By Åse Anderson in London
The perfect gift ideas for women of any age, pearls have shed their dated image to become this year's cool Christmas accessory.
A pair of pearl earrings is a must in every woman's jewellery box and today's jewellery designers are coming up with daring new creations that give the gleaming pearl a new lease of life. While any of these pretty pearl earrings will look great teamed with a party dress, you can also use them to accessorise a more casual outfit for a look that exudes effortless cool.
Our most stylish royal, Kate Middleton, is partly to thank for the renaissance of pearl jewellery, but other celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Angelina Jolie have also been spotted wearing these treasures of the sea.
The Ana Khouri pearl earrings in gold have got the seal of approval from this year's rising star Lupita Nyong'o, who wore them to the 2014 BAFTA Awards. Set with Australian freshwater pearls at either end, they can be worn as a pair or - the look du jour - one at a time.
Equally versatile are Winterson's Enchanted pearl earrings, from the new Lief collection, designed by the brand's creative director Alice Cicolini. Available in yellow or white gold, the freshwater pearls are detachable allowing the leaves to be worn on their own as ear studs. Or add a splash of colour with these earrings from the same collection, which combine Tahitian pearls with aquamarine or Akoya pearls with pink tourmaline.
Japanese jewellery brand Mikimoto is synonymous with the finest quality pearl jewellery and its new Falling Flakes earrings are no exception. We may not get any snow on the ground this festive season but finding these earrings in your stocking will more than make up for a grey Christmas. Recreating the unique beauty of a snowflake using Akoya pearls and brilliant-cut diamonds set in either white or yellow gold, they are the perfect pearl earrings to inject a touch of sparkle to your Christmas gifts.
Go dark and decadent with Yoko London's Tahitian pearl earrings with black and white diamonds or add a colourful splash with ots long drop earrings set with vibrant multi-coloured sapphires, finished with a pair of perfectly formed South Sea pearls.
Also at the colourful end of the spectrum, Delfina Delettrez's design taps into the trend for wearing a single earring. Beautiful, cool and fun, the gold earring features three white pearls interspersed with Delfina's signature ruby embellished lip motif.
No longer traditional, these pearl earrings are still timeless jewels that will be treasured for many years to come, making them the ideal gift ideas for women who we guarantee will wear them all year round.
Read about the perfect Valentine's jewellery gift here
