Editor’s Note
**Editor’s Note:** This article explores the rising trend of baroque pearl necklaces in 2026, highlighting their appeal as a “perfectly imperfect” alternative to classic pearl strands.
The Baroque Pearl Necklace Is 2026’s Perfectly Imperfect Jewelry Trend
Say goodbye to the classic strand as you know it. Now we’re wearing this perfectly imperfect jewelry trend instead.
By Selene Oliva
July 13, 2026
Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images
Is there anything more stylish than a classic strand of freshwater pearls? Maybe! At least, the baroque pearl necklace has been making a convincing case lately.
There’s just something so deeply magnetic about baroque pearls, which are known for their irregular, nonspherical shape. Perhaps it’s the fact that each one is unique, or that their unconventional shape confidently defies fashion’s constant striving for perfection. They’re not just gems—they’re small natural sculptures.
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Moritz Scholz/Getty Images
Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images
Today baroque pearls can be seen on the necks, ears, and fingers of women who want to stand out. Their return to the jewelry trend cycle proves that imperfection has aesthetic value.
It’s no coincidence that among my favorite pieces of jewelry is a bold baroque pearl necklace, a gift from my aunt. I’ve always had a special connection to pearls. In my house they represented a rite of passage, a symbol to be worn at important moments. I remember my grandmother’s necklaces—round, perfect pearls, passed down from generation to generation. Yet alongside those classic strands she also liked to wear smaller, irregular pearl necklaces, almost shy in their beauty. In the ’00s I, like fashion, favored flawless pearl necklaces paired ironically with white T-shirts and denim in a game of contrasts à la Lagerfeld. But when my aunt gave me a necklace of scrappy baroque pearls, it was love at first sight. They weren’t perfect, but they had character. Each one told a different story, with its soft curves and asymmetrical sheen.
Nordstrom Baroque Pearl Pendant Necklace $55 $35 (36% off) Nordstrom
J.Crew Baroque Pearl Necklace $80 $56 (30% off) J.Crew
Brilliant Earth Baroque Freshwater Cultured Pearl Pendant $595 Brilliant Earth
Pearlada Chain Link Pendant Necklace $14 Amazon
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That’s when my love for this kind of pearl was born. The first time I saw them on the runway, between 2018 and 2019, was at Alexander McQueen, Erdem, and Simone Rocha. These fashion houses interpreted the pearls as decorative elements with both ancient and ultramodern appeal. They were no longer just ornaments but irregular points of light capable of enhancing the face and breaking the monotony of even the cleanest of looks. At Bottega Veneta’s spring-summer 2025 fashion show, baroque pearls were a main character presented in green-dyed versions.
Any pearl that is not classically and symmetrically spherical is a baroque pearl. In fact, most cultured freshwater pearls are baroque—like snowflakes, they each have their own unique design. Baroque pearls are nothing new, either. As early as the Renaissance and the 1600s, they were used by jewelers to make incredible works: fauns, sea creatures, fantastic animals. These were small masterpieces embellished with gold and vivid enamels. Their irregularity, far from being a flaw, became creative inspiration.
Now this out-of-the-box aesthetic is back. The baroque pearl necklace has become something of a cult accessory, beloved by those who want to express their individuality. Emerging brands like Copine Jewelry and Pearl Octopuss.y have made it their hallmark, offering designs that oscillate between the artisanal and the bold, between classic elegance and a contemporary irony.
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The baroque pearl necklace is perfect for summer because the heaviness of the gemstone contrasts beautifully with light dresses and boho tops. As the weather starts to transition, they’ll be equally striking when paired with structured blazers, oversized T-shirts, and cozy knit sweaters in deep shades of blue or green.
The point is to not treat the baroque pearl necklace as just another piece of jewelry. It’s a style statement, a declaration of aesthetic freedom. A classic, yes, but one with a rebellious soul.
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A version of this article was previously published in Vogue Italy.