Pearl Necklaces

Golden Necklaces Silver Necklaces Necklaces for Men Necklaces for Women

Pearls used to be something you inherited. Now they are something you wear on a Tuesday.

Dicci's unisex pearl necklaces take freshwater pearls and build them into pieces made for daily use, not for the back of a drawer. Paired with 925 silver or 316L stainless steel, sometimes combined with natural stones for a bit more colour.

Some are a single pearl on a fine chain, discreet enough that you forget you have it on. Others are full strands with real presence. Both work alone, and both layer well with what you already wear.

Handmade in Porto, Portugal.

Why Dicci Pearl Necklaces Are Different

Most pearl necklaces are strung on silk or nylon thread. It looks fine, and it snaps. Ours do not work that way.

A Steel Core, Not Thread

Every Dicci pearl necklace is built around a stainless steel wire running through the centre. It is what makes the difference between a piece that lasts years and one that scatters across the floor the first time it catches on something.

Handmade, One at a Time

Each necklace is assembled by hand here in Porto. That is also why almost every design comes in several lengths rather than one fixed size.

Freshwater Pearls

Real cultured pearls, not glass or resin imitations. Each one differs slightly in shape, tone and lustre, which is the point.

Unisex by Design

Made for men and women, without separate versions of the same idea.

Looking for something else? Browse all necklaces and chains, or go straight to necklaces for men and necklaces for women.

Understanding Pearls Before You Choose

Unlike the minerals in our natural stone necklaces, a pearl is not a stone. It grows inside a living mollusc, layer by layer, over months or years. That is why no two are identical.

Freshwater Cultured Pearls

These are what we use. Grown in mussels in freshwater lakes and rivers, with a small implant placed inside to start the process. They are genuine pearls, formed the same way a wild pearl forms, just with a nudge at the beginning. Wild pearls are effectively unavailable today outside auction houses.

Round, Baroque and Irregular

Perfectly round pearls are the rarest and read most classic. Baroque and irregular pearls have more character, catch light differently, and tend to suit contemporary designs better. Neither is better quality, they are different intentions.

Lustre

Lustre is the depth of the shine, the sense that light is coming from inside the pearl rather than bouncing off it. It is the single clearest marker of a good pearl, and the first thing that gives away an imitation.

Imitation Pearls

Glass, resin or coated plastic beads. Common in fashion jewellery and in some well known pearl brands. Not comparable in weight, texture or the way they age.

Want the full picture? We wrote a detailed guide on the different types of pearls.

How to Tell a Real Pearl From a Fake

Worth knowing before you buy anything from anyone.

Texture. Rub the pearl gently against the edge of your tooth. A real pearl feels slightly gritty. An imitation feels perfectly smooth.
Weight. Real pearls have noticeable weight for their size. Plastic imitations feel light and hollow.
Temperature. Real pearls feel cool when you first pick them up and warm to your skin. Glass stays cold longer, plastic starts at room temperature.
Surface. Look closely and real pearls show tiny irregularities, small ridges or slight variations in shape. Perfect uniformity across an entire strand is a warning sign.
Drill holes. On a real pearl the hole edges are clean and sharp. On coated imitations the coating often flakes or bunches around the opening.

How to Wear Them

Everyday

A single pearl pendant on a short chain works with a t-shirt and does not look like you tried. This is where most of our pieces sit.

Layered

Pair a pearl necklace with a plain silver or steel chain at a different length. The contrast between a smooth chain and irregular pearls does most of the work for you.

Occasions and Weddings

A full strand at 40 to 45cm sits at the collarbone and reads formal without effort. Still the safest choice for a wedding, yours or someone else's.

As a Gift

Pearls carry meaning without being loud about it, which makes them a common choice for anniversaries, graduations and birthdays. If you are unsure about length, the adjustable designs remove the risk.

Choosing the Right Length

Our necklaces run from 40cm to 70cm.

40 to 45cm sits at the base of the neck. Classic, formal, good for a single strand.
50 to 55cm falls just below the collarbone. The most versatile everyday choice.
60cm and above gives room to layer, or to wear over a jumper or shirt.

Not sure? The necklaces size guide walks through how to measure properly. And if none of these works for you, we can make it to your measurement.

Caring for Pearls

Pearls are softer than metal or stone, and they are organic. A few habits make the difference:

Put them on last, after perfume, hairspray and cream
Wipe with a soft dry cloth after wearing
Never use silver polish, ultrasonic cleaners or any cleaning liquid on the pearls
Store flat and separately, not loose against harder pieces
Do not leave them sealed in a box for years, pearls do better with occasional wear

For the metal parts, use the guide that matches your piece: 925 Sterling Silver Care Guide or Stainless Steel Care Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Dicci pearls real?

Yes. We use freshwater cultured pearls, not glass or resin imitations.

Can I get a different length?

Yes. Most designs come in several lengths, and we can make a piece to your exact measurement. Get in touch before ordering.

Will the necklace break easily?

Each necklace is built around a stainless steel wire rather than thread, which makes it considerably harder to snap than a conventionally strung strand.