Long a signifier of elegance and wealth, pearls sit firmly in the enduring ‘classic’ camp when it comes to jewellery – yet the semi-precious gemstones have firmly established themselves as one of 2026’s defining jewellery trends. From the dramatic layers of pearls seen in Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel SS26 collection to Anthony Vaccarello’s statement pearl-adorned motif earrings, they’ve made something of a contemporary comeback in recent months.
Now, the world’s most prolific jewellery brand, Pandora, has just launched its first collection featuring freshwater pearls – and collaborated with one of the industry’s most in-demand stylists, Harry Lambert, for the occasion. The result is Pandora Wonders – a dream-like collection of charms featuring one-of-a-kind baroque pearls reimagined as pearlescent puffer fish, tree frogs, ice cream cones and pea pods. “I’m such a fan of pearls, so I’m so thrilled to bring a renewed sense of childlike delight and nostalgia to Pandora’s unique world of charms,” Lambert says.
Each limited-edition design embraces the organic imperfections of each pearl, meaning that every piece in the collection is entirely unique, while the playful designs offer a contemporary twist to what might otherwise be considered a more traditional style of jewellery. As Pandora President and CEO Berta de Pablos-Barbier points out, the collection serves as “a beautiful reminder that the most compelling beauty is found in individuality”.
Pearls are often closely associated with sentimentality, passed down through family generations and worn on special occasions – as seen through several members of the royal family, from the current Princess of Wales to the late Queen Elizabeth II. But Pandora’s pieces feel different: less stuffy, more a joyful celebration of self-expression and individuality – the kind of jewellery that should be worn every day; one beautifully imperfect pearl at a time.
