Pearls As One (PAO) Student Focus

Pearls As One (PAO) Student Focus: Jeremy Wallace, Jewelry Designer
Dec 02, 2023
Written by Jennifer Heebner
Filed under akoya pearls, CPAA, CPAA member, member, Pearls As One, Pearls As One education, Pearls As One Student, Tahitian pearls

Pearls As One (PAO) Student Focus: Jeremy Wallace, Jewelry Designer

By Reema Farooqui

Atlanta-based Jeremy Wallace’s interest in pearls piqued upon seeing an oyster-opening video on TikTok a few years ago. Further research into the lustrous gem
inspired Wallace’s own affinity for pearls and gave way to his online jewelry company, Trident Pearls, founded in 2022.

“Pearl is my thing because it’s the only gem that you can pull straight from an oyster, clean and set, and wear immediately without having to do any kind of processing,” enthuses Wallace. Wallace is a self-taught jeweler who works out of a home-based studio. He makes his own jewelry, drilling and setting pearls along the way, offering bespoke styles—including custom hair pieces with akoya pearls for a
wedding—as well as a permanent collection. Trident is also not Wallace’s first foray into the jewelry world; thirteen years ago, he helped his older daughter, then 13 years old, start her own fashion jewelry business. To day, she and Wallace’s other daughter help him design for Trident.

When Wallace wanted to learn more about pearls, he searched for a reputable and comprehensive online course on pearls and came across Pearls As One (PAO). As a student, he appreciated the breadth and depth of information provided by the course as well as the possibility to interact with instructors in the discussion section at the end of each chapter.

The course has also allowed Wallace to better educate his clients about the quality
and type of pearl jewelry they are buying. “With pearls there’s a story that’s different
from all the other gems,” observes Wallace.

How important are pearls in your job? What role do they play?
Pearls are an essential part of our business. The majority of our jewelry features pearls. At the beginning, I was making simple pieces like pearl cage pendants. Now we also offer a wider range of jewelry such as rings, earrings, and pendants as well as pearl body jewelry.

What is your favorite variety/type of pearl and why?
My favorite pearls by far are Tahitians. I love their colors and the luster they produce. They are the most exotic of all the different types of cultured pearls. The thing I love about Tahitian pearls is how they glow differently under different lights. I have a very special Tahitian pearl which I set in my gold-plated sterling silver Tahitian heart pendant. While it looks deep black in studio lighting, in sunlight the peacock overtones get really well illuminated. That pearl always reminds me of mood rings and how they shimmer differently at different points in time.

What pearl jewelry do you own and which piece do you wear most and why?
As a jewelry maker, and being male, I feel there is not much for men out there. I made a Tahitian bracelet that I wear often. I have to say it’s my favorite piece that I have made.

What is your favorite piece of pearl jewelry (it doesn’t need to be your own)?
For the moment my favorite jewelry piece is Queen Elizabeth II’s three-strand pearl
necklace, which was also worn by Princess Diana, and now Kate Middleton has
been seen wearing it. Three generations of women have worn it at formal events. On the surface, it’s a simple, classic, three strand pearl necklace with a small clasp.
But it has a lot of history behind it. With its bright luster, it hardly looks like it has
been worn. It may not be spectacular like a million-dollar diamond, but it always looks great and is very classy.

To you, what is the most iconic look in pearls?
To me the most iconic or classic look in pearls is a single strand necklace of white
akoyas. It’s a classy look that can be worn with anything, and it’s iconic enough
to never fade away.

Pearl As One (PAO) Student Focus: Linda Quinn
Nov 27, 2023
Written by Jennifer Heebner
Filed under Affiliate Member, Associate Member, award winning jewelry, award winning pearl jewellery, collector, CPAA, CPAA member, Cultured Pearl Association of America, jewelry, member, Pearls As One, Pearls As One education, Pearls As One Student, pearlsasone.org

Pearl As One (PAO) Student Focus: Linda Quinn

By Reema Farooqui

Linda Quinn, Jewelry Designer

Stafford, Missouri–based Linda Quinn began designing and crafting jewelry during her undergraduate days at William Woods University. She secured a degree in both art and business, afterwards working for several retailers and manufacturers while honing her bench jeweler skills. By 1985, she debuted her own eponymous business, Linda Quinn Designs. Her aesthetic is defined by clean silhouettes, graphic cuts of gemstones, and oversize cultured pearls of all types. Her affinity for pearls led her to take the Pearls As One (PAO) course, which she completed in July 2021. One of the reasons she took it was its accessibility; students can go at their own pace with no time restraints.

“Over the years I’ve learned a lot about pearls, and I have always designed with them,” she says. “Learning as much as possible about them is exciting and helpful in selling the gems. “[The course] is a great resource and improved my knowledge of pearl history, farming, grading and more. The course has also given me more credibility with my customers because I believe education is the key to selling.”

Learn more about Quinn below.

Why are pearls important to you? I love pearls and have designed with shapes of all types—baroque, round, keshi—in every variety. But whichever pearl I choose, it is always high quality. It has to have beautiful luster and overtones. I also give talks on pearls to different organizations, including the Missouri Banker’s Association and several local women’s associations. Many are at luncheons where I am brought in as entertainment with education. I bring samples of different types of pearls and talk about both excellent and poor-quality pearls. I usually show a short video of how the pearl was formed and history about pearls. Then I give a talk on the different kinds of pearls and touch on grades, fashion, and prices. It’s fun, people love to see pearls up close and handle them, and I have a captive audience!

What is your favorite type of pearl and why? Trying to figure out a favorite type or variety of pearl is difficult. I love them all! Perhaps keshi are my favorite because of their luster and shape. So many layers of nacre make their luster so beautiful. As far as shape, humans can control some of it, but in the end the oyster has its own say. Whatever I choose, it is always quality, whether it is lower-end or higher-end prices. My pearls must have a beautiful luster and overtones.

What pearl jewelry do you own? I own many pieces of pearl jewelry, but I don’t wear any one piece as a favorite. They are all my favorites. I wear multiple strands in every variety of necklaces and bracelets. I also enjoy wearing pieces that I have designed, including rings, pendants, and earrings, and especially large studs. Really, it all depends on where I’m going and what I’m doing. I suppose that’s the designer in me.

What is the most iconic look in pearls? There are two looks that will always be classic. One would be a large, graduated strand of round white South Sea pearls complemented by large white round South Sea stud earrings. Another would be three stands in any color of large pearls nestled one under the other on the neck. I have to say the most iconic look to me would be Elizabeth Taylor and her gems. There’s a picture of Elizabeth Taylor that comes to mind. She is holding up a strand of pearls, looking through them into the camera. Also, Elizabeth Taylor and La Peregrina!

Photos by Ted Morrison