Pearl Earrings Guide: Freshwater Pearl or Mother of Pearl in 18K Gold
Earrings
Choose freshwater pearl earrings, such as the Lulu pair, for weddings and Eid, and mother of pearl hearts for every day. Pick yellow or rose gold to match the jewellery you already wear. Pearl is soft, so put it on after perfume and keep it away from diamonds.
Shop the Lulu Pearl Earrings18K gold · Free delivery in the UAE · Help on WhatsApp
By Lana Al Kamal
Founder and jewellery designer, GIA-trained, Dubai · Updated 12 November 2026
As featured in
Harper's Bazaar ArabiaEmirates WomanGrazia ArabiaJdeed MagazineKey takeaways
- Pearls grow inside a mollusc; mother of pearl is the shell's inner lining. Both are soft and both have a pearly sheen.
- Freshwater pearl earrings such as the Lulu pair suit weddings and Eid; mother of pearl hearts are simple enough for every day.
- Put pearls on after perfume and lotion, wipe them after wearing, and store them apart from diamonds.
What is the difference between pearl and mother of pearl earrings?
A pearl grows inside a mollusc, layer by layer. Mother of pearl is the inner lining of the shell, cut into shapes such as hearts. Both have the same soft sheen, and both are soft: pearl is about 2.5 to 3 on the Mohs scale, according to GIA. Our Lulu Pearl Earrings use freshwater pearls; our Heart and Hive earrings use mother of pearl. The mother of pearl guide explains the material in more detail.
Pieces in this guide
Lulu Pearl EarringsAED 3,950Shop now
Heart Mother Of Pearl EarringsAED 2,900Shop now
Hive Mop EarringsAED 3,450Shop now
Four pearl earrings compared
| Earrings | Material | Gold | Best for | Price (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lulu Pearl Earrings | Freshwater pearls and gold beads | Yellow | Weddings, Eid, evenings | 3,950 |
| Heart Mother of Pearl Earrings | White mother of pearl hearts | Yellow | Every day, gifts | 2,900 |
| Heart Gray Mother of Pearl Earrings | Grey mother of pearl hearts | Rose | Every day, rose gold wearers | 2,900 |
| Hive Mother of Pearl Earrings | Mother of pearl Hive motifs and diamonds | Rose | Work and dinners | 3,450 |
Prices are for November 2026; the product page always shows the current price.
Which pearl earrings should I wear for a wedding or Eid?
Freshwater pearls read as more formal than mother of pearl. The Lulu Pearl Earrings alternate pearls with round gold beads, so they catch the light without diamonds. For a matching set, add the Lulu Pearl Choker (AED 4,000), for AED 7,950 together. Keep other jewellery plain gold so the pearls lead.
What to buyLulu Pearl Earrings, AED 3,950Which pearl earrings are best for every day?
The Heart earrings are the simplest choice: a white heart in yellow gold, or a grey heart in rose gold, at AED 2,900 a pair. Choose the colour of the gold you wear most. Our earring stacking guide shows how to pair them with a cuff.
How do I care for pearl earrings?
Put pearl earrings on last, after perfume, hairspray and lotion have dried, and wipe them with a soft dry cloth after wearing. Store them in their own pouch, away from diamond pieces that can scratch them, and take them off for swimming and the gym. Our jewellery care guide covers cleaning and storage. If you want help choosing a pair, ask our team on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Are Lulu Pearl Earrings real pearls?
Yes. The Lulu Pearl Earrings use freshwater pearls with pearl-shaped beads of 18K yellow gold.
Is mother of pearl the same as pearl?
No. A pearl grows inside a mollusc; mother of pearl is the inner lining of the shell. They share the same sheen.
Which pearl earrings suit a wedding?
Freshwater pearl earrings such as the Lulu pair (AED 3,950 in November 2026), worn with plain gold.
Can I wear pearl earrings every day?
Yes, if you put them on after perfume and wipe them after wearing. The Heart Mother of Pearl Earrings are the simplest everyday choice.
Do pearl earrings come in rose gold?
Yes. The Heart Gray Mother of Pearl Earrings and the Hive Mother of Pearl Earrings are in 18K rose gold.
Not sure which one?
Send our team a photo or a question on WhatsApp and we will help you choose.
WhatsApp our teamKeep reading
Mother of Pearl Jewellery: What It Is and How to Care for It
How to Stack Earrings: Building a Curated Ear in 18K Gold
How to Wear Malachite Jewellery in Gold: Colours, Pairings and Four Looks
About Lana Al Kamal
Lana Al Kamal is an architect and jewellery designer who founded her Dubai-based fine jewellery brand in 2018. She studied at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and is a member of the Dubai Chamber jewellery designers group. Every piece is made in 18K gold.
