New York City, May 18, 2018. When First Lady Barbara Bush died on April 17, the world reflected on her support of literacy campaigns but also on her love of pearls. Rarely was she seen not wearing a white pearl strand or two. And while she was sometimes known to say that the ones she wore were faux—not genuine—pearls, CPAA member Dilly Kirby of Elizabeth Blair Fine Jewelry in Harbor Springs, Mich., met son Jeb years ago at a fundraiser and asked him about that preference. The onetime presidential hopeful squeezed the hand of the merchant and said, “Don’t always believe what you read in the press—they are real!”
To her fans and other white-pearl admirers, here are eight styles that can help you make your own first-rate impression.
Station necklace in 14k gold with white freshwater pearls, $725;
Mizuki
Necklace in 18k yellow gold vermeil with a 14k yellow gold clasp, 9.5 mm to 10 mm white freshwater pearls, and a removable tassel with cubic zirconia, $1,160;
Brenda Smith
Tresa lariat in 14k yellow gold with white freshwater keshi pearls, a 26 ct. teardrop labradorite, and a 3.98 ct. lapis, $1,560;
K. Mita
Station-style necklace in 14k white gold with natural-color blue-gray baroque-shape akoyas and a magnetic clasp, $2,600;
Baggins
Necklace with 9 mm to 10 mm cream-color freshwater pearls and a 14k yellow gold XO-style clasp, $5,000;
King's Ransom Pearls
Choker in 18k white gold with high-luster 8.5 mm to 9 mm white akoya pearls and 1.47 cts. t.w. diamonds, $18,000;
Imperial
Necklace with 14 mm to 15 mm white South Sea pearls and an 18k white gold clasp, $126,000;
Mastoloni
Double Octopus necklace with graduated 12.5 mm to 17 mm South Sea pearls, 17.5 cts. t.w. diamonds, and an 18k white gold clasp, $165,000;
Hector Hassey
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i never doubted the former first lady wore genuine pearls! i have always had an affinity for pearls and thought if > I < could afford them, she would have too!