Did these earrings catch your eye?

 

 

The pearls in these earrings are characterized by their rich, distinct blue color.

Although they are well matched in color, the differences in their shapes may be a little too noticeable to consider them a perfectly matched pair.

 

 

Ideally, I would also like the sizes and shapes to match closely, but among the pearls I currently have in stock, this was the best pair I could make.

 

 

Incidentally, these earrings were one of several pairs I recently put together to present to a customer.

 

 

Along with Marshmallow, I created pairs named Night Sky, Daybreak, Sun-Dried, and Pudding.

 

 

I gathered some of the most lustrous pearls from Flower Jem’s collection of natural blue Akoya pearls around 8 mm in size, and then selected matching pairs from among them.

 

 

There is no particularly deep meaning behind the name Marshmallow.

 

 

They somehow gave me a soft, fluffy impression, so that is what I decided to call them.
In the past, Flower Jem did not give individual names to pearl jewelry.

 

 

A necklace would simply be called “Natural Blue Baroque Pearl Necklace,” and earrings would be “Natural Blue Baroque Pearl Earrings.”

 

 

As a result, I cannot immediately remember which pearls I sold to which customer without doing a little research.
But if the earrings are called Marshmallow, I won’t forget them.

Even a year or two later, a product name helps me remember not only who purchased the piece, but also what was happening around the time I made it.

 

 

In a way, these names have become something like a diary, and I have grown very fond of the idea.

I also occasionally use Japanese names.

I hear that Japanese words have gradually become more familiar in other countries in recent years.

 

 

It would be wonderful if I could sell not only pearls, but also words and the stories they carry.

Anyway, despite the name Marshmallow, these pearls have thick nacre layers and a beautifully deep blue color.

 

 

The longer I look at them, the less they resemble marshmallows.

Many people who seek blue pearls tend to want the deepest blue they can possibly find.

These pearls are not perfect, but their blue is certainly quite deep.

Interestingly, once people have acquired some richly colored blue pearls, they often begin looking for lighter shades of blue instead.

 

 

I went through a similar phase myself.

There was a time when I was so determined to find darker and darker blue pearls that it almost became an obsession.

That continued for several years.

Then, perhaps as a reaction to it, I began to take an interest in lighter blue pearls.

It was almost as though those pale blue pearls were gently telling me, “It’s okay to be light blue.”

They somehow made me feel at ease.

You know how some people say, “This company couldn’t function without me”?

It was rather like hearing someone say, “Actually, the company will run perfectly well even if you take a day off.”

An elderly pearl dealer, a man over 70, once told me something very similar.

 

 

“If you keep searching for nothing but deep blue pearls, eventually you get tired. At times like that, a beautiful pale blue pearl can be very soothing. Of course, I still love deep blue pearls!”

I suspect this applies to many things in life, not just pearls.

Sometimes we cling stubbornly to something, only to let go of that attachment because of some small experience.

And when we finally let go, we discover that nothing particularly terrible happens.

As people grow older, I often notice how some become more relaxed and comfortable with themselves.

Perhaps they have simply learned to let go of unnecessary attachments.

This story seems to be heading in a rather strange direction, so I had better step in and stop myself.

Anyway, I love deep blue pearls.

And people who love deep blue pearls often contact me directly rather than waiting for new pieces to appear in my shop.

One by one, they carry off my deepest blue pearls.

It was exactly such customers who recently encouraged me to put together several pairs of natural blue Akoya pearls.

 

And those requests ultimately led to the earrings I am listing today.

Once again, I have been reminded that strong feelings and determination really can change things.

 

🌸Product Specifications

Natural Blue Akoya Pearl Stud Earrings

Pearl Size: 8.34–8.65 mm

Color: Natural Blue (Untreated)

Shape: Baroque

Luster: Strong

Metal: Sterling Silver (SV925)

Origin: Japan

 

 

 

 

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Explore three related stories and pieces from Flower Jem, featuring natural blue Akoya pearls, their beautiful luster, and the careful process of selecting and matching pearls. Each offers a different perspective on the beauty behind Marshmallow.

Obon-04

Tereya-san

The Secrets of Pearl Processing: Crafting My Akoya Pearl Earrings