuck in the past. They’ve officially crossed into forever-cool territory.

Myth #2: Pearls are always white

Classic white pearls? Beautiful. But they’re just the tip of the iceberg. That snowy-white image was crafted centuries ago by Western traditions, which tied pearls to purity, innocence, and wealth. Victorian England and classic Hollywood:  they locked white pearls into the spotlight.

But nature has way more range. Pearl colour depends on the mollusc, the environment, and even the waters in which they grow.

Pearl earring designs today celebrate a whole kaleidoscope of colours, including green, gold, pink, lavender, and (our personal favourite) a mesmerising, ocean-kissed blue.
Our blue pearl earrings are a rare treasure, born from the waters surrounding Arapawa Island. These pearls aren’t dyed or enhanced; they grow with their unique shimmer, shaped by nature and nurtured with care.

If you’ve only seen white, you’ve only seen the beginning.  Dive into our pearl earrings online collection to explore beyond tradition.

Myth #3: All pearls come from oysters

The belief that all pearls come from oysters probably started because saltwater oysters produce many of the most famous and highly valued pearls, such as Akoya, Tahitian, and South Sea pearls. But there’s a richer story behind real pearl earrings New Zealand collectors will love.

In early pearl trading days, when natural pearls were found by divers in oceans and seas, the oyster was the primary mollusc known to create these treasures. Because these pearls were so prized and stories spread mainly from coastal cultures, oysters became forever linked to pearls in the public imagination. Now, some of these freshwater and Akoya pearls are dyed to achieve intense colours like bright blue, green, or even metallic shades. However, these colours are found naturally in other molluscs.

In truth, many types of molluscs can create pearls:

Freshwater Mussels

-Freshwater pearls come from freshwater mussels, not oysters.
Major freshwater pearl producers like China and, historically, the United States raise mussels that produce a wide range of pearl shapes and colours.
-Freshwater mussels can even produce multiple pearls at once, unlike some oysters that only produce one at a time.

Abalone

-Abalone pearls come from the colourful abalone mollusc, a type of marine snail with a rainbow-colored interior shell.
-Abalone pearls are rare, naturally colourful (blue, green, pink), and often freeform.
-These pearls are harder to culture than oyster pearls and are often found naturally, making them especially prized.

Conchs

-Conch pearls come from the queen conch, a sea snail found in the Caribbean.
-They aren't true nacreous pearls, but they are stunning, often featuring pink, peach, or orange tones.
-Natural conch pearls are extremely rare and very valuable.

Melo Melo Snails

-The Melo Melo marine snail produces beautiful Melo pearls, usually orange to golden in colour.
-Like conch pearls, Melo pearls are non-nacreous; they have a porcelain-like lustre rather than a shimmering one.

Each brings different shapes, textures, and colours into the world of pearl earrings, making every pearl earring design a unique adventure. Freshwater mussels, abalone, conchs, and snails prove that pearl magic isn’t limited to oysters, and that’s great news for jewellery lovers everywhere.

Myth #4: Pearls can’t be worn every day

So many people keep their pearl earrings tucked away for special occasions. But pearls are made to be part of your daily story, especially when the designs are simple, subtle, and intentionally wearable.

Historically, pearls have been regarded as symbols of luxury and special occasions. Royals and elites often reserved pearls for formal occasions, such as galas and portraits. 
Our little pearl earrings are perfect for everyday elegance. They bring a softness to a structured outfit and a bit of light to casual wear. You don’t need a wedding or gala to enjoy their glow; a trip to town, a morning coffee, or a quiet walk by the ocean is reason enough.

If you're looking for pearl earrings online, you'll find timeless styles ready for everything your day throws at you. Sustainably grown and thoughtfully designed, real pearl earrings that New Zealand customers can trust to last are perfect for slow fashion lovers.
Every day is special. Let your jewellery reflect that. Pearl earrings were made to be loved, not locked away.

Myth #5: Only women should wear pearls

Let’s get one thing straight: pearls are for everyone. Back in the day, pearls were a royal flex for men. Ancient kings, Indian maharajas, Chinese emperors, and Roman generals, all decked out in pearls to show power, wisdom, and wealth. Julius Caesar himself was so into pearls that he passed laws about who was allowed to wear them. (Talk about serious pearl energy.)

Even pirates wore pearls as lucky charms at sea. (Jack Sparrow vibes, anyone?)

Fast forward to now: modern artists like Harry Styles, A$AP Rocky, and countless others are putting pearls right back where they belong: on everyone. Pearls have always been symbols of strength, bravery, and divine beauty, way beyond any gender label. They’re about individuality, not stereotypes.

Pearl earrings today are about individuality, strength, and style, no matter your gender. Our pearl earring design embodies that spirit: simple, bold, romantic, and rebellious. There’s a style for every story, every identity. When shopping for pearl earrings online, consider what reflects you, not outdated rules.

Read more about Men's Jewellery on our blog "Do Men Wear Pearls? A Look at Men's Jewellery and Fashion". 

Let the Myths Go, Let the Pearls Shine

Pearls aren’t stuck in the past. They’re not just for women. They aren’t always white. They don’t belong in a locked drawer. And they definitely aren’t basic. At Arapawa Blue Pearls, we believe pearls are alive, full of stories, adventure, and a beauty that breaks all the old rules. And honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Ready to Bust a Few Myths Yourself?

Browse our collection  of pearl earrings online and discover your perfect pair of real pearl earrings, New Zealand shoppers adore. Whether you're drawn to minimalist styles or daring new pearl earring designs, something is waiting just for you.