When Kaitlyn Foster founded her Love Random Life jewelry line in 2018, she knew that pearls would be an important focus. In fact, her budding brand's guiding principles included using sustainable, recyclable, and biodegradable materials wherever possible. For example, she recently debuted a patent-pending jewelry collection dubbed Revalia, a design that converts from a ring to a pendant for brooch. Another accomplishment lies in the 2023 unveiling of her Pearl Weekly podcast, which can be found on Spotify. 

“The idea came from my passion for podcasts, and when I started learning about pearls, I noticed a gap—there was no podcast dedicated solely to pearls,” says Foster. Each episode is typically five minutes long; in that time, she shares facts and valuable insights about pearls, such as describing mollusks, which are responsible for growing pearls. Future guests will include industry professionals and experts.

“My hope is that Pearl Weekly not only educated but also sparks excitement about pearls," she adds. 

Foster learn about PAO from course instructor Douglas McLaurin-Moreno and another pearl lover on Instagram. "Before taking the course, I had very little knowledge of pearls," she says. "The course opened my eyes to a new world that I was excited to dive into." 

Foster earned her certificate of completion in July 2018. Read on to learn more about the artist and pearl champion.

Why are pearls important to you?
Unlike other gemstones that require mining, pearl culturing and harvesting is environmentally friendly and encourages the
protection of marine life. Pearls thrive when there’s a commitment to safeguarding marine ecosystems, allowing pearl farmers to create beautiful, gem-grade pearls.

What do you like most about PAO, and why
was it important to take the course?
The modules were designed in a way that made it easy to grasp the concepts even with little to no background knowledge on pearls.
Plus, when I first established my jewelry brand, my goal was to work with pearls. I had no idea where that was going to lead me, but I knew that I needed a strong understanding of this gem. PAO helped me achieve that. It also enhanced my design skills for Love Random Life, by revealing the diversity of pearls beyond akoyas and clarifying the distinction between natural and cultured pearls. This foundational knowledge significantly enhanced my ability to incorporate pearls into the aesthetic of Love Random Life. 

What is your favorite type of pearl and why?
It’s challenging to pick a single favorite. It really all depends on the piece of jewelry I am designing. I particularly like looking at
baroque pearls. I would also like to work with abalone and conch pearls, because I enjoy exploring the different colors and shapes of
pearls.

What pearl jewelry do you own and which piece do you wear most and why?
I own a few pearl jewelry pieces, but the ones I cherish the most are, first, my great-great-grandmother’s pearl necklace, and Revalia
from Love Random Life, which features mother-of-pearl.

What is your favorite piece of pearl jewelry?
The Susa Pearl necklace, which shows how pearl jewelry can stand the test of time. I hope one day to see it in person.

To you, what is the most iconic look in pearls?
Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”