Large Keshi Pearl Stud Earrings, 10-12mm Baroque Freshwater Pearls, Sterling Silver Posts

Handmade pearl jewelry from Mae Atelier in Virginia. Large Keshi Pearl Studs, 10–12mm, Silver-Blue Overtone

Product details

• Jewelry type: Pearl Earrings
• Materials: Sterling Silver/Pearl
• Made to order: Yes
• Ships from: VA, US

About this piece

Top-grade freshwater keshi pearls with thick nacre, a flawless surface, and a rare silver-blue overtone. Solid nacre throughout — no nucleus. S925 sterling silver posts.

Specifications
Pearls: Freshwater keshi pearls — solid nacre, no nucleus
Size: 10–12mm
Shape: Freeform baroque, naturally organic
Note: Hand-matched pairs — each pearl's outline varies slightly and naturally. Size, luster, and overtone are matched to the same grade every time.
Colour: White with silver-blue overtone
Luster: Very high, sharp reflection
Surface: Smooth and clean
Nacre: Thick
Posts: S925 sterling silver, nickel-free
Sold as: One pair

Why these are hard to find
(1) Keshi pearls form by accident, no nucleus is implanted, and the mussel produces them entirely on its own, so farms can't plan for them.
(2) At 10–12mm these sit at the large end of what freshwater keshi reaches. And blue is one of the scarcest overtones: most white freshwater pearls read cream or rosé, while these throw a cool silver-blue that shifts as the light moves.
(3) Add a smooth, clean surface and you have a small fraction of any harvest. This is the grade that gets sorted out and sold separately.

With no bead core, these are solid nacre from edge to edge. That's what gives the shine its depth — light reflects off the pearl's own crystal layers rather than a thin coating over a shell bead, so the luster has dimension and won't wear away.

The skin is smooth, without the pitting and ridging common in baroque pearls. Combined with thick nacre, they feel substantial in the hand rather than light and hollow.

Each pair is unique

Keshi grows without any shaping, so no two pearls are identical. The pair you receive will differ slightly from the photo in outline and surface character — that variation is what makes keshi keshi.

What doesn't vary is the grade. Every pair is hand-matched at 10–12mm, with the same very high luster and the same silver-blue overtone. You're choosing a quality standard, not a specific shape.

How to wear them

Large enough to read as a statement, simple enough for the office. A modern alternative to round pearl studs for brides who want something less traditional. Suits weddings, bridesmaids, graduations, birthdays, and June birthdays.

Care

Put them on last, after perfume, hairspray, and lotion
Wipe with a soft dry cloth after wearing
No water, chlorine, saltwater, or ultrasonic cleaners
Sterling silver darkens over time — polish the posts with a silver cloth, keeping it away from the pearls
Never use silver dip or liquid cleaner; it will damage nacre
Store flat, out of direct sunlight
Pearls are soft (Mohs 2.5–4.5) — keep apart from metal jewelry

FAQ

What are keshi pearls? Pearls that form without a nucleus — solid nacre throughout, grown entirely by the mussel. Their irregular shapes happen naturally and can't be farmed to order.

Are these real pearls? Yes — real freshwater pearls. The irregular shapes and slight differences between the two are how you tell them from glass or plastic.

Will my pair look like the photo? Not exactly. Every keshi pearl is a different shape, so yours will vary in outline. Size, luster, and overtone are matched to the same grade in every pair — 10–12mm, very high luster, silver-blue.

What does silver-blue overtone mean? The overtone is the secondary colour playing over the pearl's white body. Blue is one of the least common, and it's what gives these their cool tone.

What are the posts made of? S925 sterling silver, nickel-free and suitable for most sensitive ears.

How big are they on the ear? At 10–12mm they cover most of the earlobe — noticeably larger than a standard 8mm pearl stud, without being heavy.

Can I shower or swim in them? No. Water and chlorine damage nacre. Take them off first.

Packaging and care

Your jewelry arrives in a protective gift box. Keep pearls away from perfume, lotion, water, and jewelry cleaners. Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth after wear and store separately.