Hot hues: jewellers combine pearls with coloured gemstones for a modern take on a classic look

In a modern take on classic pearls, jewellers are combining these treasures of the sea with coloured gemstones for a look that is fresh and very wearable.

The Color Prestige collection from Japanese brand Mikimoto encapsulates this trend beautifully by pairing white South Sea cultured pearls and conch pearls with candy-coloured gems such as yellow diamonds, pink and purple sapphires, mint tourmalines and pink spinels, all set in white gold and platinum. The collection includes pendants and earrings in a rainbow of hues for a contemporary take on a classic.

Always ahead of the game, Chanel recently incorporated coloured stones into its high jewellery Les Perles de Chanel collection, which is dedicated entirely to the pearls so beloved by Mademoiselle Chanel herself.

Shimmering pink, purple and yellow sapphires in the Printemps de Camelia pieces, together with multi-coloured pearls, pack a vibrant punch in these joyous jewels, which look like so much fun to wear.

Similarly, the Perles Baroques necklace and earrings combine tourmaline, aquamarine, sapphire and tsavorite with baroque pearls and diamonds, creating a colourful mosaic of mismatching pearls and gemstones that is pure Chanel.

Yoko London's Calypso collection is glamorous and bold. A chunky rose gold ring offsets the subtle glow of a pink freshwater pearl with vibrant purple amethysts and a scattering of twinkling diamonds. The rose gold Calypso pendant features a white Australian South Sea pearl with green amethysts, diamonds and tsavorite, as well as a pair of drop earrings with pink freshwater pearls, diamonds and purple amethysts.

One of the prettiest interpretations of this colourful trend can be seen in the Aurora pearl necklace and matching cascade earrings from Yoko London's Masterpiece collection. The stunning set combines Australian South Sea pearls with diamonds and multi-coloured sapphires, all set in white gold.

Another jeweller embracing the trend for coloured stones and pearls is Tiffany & Co. Its pearl and peridot necklace and matching earrings is summer jewellery personified, contrasting white South Sea pearls with bright green peridots for a shot of pure colour.

Chanel Printemps de Camélia ring in white gold, from the new Les Perles de Chanel collection, set with brilliant-cut diamonds, marquise-cut diamonds, multi-coloured brilliant-cut sapphires and a Tahitian cultured pearl.
Chanel Perles Baroques earrings in white gold, from the new Les Perles de Chanel collection, set with brilliant-cut diamonds, an oval-cut tourmaline and aquamarine, sapphires, tsavorites, two Australian baroque cultured pearls and two Japanese cultured pearls.
Tiffany & Co. Triple Strand platinum necklace and earrings featuring white South Sea pearls, bright green peridots and diamonds.
Tiffany & Co 2014 Blue Book collection ring with a central pearl surrounded by diamonds and sapphires.
Chanel Printemps de Camélia bracelet in white gold, from the new Les Perles de Chanel collection, with brilliant-cut diamonds, marquise-cut diamond, a brilliant-cut yellow sapphire, a brilliant-cut purple sapphire and 10 Tahitian, South Sea and freshwater cultured pearls.
Chanel Perles Baroque necklace in white gold, from the new Les Perles de Chanel collection, set with diamonds, blue and purple sapphires, amethysts, blue and green tourmalines, aquamarines, blue tanzanites, five Australian baroque cultured pearls, 35 South Sea cultured pearls, four Tahitian cultured pearls and 38 Japanese cultured pearls.
Mikimoto Color Prestige collection earrings featuring a pair of pink sapphires and pearls connected by a trail of brilliant-cut diamonds.
Mikimoto Color Prestige collection earrings featuring pavé diamonds that lead to a mint tourmaline seated above a White South Sea pearls.
Yoko London Calypso collection rose gold ring featuring a pink freshwater pearl surrounded by amethysts and diamonds.
Chanel Printemps de Camélia necklace in white gold, from the new Les Perles de Chanel collection, set with 712 brilliant-cut diamonds, marquise-cut diamonds, multi-coloured brilliant-cut sapphires and 38 Tahitian, South Sea and freshwater cultured pearls.
Yoko London rose gold pendant featuring a white Australian South Sea pearl, green amethysts, a central tsavorite and diamonds.
Yoko London white gold Aurora necklace from the Masterpiece collection featuring Australian South Sea pearls, multi-coloured sapphires and diamonds.